We all know what a mullet is right? Some of us may even be wearing one right now. As the saying goes, “business in the front, party in the back!” Or you could describe this look as a hairstyle that’s short in the front, top and sides, but long in the back. Asymmetrical also comes to mind when speaking of things that are not arranged in a symmetrical way. When it comes to fashion, this “mullet look” is known as the “high-low trend.”

In many cases the high-low trend would mean a slightly shorter hem in the front of a dress or skirt and as it winds its way to the back of the garment it gets longer. Most garments that employ this effect are cut quite full and flowing. The effect has also been called a “water fall” by some designers. Another interpretation could be the one-shouldered dress or blouse, which would also have an asymmetrical hem. These can be a great way to point out your shoulders and arms if they’re “gun show” worthy!

This trend, like many others, is far from new. We can trace the origins of the short-to-long hem to the Victorian era when dresses had trains that dragged along on the floor. If the skirt of the dress were more form fitting above the knee the dress would then be dubbed the “fishtail” or even the “mermaid” for its resemblance to the aquatic creatures. It then reappeared in the 1950’s with Christian Dior, and again in the 80’s with its over-the-top fashion aesthetic. In recent years it can be traced to some of the 2011 spring and summer collections in both the U.S. and Europe, where it received mixed reviews.

Lumped into this category could also be the asymmetrical peplum trend. What is a peplum, you ask? A peplum is a garment where a smaller skirt-like piece is attached to an otherwise more fitted dress or skirt at the waistline, so that it just skims the hips. This can be a great solution for the thin girl who wants to look curvier, but can only spell disaster for those trying to minimize their problem areas.

The high-low is also a great way to show off your legs, and since they usually skim the hips they can help camouflage not-so-perfect torsos. Look for lightweight cottons, knits and silks to keep the light and breezy vibe going. Just remember, that while these looks are not the most flattering for all women, when done right and approached with an open mind, they can be quite lovely!

No matter what you’re looking for you’ll always get some great ideas at great prices at Goodwill! So just make sure to keep an eye out for one of these unique pieces of the fashion puzzle. You might find a blouse with a lop-sided hem, or maybe even a skirt. Perhaps you’ll find a flowing dress that could be re-hemmed to bring it up-to-date and off kilter. It’s all good at Goodwill!