hemline

IPA/ˈhemlaɪn/
KK[hˈɛmlˌaɪn]IPA/ˈhemlaɪn/

hemline — noun

  • hemlinesingular
  • hemlinesplural

1. the spot at the lower end of a piece of clothing such as a skirt, dress, or coat

1.nounB1
Definition

the spot at the lower end of a piece of clothing such as a skirt, dress, or coat, where the fabric is turned inwards and sewn. People also use this word to describe how far down the body this sewn edge sits — for instance, a 'high hemline' means the garment is short.

Example

Iris decided to shorten the hemline of her dress for the summer party.

collocation: shorten/raise the hemline

Fashion experts say that hemlines this season are longer than last year.

hemline as a fashion-trend indicator

Common collocations
  • raise the hemline
  • lower the hemline
  • shorten the hemline
  • lengthen the hemline
  • short hemline
  • long hemline
  • uneven hemline
  • straight hemline
  • hemline goes up
  • hemline comes down
Synonyms
  • hem

    broader term — refers to any folded and sewn edge on any garment or fabric, not just the bottom edge describing length

  • skirt length

    non-technical term that only describes how long or short a skirt is, not the sewn edge itself

Usage Note

Common in fashion discussions about skirt and dress lengths over time — hemlines can 'go up' (get shorter) or 'come down' (get longer) as trends change. The word is also used with trousers and coats, though 'hem' is the broader term for any folded edge.

Common Mistakes

I need to fix the hemline of my shirt collar.
I need to fix the hemline of my skirt.
'hemline' refers to the bottom edge of a garment (skirt, dress, coat, trousers), not the collar or cuffs.
The hemline of my sleeve is torn.
The hem of my sleeve is torn.
For sleeves, collars, and cuffs, use 'hem' instead of 'hemline'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Both 'hemline' and 'hem' refer to the edge of a garment where the fabric is folded and sewn, but they are used differently. 'Hem' is the general term — every piece of clothing has hems (at the sleeves, collar, cuffs, and bottom edge). 'Hemline' is more specific: it only describes the bottom edge of a skirt, dress, coat, or pair of trousers, and it often focuses on the position or length of that edge. 'Skirt length' is a non-technical term that simply tells you how long a skirt is (mini, midi, or maxi), without referring to the sewing or the edge itself. In fashion journalism, 'hemline' is the preferred word for discussing trends: 'Hemlines are rising this spring' sounds natural, while 'Skirt lengths are rising' works but is less precise. Use 'hem' for any sewn edge, 'hemline' for the position or length of the bottom edge, and 'skirt length' for a plain measurement.

hemline ↗hem ↗skirt length

Common collocations

Nouns

  • hemline length
  • hemline height
  • hemline trend
  • hemline position

Phrases

  • hemline goes up
  • hemline comes down
  • hemline rises
  • hemline falls

Prepositions

  • at the hemline
  • above the hemline
  • below the hemline

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'hemline' is a compound of 'hem' (the edge of a piece of cloth, from Old English 'hemm', meaning a border) and 'line' (from Old English 'line', meaning a cord or row). It entered English in the mid-1700s as a tailor's term for the line created by the bottom edge of a garment.

First known use

1923

1923, in the meaning defined above