RSS
Home
Dressing up a pair of shorts
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
www.apc.fr
When I lived in New York, I began to steer away from wearing shorts – especially short shorts. I didn’t see that many people wearing them there (certainly not as many as in New Orleans), and I also began to feel they were too casual – and maybe too young – for my lifestyle.
Certainly cut-off shorts, super-short shorts (what many people call “booty shorts”), and shorts worn with an old t-shirt or a midriff top scream “verrry casual.” But this doesn’t mean you have to steer clear of short shorts if you’re over twenty-five, or that you can’t dress them up. They may not be office appropriate, but you can wear them and still feel like an adult (and not just an adult at Jazz Fest).
First, be careful about the type of shorts you purchase. They should be of a good material (like cotton or denim – not spandex), should cover what they’re supposed to cover, and should look clean and in good shape (no tears, cut-offs, unfinished hems, or stains). I prefer shorts with pockets and with folds at the bottom (the “cuffs”) – they make them look slightly dressier, more pants-like. I prefer shorts that fall well above the knee: I’m about 5’5”, and I feel like longer shorts make my legs look shorter.
.JPG)
Second, be mindful of what you wear with the shorts. One of the hottest trends this summer? Blazers with shorts. It may sound odd, but you can make it work. In the photo above (from A.P.C.’s spring/summer collection), notice that the model doesn’t try to mix very-dressy with very-casual. Instead, the blazer pulls an otherwise casual look together: the top looks very basic, and with the boyfriend-style blazer with the sleeves rolled up, nothing really looks out of place. On the right, I’ve put together a pair of very casual Old Navy shorts with an August Silk white tank top. The top has some embellishment, so even though it is a tank, the sparkle dresses it up a bit. Over the top I put this pale blue, 3/4 length sleeve blazer (also with a little embellishment on the back). The paler color palette helps pull the look together. And of course, I’ve paired it with my favorite Payless silver mirror sandals.
When dressing up a pair of shorts, the trick is to keep it casual yet more put-together. An old t-shirt and a pair of shorts looks casual, but it doesn’t look like an outfit. Treat a pair of shorts like a casual pair of slacks – you should still think about what top, jacket, shoes, and accessories will help create a whole look. Don’t go overboard when trying to dress up the look – evening shoes and certain dressier or evening materials just won’t look right with a pair of khaki or denim shorts. For shoes, stick to stylish day sandals (it’s okay if they have heels), flats, or wedges.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
