I’m totally obsessed with shorts right now. I’m blaming the crazy weather we’re having here; it’s already been in the 80s more days than I can count. And it’s not even May yet. Help.
I spent years refusing to wear shorts, because … well, I can’t really explain why, but I’m also pretty sure I don’t have to, right? Because I know you all get it. And while I’m still a huge fan of skirts and dresses for warm days, I’m really liking my shorts right now. A lot.
All of the running has made me feel better about my legs, for one thing, plus it seems kind of silly to wear shorts to run but not to do anything else. But I’m also loving the way I’m seeing shorts styled these days, with cute blouses and jackets and lots of great jewelry. I’m still opposed to dressy shorts (shorts, by definition, are casual and that’s the end of the discussion) but I don’t think that casual has to equal schleppy. At all.
I’ve been pairing my shorts with a chambray blazer and a striped tee, or with a chunky sweater and a thin cotton scarf. I have a fun pair of bright green shorts that I’m planning to wear with a pink paisley silk tank, and a pair of pink gingham shorts that will go with everything. Almost.
Here’s the secret to great looking shorts: Shorter is better. Opt for a hemline that hits halfway down your thigh, at the most — skip the Bermudas. Choose a style that falls directly from the widest part of your hip, rather than tapering at the knee; this will make your leg look slimmer. But only if you heed my first instruction and go with a shorter hemline. See how this works?
Be wary of cuffed or rolled shorts, unless you have super slim thighs. Avoid flap pockets and super-wide waistbands as well — unless, again, you are very very slim. In that case, wear whatever you want!
Are you a shorts girl? Why or why not?
Photo via J. Crew
I love shorts and recently bought some great green and orange chino shorts from J.Crew, plus their blue gingham ones. I also love their selvedge denim shorts from last year. Running definitely helps get the legs ready for summer!
I feel the need to go try on my shorts and see where they hit on my thigh…excuse me….
What if you carry most of your weight in your midsection and upper thighs? Still halfway between?? A 5 or 7 inch inseam seems SO SHORT (I’m 5′ 7″ does that matter)….
I recently bought a pair of gray Old Navy chino shorts for the upcoming summer. Add those to the soft-green J. Crew chino shorts I bought at the end of last summer & I now own more shorts than I have in a decade. However, I’m not ready to bare my legs. (A fall, winter, & spring of running injuries that prevented most exercise did some damage.) Thank goodness I still have 5 weeks to run and diet before June arrives. (sigh.)
For years I skipped shorts because I couldn’t find a cute, flattering shoe that would make my shorts part of a pulled-together outfit and less like play clothes. A big platform wedge + shorts looks too…well, too much, let’s say. Sneakers or Birkenstocks are okay, yes, but are a bit too casual for walking around the city. Then I discovered Tom’s espadrilles. They are the perfect shoe, at the perfect height to pair with shorts. When I wear them, I feel chic, appropriate, and leggy. Also, they are one of the most comfortable shoes I own – great walking around town, going to brunch, or running errands kind of shoe.
I avoided shorts for a long time–dresses, skirts and capris were my summer staples. But I’ve given away all my capri pants (to my husband’s relief, he always hated them) and last week I bought a pair of bright blue chino shorts at Old Navy. We’ll see how it goes.
I may have to look into those Tom’s espadrilles; I do need new shoes to go with my new shorts . . .
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