Hemline Heaven

Hemlines are a tricky thing. Just an inch too short or an inch too long can completely throw off the proportions of your body. This is why including tailoring in the price of your garment is a necessity. Do not think of it as the aggravating extra $20 on top of what you already paid, think of it as what makes you look like a million bucks. I cannot stress the importance of a perfect hemline!

Example number 1: Wearing pants that are too short will actually shorten and widen your legs. I have heard of a lot of fads in my day, but fattening one’s legs has never been one of them. There is certainly such a thing as ankle length pants, but there is a huge difference between pants that are too short and a “style”. Be sure you and your tailor know the difference.

On a positive note, if your flare and wider leg pants are hemmed just above the floor, you can look long and lean. This means that there should be a slight break in the front and they should be as long as possible in the back without dragging on the floor. Longer pants equal longer legs. Remember, you cannot hem a pair of pants for both flats and heels, you must pick one or the other. The only time this is even possibly an option is with kitten heels (very, very small) to flats. Otherwise, it is time to make a decision ladies!

With a skinnier leg, you cannot go as long because your foot becomes suffocated. The added bonus of this style is that you can see some of your shoes! Those things are expensive and deserve a chance to shine! For the hemline on these, you should go as long as possible before the pant leg begins to stretch. This usually means about half way down your foot. Show off your shoes!

With skirts, hemlines can often be one’s ultimate demise. Sounds scary, but with just one inch, the garment can swallow your entire body and help to lose its shape. For most women, the safest length is just above the knee. This works on all heights, shapes and sizes. It keeps the body in a classic hourglass shape. Appearances can be everything and an inappropriate hemline can immediately ruin your look. Just play in the mirror for a second by folding up a longer hemline and see how quickly your entire shape can change! It is the cheapest miracle in town.

This length is only possible on the lucky, few women who are very tall and very skinny. If you are not within this range, this hemline will instantly make you look dowdy and old. Looking like a nun has never really been chic and I don’t personally see the trend making its way to the forefront of fashion any time soon. Truthfully, even for the tall, skinny women of the world, unless the skirt is an extreme pencil style, it truly isn’t that flattering. My vote, stay away!

And finally, the mini. So scary and so fun at the same time! There is a bit of an age limit on short skirts and pushing your hemline too high can give you instant cougar status. Not something this stylist is aiming to do! If you are in shape, you can really rock this look until about 35. Adding opaque tights and boots give it an even longer life because you are toning down your bottom half and covering up appropriately.

So, no matter who you are, where you live or what you do, find a fabulous tailor. One of my favorite taglines (yes, I have them) is that a tailor is like a good (cheap) surgeon. He or she can instantly give your wardrobe a boost without ever setting foot into a store!