A reader asked me if “round adds pounds” why do you say curved hems are more flattering? Aren’t curved hems round and therefore shouldn’t be more slimming than straight ones?
So I thought I’d make up this really simple graphic that shows the difference between the two options: a horizontal hem and a curved or rounded hem.
Curved hems not only remove an often unflattering horizontal detail from outfits, but hems usually sit near wider points of your body, further visually broadening them as well as drawing attention to them (particularly when you have a change of colour like I do in the image above), they also help to cover your tummy whilst making your legs appear longer.
Now I know that not everyone cares about figure flattery or looking slimmer, so this is a piece of advice you can take or leave. Still, I also know that many women feel better when they feel that their bodies are in harmony with their clothing and that they have features they want deemphasized.
So many women who feel self-conscious of their hips/thighs/bottom pull down their tops, thinking that they are covering this area, when in fact what they are doing is highlighting it as we look for horizontal lines as they make us feel balanced, and so grab attention and focus it on the hemline.
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Great article with pictures reinforcing conclusions. Clearly a picture does speak a thousand words!
How do you feel about asymmetric hems? For myself, if they end around high hip, are higher on the sides, then I can still minimize my hip. Still struggle with those that hang low on one side but high on the other. Is that just perception or is there more to it?
I love an asymmetrical hem too – if it’s down on your right up on your left it will be the most flattering as it creates an upwards diagonal line.
I’ve lost count of the number of hems I’ve curved and side seams I’ve ruched since reading your post on altering clothes to be more flattering. Such minor changes make an enormous difference. This was but one of the many lightbulb moments I’ve experience discovering your blog, participating in EYS and having you do a colour analysis for me.