“Coming Up Short”

It’s finally here! June 21 kicked off the start of summer. Officially known as Summer Solstice, also is the longest day of the year.

Depending on your location, the weather may just beginning to heat up or has been for a while now. Here in South Alabama, the temperature already creeps past 90 degrees on any given day. Throw in the humidity and the stickiness it brings and you’ve got yourself an overview of how my summer feels so far.

These summer days desperately beacon a rescue call in finding any way to stay cool, both physically and fashionably. Hence, helping you through the warmer months that still lay ahead, I bring forth to you a shorts style guide for summer.

First, you need the essentials. Proving wearable this season, next year’s and so on, invest in a good pair of these three very different, yet classics, types of shorts:

·         Ladylike, tailored shorts

 

·         White shorts, of course!

 

·         The ever reliable, denim cut-offs

 

In making shorts the focal point of any summer look, you really have two basic choices. Either aim for colors or for patterns and prints. Both work great for making any statements. Don’t be afraid to try something new and step outside of your comfort zone. Follow these guidelines and you’ll do so, easy as a summer breeze.

Starting with your ladylike, tailored shorts, add a pop of color to your wardrobe this season. The clean lines from these offer a muted platform for bold, bright colors without over doing it. Go for unexpected colors such as bright pink (like mine pictured below) or reef-inspired coral, bold red and ocean blue. If you prefer the cooler tones, stay with a palette of pastels like pale pink, soft mint or pistachio green. Pair with a nice neutral-colored top for balance and to avoid drawing eyes away from your main focus. Throw on a pair of your favorite wedges and you’ve got yourself a casual, yet still pretty, and pulled-together look that’s perfect for basically any summer occasion.

Old Navy sleeveless white blouse, Old Navy shorts and Francesca's Collections necklace

 

Next up for play, easily get inspired from watching the Wimbledon tennis matches currently taking place in London while sporting your summer whites this season. Keep the ball in your court and take note from English “properness”, sticking with neat, clean lines. On top, stay casual with a denim shirt, or for going out, try mixing it up with a bold color or keeping it simple, wearing a basic black top. But, if you’re really daring, go for all white, head to toe. Just beware of BBQ sauce at any cookouts though.  

On the other hand, taking the leading role this season, white lace shorts are another trend that will let you showcase a more delicate side to your summer wardrobe. A chambray top is a perfect match if you still want a casual appeal, playing down the feminine look of the lace while keeping you cool during the warmer days. (Take a look at my idea below.)

Old Navy chambray button-up, Charlotte Russe shorts, Forever 21 sunglasses and flats from DSW

 

Transitioning into wardrobes everywhere and offering a bit of spunkiness, playful patterned or printed shorts embody the care-free days of summer. Choose a pair with thin, vertical lines if you want to give your legs that longer, leaner appeal. Or pick a pair that will show off your fun side, like these elephant print shorts from the Milly Collection for Banana Republic.  http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=94862&vid=1&pid=41247600 Or revisit the past with a pair of ‘30s-inspired small-scale checker print shorts in classic navy, red or black and white (check out the pair I found below), topping off the look with a cozy knit sweater or cardigan.

Hollister Cardigan, Old Navy shorts and Target sunglasses  

 

Lastly, as for staying true to your denim blues, both cut-off and cuffed pairs found in either lighter and darker washes all go for this season. Give the retro-inspired high-waisted shorts trend a try this summer, which look great worn with a tucked-in sleeveless button-up, completed with a skinny belt, giving you that clenched-in waist appeal. Make sure though, in choosing denim shorts of any kind, that you get a pair that fits you well and comfortably.     

Incorporate any of these easy, wearable ideas above ad you’ll be “coming up short” on your lengths for bottoms this season, but not in your sense of style for choosing great looks that are versatile for the rest of summer, and surely the ones still to come. Now, that’s definitely nothing short of fashion greatness.