Definition

Noun: The line formed by the lower edge of a garment, such as a skirt, dress, or coat.

Usage

The term "hemline" specifically refers to the visible edge or border of a garment. It is most commonly used when discussing fashion, tailoring, and clothing styles. The height or position of the hemline (e.g., knee-length, ankle-length) is a key element of a garment's design and style.

Examples

• The hemline of her dress was just above the knee.
• Fashion designers often change the preferred hemline each season.
• She asked the tailor to raise the hemline by two inches.

Advanced Usage

• "Hemline theory": A humorous, non-scientific economic theory suggesting that stock market trends correlate with the rising and falling of skirt hemlines in fashion.
  • According to hemline theory, a rising market coincides with shorter skirts.

Variants and Related Words

• Hem (noun/verb): The edge of a piece of cloth that is turned under and stitched down. "Hem" is the action or the finished border itself, while "hemline" is the line created by that border.
  • She learned to hem her own trousers. The hem was coming undone.

Synonyms

• Border
• Edge
• Lower edge

Idioms and Phrases

• Hemline length: A common phrase used to describe how long or short a garment is.
  • The appropriate hemline length for the office is often debated.

Noun

1. the line formed by the lower edge of a skirt or coat