Who Wears Short Shorts??

Shorts are, at least for me the single most perilous fashion item known to man. There are about ten million ways to do shorts wrong. Either they're too long, too short, too baggy, too tight, too bright or just plain wrong. Shorts are a fashion gamble and when you factor in things like dress shorts and retailers' penchant for creating new short items just in time for summer (the dreaded skort anyone) it can be hard to know just what's right let alone what's in.


Short looks at Alberta Ferretti & Adam + Eve

General rules:

Keep it simple is the best overall rule when it comes to shorts. I find solid colors are generally more appealing but if you want to do prints choose something larger and more graphic. Tiny floral prints can look too childish but large black and white print or even the preppy classic madras can be stylish with the right outfit. Stay away from overdone embellishment, the less fabric there is the simpler your shorts should be. The focus overall should be your legs, not the shorts themselves.

Most importantly experiment and try things on. Don't just say "oh I could never wear _____" make sure to at least give it a shot before you rule it out entirely. You may just surprise yourself, for the longest time I wouldn't wear white or khaki shorts and now they're one of my favorite things on earth come summer time.

Bermudas:

Bermuda shorts usually conjure images of golf shoes and long socks but they can be incredibly stylish with the right look. Something has to be said for a longer short length. I find that bermudas can look really dressy if they're done in chic material or paired with elegant accessories. Throw on some heels and a light jacket with your bermudas and you can wear them to work. Pair them with a flowy top and this seasons gladiator sandals and you have a great day outfit. Anything goes with these. That said I would avoid some of the baggier styles for bermuda shorts, look for a great cut whether you're going for a looser or form fitting pair.

Short Shorts:

Hotpants are what we call underwear thats covered in glitter. Just say no. There really ought to be a 12 step hotpants anon program during the summer for repeat offenders, I'm looking at you La Lohan. That said a good pair of shorts with a shorter length can be very appealing, if you've got great legs there is no reason why you shouldn't show them off. The main thing to watch out for is length, you never want to verge into "I left my pants at home" territory. Also keep in mind the fit, short + form fitting might be too much, short shorts with a looser fit look fresher and more modern.

Denim:

Jean shorts always make me think of that, regrettable time in middle school when I thought I could DIY all my jeans into shorts for the summer. As someone who is not particularly handy with a pair of scissors, I quickly learned that this was a mistake. Cutoffs aside denim shorts can look very casual and cute. Watch out for extraneous elements like embellishment and oversized pockets which can make your shorts look overdone or just plain tacky. Experiment with different washes just like you would with regular jeans. Just because its denim doesn't mean it has to be plain old blue.

What To Wear Them With:

And now the fun part. There are about a million ways to wear shorts but some fun ideas that are very cute and very now are:

- Romantic: Fall's long tunics move into summer when paired with shorts. Plus the longer silhouette looks great skimming over a nice pair.

- Nautical: The tried and true seafaring look is still in and white shorts go great with all those black and navy stripes.

- Preppy: Some of us never truly gave up those Lacoste polo shirts and Brooks Brother's button downs. Shorts are essential for that "I summer in the Hamptons" look. Try them with a cardigan and camisole something very Ralph Lauren.

- Elegant: Heels, structured blouse, and effortless accessories like a timeless bag and dangling earrings make for a beautiful classic outfit.

How do you like to wear your shorts once the weather gets warm? I'm all about the dressy bermudas with a good pair of wedges.