What Do You Call a Dress That's Short in the Front and Long in the Back?

Updated October 2026 by the MsDressly editorial team.

What a High-Low Dress Looks Like

A high-low dress is defined by its asymmetric hemline: the front hem sits anywhere from mid-thigh to just above the knee, while the back hem drops to the calf, ankle, or even floor. From the side, the fabric sweeps downward in a diagonal or curved line, creating that signature dipped silhouette.

Key visual identifiers include a flowing or gathered back skirt, a hem that starts high at the center front, and movement — the longer back panels are designed to trail and flutter as you walk.

Why It's Called a High-Low Dress

The name is literal: the hem is high in the front, low in the back. Fashion writers have jokingly nicknamed it the "mullet dress" — short in front, long in back — the same shorthand people use for the haircut. You'll also see it described as a dipped hem or asymmetric hem dress in product listings, since those terms describe the same cut.

The term became standard fashion vocabulary over the past two decades and now appears across evening wear, casual sundresses, bridesmaid dresses, and formal gowns alike.

High-Low vs. Mullet Hem vs. Asymmetric Hem

These terms overlap heavily, but there are small distinctions:

• High-low dress: the umbrella term — any hem that's shorter in front, longer in back.
• Mullet hem dress: the exact same silhouette, using the playful haircut comparison. If a retailer calls it this, the shape is identical.
• Asymmetric hem dress: a broader category. A high-low hem is one type of asymmetry, but this label can also mean one-sided slits, diagonal hems, or handkerchief points.
• Waterfall hem: a softer variation where the back falls in gentle, cascading layers rather than one clean curve.

When shopping, search both "high-low" and "asymmetric hem" to see the widest range of options.

High-Low Dress vs. Maxi Dress

The two are often confused because a high-low dress looks like a maxi from behind. The difference is simple: a maxi dress has a full-length hem all the way around, while a high-low dress exposes the legs in front. If you can see the knees or thighs when facing forward, it's a high-low; if the fabric reaches the floor on every side, it's a maxi.

A high-low gives you the elegance and coverage of a long dress with the ease of a short one — which is exactly why so many shoppers ask what it's called.

Variations and Related Styles

Once you know the term, these related silhouettes are worth knowing too:

• Waterfall hem: cascading, tiered layers at the back instead of a single dipped edge.
• High-low skirt: the same concept as a separate skirt, easy to pair with a fitted top.
• Asymmetric midi: a subtler version where the front-to-back difference is only a few inches.
• Handkerchief hem: pointed, cornered layers rather than a smooth curve — related, but visually distinct.

If you love the dipped effect on dresses, browsing the short sets and curated picks in Picked for you collections is an easy way to find pieces with similar leg-lengthening lines.

Fabrics and Construction

High-low hems work best in light, fluid fabrics — chiffon, georgette, crepe, satin, and soft jersey — because these drape into that sweeping diagonal line. Structured cotton or brocade versions hold a more architectural, sculpted shape.

Construction details to check before buying: whether the back hem is lined (sheer chiffon backs often aren't), how the seam between front and back is finished (a rolled or French hem signals quality), and whether the front length hits where you want it — "high" can mean anything from a mini to just above the knee.

How to Wear and Style a High-Low Dress

The high-low hem is one of the most versatile dress shapes because it reads as short from the front and formal from the back. That makes it a natural choice for weddings, graduations, cocktail parties, and summer events where you want polish without a floor-length gown.

• Shoes: heels and wedges let the front hem do its leg-lengthening work; flats work best on midi-length versions.
• Layers: a cropped jacket or fitted cardigan keeps the hemline visible; long open layers can swallow the silhouette.
• Occasions: shorter fronts skew casual or cocktail, while sweeping floor-length backs suit formal and evening events.

Because the cut shows the legs while covering the back of the thighs and calves, many wearers find it one of the most comfortable "dressy" silhouettes — but the only rule that matters is that you like how it looks on you.

How to Shop for a High-Low Dress

When browsing, use the search terms "high-low dress," "asymmetric hem dress," and "dipped hem" — retailers tag the same silhouette under all three. Check the product photos from the side view, since that's where the high-low shape is most visible, and confirm the front length in the size chart rather than assuming "high" means mini.

If you're building a warm-weather wardrobe around leg-skimming silhouettes, the Short Sets collection and everyday pieces like the strawberry pink ribbed short set pair well with the high-low look. MsDressly offers free shipping when buying 2 or more items, or on orders over US$80.