Hem

The finished edge of a garment, created by folding the fabric under and stitching it. Hemming is the most common alteration, used to adjust the length of pants, sleeves, and jackets.

Category: Fit & Tailoring.

In men's style, "hem" belongs to the Fit & Tailoring family of terminology. For the full A–Z reference of men's fashion and grooming vocabulary, see the Men's Style Glossary.

Related terms

• Dart — A tapered, stitched fold sewn into fabric to shape a garment to the body's contours. Darts are commonly found at the back of dress shirts an…
• Shoulder Seam — The stitched line where the sleeve meets the body of a garment. Proper fit means this seam sits exactly at the edge of your natural shoulder…
• Armhole — The opening in a garment where the sleeve is attached. A higher armhole allows better range of motion and a more tailored look, while a lowe…
• Break — The fold or crease in trouser fabric where the pant leg meets the shoe. A 'full break' creates a noticeable fold, a 'half break' just touche…
• Drop — The difference in inches between a suit jacket size and the matching trouser waist size. A 'six-inch drop' means a size 42 jacket pairs with…
• Inseam — The measurement from the crotch seam to the bottom hem of a pant leg. It determines trouser length and is one of the most important fit meas…