Shorts: How Short Can You Go?
Tina, here.
Can grown women wear shorts? Yes. Short-shorts? It’s really a matter of taste, height and age when it comes to how short your shorts can be. As a general rule of thumb, short-shorts are not so fine on a 40-something, no matter how svelte and cool you may be. Let's break it down, shall we? How short can you go?
High school senior Rizzo, far right, in shorts and heels – very Pink Lady. Very “bad girl” back then even for Grease. But today it's an everyday site on 40-something moms. Is this ok? Maybe, maybe not. Image source.
I'm just gonna come right out and say it. Short-shorts are a no-no on the over-40 brigade, but you knew that.
Umm. Can we agree that this shorts and heels ensemble is not classy on women of a certain age? It's the heels with the shorts that really seals the deal. Even the kid in the background had to turn the other way. Photo by Emilio Labrador.
Shorts typically come in 3″, 5″, 7″ and 9″ lengths.
The 3″ (and 2") shorts are basically underwear, so approach with caution, or please not at all.
Five and seven inch shorts are a good average inseam, and also a good marker for casual (i.e. not business) skirts and dresses.
BIG difference between those 2 inch inseams, the 3" and 5".
These are 7" inseam shorts on me. I have pretty long legs, so I like the 7" instead of the 5". My fave 5" shorts are inside the May Style Vault for you to purchase. Cute colors and the best fit I've found. And inexpensive, too!
Nine inch shorts are officially in the Bermuda shorts camp, and a bit longer is called a walking short. If you measure in at under 5’2″, these are too long for you to wear because you won't have any legs. For those of you who do wear Bermuda shorts, they need to be fairly fitted. And they need to hit above your kneecap, not on the knee, not under. Definitely not under, mkay cupcakes? Because that would make them evil capris.
If you wear longer shorts, please make sure they are tapered nicely so they don't look ginormous like these do.
Much better. These Bermuda shorts are just a bit shorter in length than the ones above, and they fit my thighs better, i.e. they are more fitted and less roomy.
A classy look with shorts and wedges, with a long sleeve blouse, which balances the amount of skin being shown.
A couple other caveats. No cuffs on your shorts, dears. They add inches to your thighs.
The cuffs on the shorts on the right act like a highlighter around your thighs. You want a clean line, like on the left, with no cuffs or rolls.
No cargo shorts.
The extra pockets add weight right where you least want it or want to draw attention to. It's like having love handles on your thighs. If you love the pockets, carry a handbag.
Ladies, you may not wear stone khaki shorts this summer. Unless you are impersonating a camp counselor or waiting tables at the corner ice cream parlor.
Huh. Interesting. A bunch of men. All wearing, what do you know, but khaki shorts. That, my lovelies, is why we do not wear khaki shorts. Photo by Robert Occhialini.
I found all kinds of cute shorts for you to wear this summer, in all lengths (except the tacky 2" and 3", as if) and sizes. Chambray, cotton, dressy-casual and super laid back styles. Join the Style Vault so you can shop all my best picks for summer paired with complete outfits you can buy right from the Vault. Getting dressed was never easier or more fashionable. Or smart - over $1,000 in savings for Vault Insiders during the month of May. Well worth the $7.99/mo membership fee.
All the best,
Tina
