In my Spring Trend Forecast for 2013, I mentioned my excitement for knee-length shorts, a “new” length that we could look forward to seeing alongside the abundance of short shorts. These shorts are also being called Bermudas or city shorts, but they’re not of the casual cotton twill variety that we see most seasons. Instead they are drapey, made of dressier fabrications, and worn with heels or dressy flats, smarter tops, blazers, bombers, cropped jackets and leather jackets.
The photos provide great visuals of the dressy long shorts vibe. Most of the styles finish on or just above the knee-cap. The silhouette is generally flat fronted, straight, and tapered through the thigh – although waist pleated versions with wider legs are another option. Those styles look more like culottes, and are just as fab.
I love this trend, and was hooked as soon as I saw Tommy Hilfiger send a white shorts suit and a blush shorts suit down the runway last September for Spring 2013 Fashion Week. Although I am not opposed to a matching suit made up of a blazer and long dressy shorts, I’m more after the bottom part of that outfit so that I can mix and match as desired. To my eye, these long drapey shorts look clean cut, classically modern, and fun. They are more practical than a skirt or dress, and substantially more covered than short shorts, or shorts that hit mid-thigh. I am in big time and have my eye on the pairs at Club Monaco. I’ll dress up the look with smart tops and toppers and dressy low heels or flats.
Dressy long shorts are not mainstream at the moment – that honour belongs to shorter shorts and longer cropped pants. But I hope to see this trouser style go mainstream over the next few years because it’s flattering, comfortable and a more casual alternative to the dressy pencil and full skirt.
Lastly, dressy long shorts are also business casually appropriate in some office settings, provided you dress them up, they are knee-length, and form part of the work dress code. Some offices forbid shorts of any description so in those situations, these dressy darlings won’t work. But I do have clients who can wear this vibe to the office, even if it’s just on Casual Fridays. And l would certainly wear them as a business casual alternative to dresses, trousers and skirts when out and about with clients.
What’s your take on dressy long shorts? Do you like the look, and would you be comfortable wearing them in business casual settings? Or are they still too casual for your work environment. If so, when would you wear dressy long shorts?
