Beauty: The best of both worlds with a dipping hem

Fashion lovers were all excited at the Paris Fashion Week, two weeks ago. Designers from the house of Coco Channel to Yves Saint Laurent all had something new for the season. This time round, it was also something borrowed from the men; the dipping hem. The dipping hem was first worn only in the evening by men as part of the white tie dress code. It became increasingly popular from around the late 1790s and was particularly widespread during the British Regency, and in America in the 1830s to 1850s.This style was spotted by men of substance, crème de la crème of the society. Originally it was known as the tail coats, and is traditionally cut shorter on the sides, with a longer tail at the back. I spotted the dipping hem in 1988 when one of my uncles was getting married-him together with his grooms men, two of whom were my uncles as well-were all dressed in dashing morning coats with a dipping hem! They were very smart and looked very handsome-tall and black, I say they looked every part of royalty!Back to the Paris Fashion Week, from Kanye West to Lindsay Lohan, the Olsen twins and Ciara – all these celebrities were in attendance to check what is in sync with the season in the fashion world and were not disappointed to say the least. The latest item on the block to make a fashion come back, stolen from the men’s fashion was the dipping hem. Well, designers stole this look and incorporated the same into ladies fashion and hence dipping hem in skirts and dresses was realised. On the catwalk we saw; dresses to skirts and also wedding gowns all in dipping hem.What makes the dipping hem so special is the detailing part of it, because it is not easy to mix mini and maxi together and come out with something as beautiful. When it comes to fashion, detail matters a lot. In fact, if a seamstress or tailor does not pay attention to details of the outfit they are making, it will be as good as a no show.This dipping-hem dress is a one-stop solution to chic city dressing. This soft and slouchy style is a versatile outfit - it can be worn on any occasion, paired with a structured jacket, or a cardigan when the weather is chilly. The appeal of a dipping hem is that it’s playful. One side coveys the elegance of length, while the other hints at something more revealing. It can also have the appeal of looking completely effortlessly chic.Have you seen princes William and Harry in their dipping hem in form of a morning coat? They simply look dashing! Men who know their worth make sure they tie the knot wearing morning coats. For the past few seasons, designers have been showing us one of two extremes in the outfits. It’s been either mini skirts or long dresses and skirts. With that said, it only makes sense that the fashion world has come to a compromise. The tail hem is the happy medium between mini and maxi, and it’s the perfect middle of the road solution to the two extremes we’ve become used to. This fresh cut is our new favourite thing about the season -they cover yet they give a lady the little exposure she needs, without going to the extreme of having to wear anything too short or too long.In Paris Christine Centenera was spotted wearing a dipping hem skirt. Also in the celebrity list includes Liz of the famous late afternoon show, and Rumi Neely was also spotted in a dipping hem flowing dress in Coachella The men have also not been left behind either –It is just a little time left before we see the dipping hem in our shops-giving the ladies a little of both worlds and the men a run for their money. kayitesius@yahoo.com

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Beauty: The best of both worlds with a dipping hem