lower the hem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower the hem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing alterations to clothing, specifically to make the hemline shorter. Example: "I decided to lower the hem of my dress to give it a more modern look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They will lower the hem.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Place this hem onto the sewing machine and carefully lower the needle into it, holding this hem in place.

WikiHow

The waist on his elegant suits (double-breasted pinstripes, khaki cotton, rusty-colored corduroy) looked a little lower, and the hems were a little higher, revealing a bit of red socks.

The New York Times

It means that the target is lower than pants, the hem of which, while not on the ground, is often near the ground and, again, unclean.

The New York Times

By Roger Angell September 20, 2011 Mariano Rivera's ninth inning in the Bronx on Monday afternoon was eventless, as planned: three Minnesota Twins batters up and three retired, the last, Chris Parmelee, on a called-third-strike cutter, delivered a fraction above the lower hem of the strike zone.

The New Yorker

Turn the shirt inside-out and make sure the lower hem is at the top.

WikiHow

Versace circumnavigated the model and then told the seamstress she'd like the hem lowered one inch.

The New York Times

So in his fifth collection, Mr. Rousteing made a change of pace, although the clothes still shouted loudly of money and what the designer took as a lowered skirt hem might be anyone else's mini.

The New York Times

The meʿil was a sleeveless robe of purple the lower hem of which had a fringe of small gold bells alternating with pomegranate tassels in red, scarlet, purple, and violet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She will lower hems and raise necklines to satisfy clients, but has found that the pieces encourage them to take risks.

The New Yorker

Using scissors, remove the lower hem.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to alter clothing, be specific about the desired length change to avoid miscommunication.

Common error

Avoid using technical terms without explanation when speaking to someone unfamiliar with sewing. Instead of saying "lower the hem", you might say "make the dress a bit longer" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower the hem" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of lengthening a garment by adjusting its hemline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is both grammatically correct and usable in English, especially within the context of tailoring or fashion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lower the hem" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the process of lengthening an article of clothing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate and well-understood, particularly in fashion-related contexts. While it may not be an everyday expression, its meaning is clear, and it effectively communicates the action of extending a garment's hemline. Its primary contexts are News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternative phrases, such as "lengthen the skirt" or "adjust the dress length", can be used for clarity depending on the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make the hem shorter

Directly states the intention to reduce the hem length.

reduce the hem length

Similar to 'make the hem shorter' but slightly more formal.

readjust the hemline

Suggests the hem was previously adjusted and is being changed again.

alter the garment's hem

More formal and technical way of saying the hem is being changed.

shorten the skirt

Focuses on shortening a skirt, which implies adjusting the hem.

adjust the dress length

Broader term referring to changing the length of a dress, which includes hem adjustment.

drop the skirt's hem

Specifically refers to making a skirt longer.

raise the hemline

Implies shortening the garment by moving the hem up.

let down the hem

Opposite action, implying the hem is being made longer.

lengthen the garment

General term for making a garment longer, which could involve the hem.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lower the hem" of a garment?

To "lower the hem" means to lengthen a piece of clothing by adjusting the bottom edge, or hem, downwards.

What's the opposite of "lower the hem"?

The opposite of "lower the hem" is to "raise the hem", which means to shorten the garment.

When would you need to "lower the hem" of a skirt or dress?

You might need to "lower the hem" if the garment is too short, if you want a more modest look, or if you want to update the style to match current trends.

What are some alternative ways to say "lower the hem"?

Alternatives include "lengthen the skirt", "extend the hemline", or simply "make the dress longer".