Hemline Hassle - I'd love your input! - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Hemline Hassle - I'd love your input!

Arya

(website)

I love a lot about this dress - the fabric, the drape, the color, the neckline. I am not, however, in love with the handkerchief hemline. I'm not sure if it needs to be shortened (I'm only 5'2", and the dress didn't come in petite sizes) or if it's just not a good line for me. Or, perhaps I'm just not used to it...

I would love your input. I have a great tailor and wouldn't mind getting it shortened if that will make it less "swallow me up" where it ends.

Incidentally, it's a linen jersey from Eileen Fisher's early summer offerings. I (mostly) love it and really wish I wanted to wear it more often!

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Arya

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm not sure it's hem line that's causing the problem. I think it looks cute the length it is, but it needs help more in the midsection range to give it some shape. Have you tried belting it?

The color looks great on you and the sandals are a great touch!

Parsley

Veteran

It's really pretty as is! I like the length, and the handkerchief hem, and I don't think it should be shortened. Maybe you're just not used to it?

You look great in that shade of blue! A nice, breezy, simple, flattering summer dress like that is hard to come by. If I were you I'd wear it all the time!

Diana

Veteran

I really like it as is!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like it as is, too.

JR

Veteran

Another vote for leaving it as is. If you shorten it (just an inch or so), don't change the line of the hem. It's fantastic! Now go out and wear the heck out of it while we still have some summer left.

I just wish her stuff was in my price range. I would love this dress!

Lantana

Veteran

Please don't change a thing. The integrity of the piece is perfect. It and you look very pretty together. If you like the idea of some waist definition you could try a narrow silver belt. I envisage a silver filament that lies at the waist, rather than cinching it in. Do you think a lighter, strappier pair of shoes would suit the dress better?

Traci

Veteran

I agree that the hemline is fine. Instead of a belt I'd add a jacket or vest for shape.

merwoman

Veteran

You look radiant in this dress! Hemline looks great. I love pic 2 more than pic 1 - and I think it's because you have your hand on your waist giving a little more definition. So I'm in agreement with Kristen that perhaps the midsection could be improved - maybe thru belting, taking the seam in slightly, or as Traci has suggested adding a jacket.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the hemline and the color of the dress is gorgeous. Please enjoy it - it looks great on you.

Glory

Veteran

I love this on you the way it is. However, if you are not sure perhaps you could try pinning it straight on the hem and take another picture and see if that feels better for you.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for the hemline being okay - I also think that more definition along the middle may be better; have you considered a 1" thick or so ... belt?

Thistle

Veteran

I think the dress is very lovely on you and the hemline is fine.

Could you try it with a belt or structured jacket and take another picture?

Arya

(website)

Okay, I'll try it with belts and/or a fitted jacket and see if that helps. I'll post photos on this thread, probably Tuesday or Wednesday (work days for me). Thanks for your input!

Jem

Veteran

I also agree with taking it in a bit at the waistline. Besides that, I like it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

What a pretty colour on you Arya! I think the length of the dress is perfect as is and wouldn't change it.

sarah

Veteran

I definitely would keep the hemline as is. It's lovely on you!

jayne

Veteran

sorry, odd man out. I think the hemline is wide and overwhelming...It possible, go for a regular high low hem, in other words, get rid of the scarf effect but leave the length in back From the side it was flattering. What do you have to lose? You don't wear it, right?

Deborah

Veteran

Phew, I was concerned I am in the minority, but I was thinking the same as Jayne.
Have the sides taken in a a little and create a high low hemline.

Scarlet

Veteran

From the front I like the length, but from the side it does look a little too long. I would suggest taking it up a couple inches all around to preserve the shape of the hem. I think the amount of waist definition is up to you. This is a definite look as is. Beautiful color!

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm the third with Jayne and Deborah. I almost didn't post because I thought I was the only one who wasn't in love. I think it is a little overwhelming for you past the waistline. You are clearly very slender, and it has so much volume below the waist. I'm worried that something more fitted on top will only make that worse. On the plus side, it is breezy and loose. I wonder if a little tapering along the hem from the waist down would work so that it was still flowing, but a little less overwhelming.

I'm hoping that Ironkurtin and Angie will weigh in on this. I'd love to see what their expert eyes say (Ironkurtin because she wears EF so well, and Angie because, well, she's Angie!).

Arya

(website)

Jayne, Deborah, and K..., I agree with the sense of overabundance from the waist down. I tried with a belt last night and it helps, but it just seems like there's too much fabric, especially at the sides of the skirt. Again, I'll post pics so everyone can see and chime in, but I like the idea of bringing in some of the excess so that I don't look like one of those crochet toilet paper cover dolls.

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Arya

(website)

I posted photos of a belted version in a new thread.