This month in the journal

Party Dresses: How to Pick the Right Cut, Length and Fabric

The right party dress depends on three choices: the occasion's formality, the cut that suits your shoulders and waist, and a fabric that holds its shape after hours of wear. Start with the dress code, then narrow the cut, then check the length against your shoes.

Read the party dress guide

Hemline Journal is a style journal for people who want to dress well without spending the morning deciding. Each guide covers one decision in depth: how a party dress should fall, how a jumpsuit should fit, how to read a dress code, or how to measure yourself for a size chart.

Every guide includes a practical tool you can use while you read: a finder, a checklist, a calculator or a short quiz. The main points also appear in plain text, so you can read them on any device.

Party

Party Dresses: How to Pick the Right Cut, Length and Fabric

Choose a party dress by occasion, cut, length and fabric. A practical guide with an interactive finder and fit notes for evenings out.

Daywear

Daywear Capsule: Nine Pieces That Work From Desk to Dinner

Build a daywear capsule of nine pieces that mix into dozens of outfits. Includes a capsule checklist that counts your possible outfits.

Tops

Black Choker Top: Six Ways to Wear It Well

Six ways to wear a black choker top, from office to evening, with a picker that suggests bottoms, layers and jewellery for your occasion.

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits That Fit: How to Choose Rise, Leg Width and Fabric

How to pick a jumpsuit that fits: rise, leg width, fabric drape and waist. Includes a fit checker that suggests the cut for your proportions.

Dresses

Bardot Dresses: Choosing the Neckline, Fit and Occasion

Bardot dresses explained: how the off-shoulder neckline fits, which bodices suit which occasions, and a side-by-side comparison of neckline types.

Beauty

A Ten-Minute Beauty Routine That Holds Up All Week

A simple ten-minute beauty routine: cleanse, treat, moisturise and protect. Includes a routine builder that totals the time and the steps you need.

Guides

Dress Codes Decoded: Black Tie, Cocktail, Smart Casual and More

What black tie, cocktail, smart casual, business casual and festive attire really mean, with examples and a flashcard quiz to test yourself.

Guides

Wedding Guest Outfits for Daytime, Evening and Garden Weddings

What to wear to a wedding as a guest: outfits by time of day, venue and season, with a checker that lists what to confirm before you shop.

Guides

How to Measure Yourself for Dresses and Jumpsuits

Measure bust, waist, hip and length correctly, then use the size calculator to find the size range to start with for dresses and jumpsuits.