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| Clockwise from above left: Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Nina Ricci, Jason Wu (again) and Isabel Marant demonstrate a high low hemline. |
Do not adjust your computers. A bevy of designers have turned out cock-eyed…er…rather high/low hemlines for S/S2012. Mullet dressing (party up front and business in the back) is when the bottom of a skirt, dress or even a shirt is cut short in front and flows longer in back. This is in not in any way a new trend.
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| Then and now: (Clockwise from above left) Charlize Theron in Dior at the 2012 Golden Globes, Selena Gomez at the 2011 People’s Choice, Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham at a Muhammad Ali event in 2012 and Kristin Cavallari in 2011 on the streets of L.A. |
Way back in January 2011, Selena Gomez wowed in an Irina Shabayeva high low hem dress. A pre-pregnancy Kristin Cavallari was seen sashaying around L.A. in a high low skirt last year. Do we have ourselves a case of the cart following the horse? Not exactly. It’s more a case of reinterpretation of a trend. Designers like Jason Wu, Isabel Marant, Elizabeth & James’ Olsen sisters, Nicole Richie for Winter Kate, Diane von Furstenberg and Nina Ricci’s Peter Copping have incorporated mullet dressing into their versions of current trends like transparency, bohemian dressing and ladylike looks. It’s like blending elements of your grandma’s brownie recipe with Jamie Oliver’s updated version. You get the best of both worlds. It’s a win win choice for the designers since high low hems have been proven to flatter and lengthen any torso. Steer clear of attempting the mini version of this look, as seen at Isabel Marant, if your stems are not pin thin. Be certain you shoes are praiseworthy, since it’s a look that draws eyes downward to the feet. Finally, when riding escalators, be sure to remember that business in back so as to avoid any disastrous wardrobe malfunctions.
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| High low offerings (from top left): Elizabeth and James Marissa dress at www.shopbop.com; Diane von Furstenberg Nascha dress at www.dvf.com; Winter Kate Jezbaa at www.thetrendboutique.com; Jason Wu skirt at www.net-a-porter.com; Winter Kate Kala skirt at www.thetrendboutique.com; Fausto Puglisi dress at www.luisaviaroma.com |
