What is your Hemline?

Look fashion forward this season, by scampering away from simple straight across hemlines and walk out in scallops!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Rachel Breaux

Look fashion forward this season, by scampering away from simple straight across hemlines and walk out in scallops! When we think about hemlines in fashion, it typically refers to how high or short they are. But this season, it has much more to do with what the style is of the hemlines itself. Scalloped hemlines look like half circles across the bottom or top of your garment. It adds a level of playfulness and ascetic eccentricity to your ensemble. Designers have been playing with scallops in a variety of different ways. Herve Leger, French fashion house established by HerveLeroux, took his dress he became famous for, the bodycon, and added a bright coral colour and scallop hemline across the entire dress, including around the bottom hemline, scoop neckline and razorback hemline. American designer Trina Turk took the scallop design throughout her dress piece, not only giving it a scalloped hem, but allowing the scallop design to replicate like stripes in varying colours down the front of the dress. Fashion noble Lanvin, crafted a beautiful sandal, with scallop straps that lay across the foot. Stella McCartney, daughter of Paul McCartney the last living member of the musical sensation the Beatles, designed a gorgeous white sheath dress with high neckline and mid-length scallop hem. The muses of fashion have been seen wearing this lovely trend. Chloe Sevigny, an American actress and model established as a fashion icon, dressed in a long satin beige blazer and matching scallop flowy shorts. She paired her outfit with a black leather clutch and simple strapped sandals. English actress and model Sienna Miller was seen in a white scalloped romper with a black cardigan and black oxfords. While fashion queen Victoria Beckham combined the look with the neon trend, and wore a high scalloped neckline dress with neon pink and black colour-blocking, with sky high black Christian Louboutin leather heels. The dress is a design in Victoria’s collection, and has turned into a "must have” dress for many celebrity adorers. Because scallops add a playful undertone to an outfit, make sure to pair with more sophisticated elements for a positive contrast. Keep your outfit under three colours, and minimize your accessories. Scallops, especially scallop shorts, look best in softer fabrics like satin and silk. The scallop also looks great when paired with a blazer. That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way.