Asymmetrical hem lines are popping up in stores in the form of tops and dresses. At first glance, I wrote it off as a young, almost-juvenile look but my eye has adjusted. It can be a flattering, breezy Summer style or even an edgy professional look if pulled off well. Below I’ll dissect the trend and offer in-store choices.
Dresses & Skirts
The most common asymmetrical dresses I’m seeing in stores are lightweight Summer options perfect for beach vacations or hot weather. They tend to be casual and range from super short to long, maxi-length dresses and from sophisticated black or neutral options to bright, happy colors and prints (which look great with nude shoes!). Most women can pull of this look with the right cut and fit, though long legs will look better in the longer skirted versions. If you are petite or have proportionally shorter legs, you can add wedges or heels to compensate.
Professional options: If you’re looking for an asymmetrical dress or skirt to wear to work, consider the following:
- Make sure the shortest part of the hemline is long enough to be work appropriate.
- The flowy nature of many asymmetrical skirts make them look more casual. Opt for a blazer or jacket to offset the casualness.
- Choose a thicker fabric with a more structured fit.
Shirts or Sweaters
Again there are casual options and more structured options when it comes to asymmetrical tops. Important fit issues to consider:
- The key to making this a flattering look is to ensure that the widest part of the shirt/sweater doesn’t hit you at your widest, especially if you are bottom heavy.
- Conversely, if you find a top which widest part hits you at your natural waist, it can make you look thinner.
- If you find a top you love, but the waist isn’t well-defined, add a cropped blazer to define your waistline.
- You can also wear asymmetrical tops with skirts. See the first 2 options below as examples.
My verdict: I like the airy dresses/tops for hot weather, but Seattle’s Summers are too short to really make that look useful. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a cozy, asymmetrical sweater for this Fall so I can get more wear out of the look.