With weather in New Orleans in the 90s every day, it’s hard to feel motivated to wear anything besides shorts during the day. But can shorts ever be “dressy”?

For men, the quick answer is “no.” They can be “dressier” – meaning, your neatly ironed, new khaki shorts will look more casual-dinner appropriate than your ratty, wrinkled pair of cargo shorts or your baggy basketball shorts. But even that choice depends on what you pair with them. Shorts are casual, period. They just fall into varying degrees of casual depending on their condition, their fit, and the items worn with them.

For women, it’s a bit trickier. Trend reports now claim shorts can be “evening.” The July issue of Lucky magazine features suggestions for making shorts evening-appropriate, including pairing them with “drop earrings,” heels, and a blazer. And a couple years ago, winter shorts were all the rage, with women pairing them with patterned tights, flats, and silk blouses and wearing them to “business-casual” work environments.

Yet these are trends. If you’re looking for a general rule of thumb, it’s better to treat shorts as part of your casual wardrobe. The shorts-with-blazer trend that started last summer has persisted this summer, so try wearing shorts with espadrilles, a cute cotton top, and a blazer if you’re going to lunch with your girlfriends or shopping at Canal Place. If you’re dying to wear a new pair of colorful silk shorts out at night, pair them with a drapey cardigan and a dressy top (nothing too low-cut), and a pair of long earrings. Heels are fine, but despite what many fashion blogs will tell you, shorts and stilettos can look too risqué. Stick with a more conservative heel or a wedge for a classier look.

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