What's your hemline story this season?

Mumbai: Playing it straight can be boring. A bit of a twist and twirl can spell both sartorial fun and a stylish daring edge. Check out some of the happening hemline stories of the season.

While international designers like Prabal Gurung Josh Goot, Vanessa Bruno and Helmut Lang are directing the trend towards the asymmetrical route, their Indian counterparts are vouching for it too. Designer Shantanu Goenka opines, “Asymmetrical is definitely the call of the season. Not just the red carpet evening gowns, but also the casual summer outfits are now endorsing the asymmetrical hemlines. At the moment, it is enjoying an easy existence on maxis, midis and short dresses.

"To add a little oomph, go for one shoulder deconstructed midi with ruffle-like asymmetrical placements in the bottom section. A nice way to highlight the hem is adding a border in contrasting shades. A printed skirt in asymmetrical hemline is also just the right way to take your S/S ’14 fashion forward.”

Go for soft flowy fabrics or work on sheers to play up the uneven effect. The tail hem has been classified as a big winner of the season. A timeless piece of fashion, it has re-emerged with a considerable presence at the Golden Globe Awards red carpet with Dior gowns with elaborate tail hems ruling the roost.

Designer Debarun Mukherjee finds them picture perfect, and says, “Explore the variety of rear elongations. You can opt for a hem cut at an angle or go for a more stylised version where the asymmetric hem is shaped like the petals of a flower. Another exciting option is a contrast in the front and rear lengths of the outfit. In the front, the hemline can ride well above the knee while at the back it can travel to ankle length. A tail hem scores high for its feminine grace; however, for a more casual take, introduce a tail hem on your shirt and tunic dresses.”

Designer Farhana Choudhury offers an excellent tip to balance the conventional and contemporary angles of the hemline story: “For those who are not bold enough to raise the hemline, gorgeous nets and laces can come for their rescue — they do the job in style. A sheer lace panel accentuates the attire and also adds a creative flair at the hemline — it can be the same shade as the dress or of a different hue for a play of colour contrast. However, if the outfit is already embellished, then make sure the hem shade is subtle and light. And definitely make sure you keep it unequal this season.”