hemline
Garment's lower border
A hemline is the lower edge of a garment, especially a skirt or dress, where the hem falls: Hemlines rose dramatically in the 1960s.
The term often refers to where that edge sits on the body—at the knee, mid-thigh, or ankle.
Fashion commentary frequently tracks hemlines as cultural indicators.
Waist-hung lower garment
- dressSkirted one-piece garment
- gownLong formal garment
- tunicLoose hip-length top
- coatOuter garment or layer
jacket · blouse · shorts · culottes · jumpsuit · kaftan · sarong · kilt
Small-scale version
- midiMid-calf garment length
- maxiAnkle-reaching garment style
- knee-lengthReaching the leg's bend
- ankle-lengthExtending to the foot
floor-length · tea-length · micro · inches · centimeters · measurement · proportion · fitting
Joined fabric edge
- stitchThread loop in fabric
- alterationAct of modifying
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
sewing · dart · baste · gusset · godet · scallops · frayed · inseam
Paved path for planes
- coutureCustom high-fashion design
- designerOne who plans appearances
- collectionGathered set of items
- voguePrevailing popular style
trendsetter · catwalk · seasonal · avant-garde · retro · zeitgeist · forecasting · trendsetting
Extent of inclusion
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- demureModestly reserved in manner
decency · dress code · appropriateness · formality · workplace · religious · cultural · traditional
skirt
Waist-hung lower garment
coat · jacket · blouse · shorts · culottes · jumpsuit · kaftan · sarong · kilt · cheongsam
mini
Small-scale version
- midiMid-calf garment length
- maxiAnkle-reaching garment style
- knee-lengthReaching the leg's bend
ankle-length · floor-length · tea-length · micro · inches · centimeters · measurement · proportion · fitting · cut
seam
Joined fabric edge
- stitchThread loop in fabric
- alterationAct of modifying
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
seamstress · sewing · dart · baste · gusset · godet · scallops · frayed · inseam · facing
runway
Paved path for planes
- coutureCustom high-fashion design
- designerOne who plans appearances
- collectionGathered set of items
vogue · trendsetter · catwalk · seasonal · avant-garde · retro · zeitgeist · forecasting · trendsetting · mainstream
coverage
Extent of inclusion
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
demure · decency · dress code · appropriateness · formality · workplace · religious · cultural · traditional · reserve
pencil
Graphite writing instrument
circle · straight · fitted · draping · contour · shape · outline · form · structure · flow
- fashion termsstyle, fashion week, runway, catwalk, runway shows
- patternmakingsloper, pattern blocks, drafting, pattern paper, grainline
- fashionfashion, clothing, apparel, attire, garment
- Fashion Designpattern making, draping, sketching, tailoring, couture
- fashion conceptstrend, style, chic, elegance, glamour
- lingerie partsunderwire, cups, straps, band, closure
hemlinefloor-length
Extending to the ground
maxi · full-length · ankle-length · mini