Ask Angie: Is there a PPL for shorts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Is there a PPL for shorts?

merwoman

Veteran

Open question for everyone (and my apologies if this has been covered before), but I am wondering what are the correct "shorts" lengths. Was looking at the bermuda shorts pic posted in the YLF store today and noticed that bermuda shorts on the model fall above the knee. Are there rules on the length - or guidelines as to what is generally most flattering? Can shorts be too long? Summer is approaching...

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from anne

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Not Angie, but I think this has a lot to do with leg length and shape. I know for me, shorts need to be above the knee as my shins are short and my calves are very muscular.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It depends partly on the shape of them, I think. If they are tapered you can probably get away with lots of lengths. If not tapered it is probably a bit trickier. I wear Bermuda shorts all the time in summer. Most are just above the knee on me.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I totally agree with Linda about leg shape. I do not have the world's most shapely legs, and I tend to carry a little pouch of fat right above my knees (yeah, even though I run 3-5 days a week, and yeah, I hate it), so shorts actually look best on me when they hit a few inches above the knee where my leg is a little narrower. It seems counterintuitive that showing a bit more leg is more flattering, but there it is. I also think overall proportions make a difference -- leg length, torso length, the length of the tops one is wearing with the shorts, etc.

I personally find shorts really tricky, but it's so hot and humid in our summers that I end up just not caring so much.

merwoman

Veteran

Thanks Linda and Suz. Above the knee like this photo? Some recent bermudas I've purchase fall right at my knee (I'm a little vertically challenged) - which I don't think is very flattering for me.

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merwoman

Veteran

Janet - exactly!! That little pouch of flesh around the knee is challenging. And it seems if the shorts end right at the knee - then that's where the eye is drawn.

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, I think it's more a case of personal preference. For example, I actually have a super poison eye for classic bermuda shorts length (like the one in the photo) and prefer shorts to show at least half of my thigh. I know that's not a popular opinion here though. (Weirdly, right above the knee is my FAVORITE length of skirt so it's not like i just don't like that length. It's more like something about the shape of the shorts/knees that I don't like, not just on me but on most people.)

FWIW, Angie says that clamdiggers (i.e. ending BELOW the kneecap) could be classified as bermuda shorts too and I like and wear those just fine.

ETA: I like my shorter shorts (the ones that show 1/2 the thigh) to be quite baggy and/or flared. Nothing too tight to the thigh. just to be clear that I'm not talking about Daisy Dukes or anything!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep! I had some that fell right at the top of the knee and they always bothered me and I figured out that was why. It seems that the hem should fall at a narrower spot for a more flattering effect. I feel a little better that I'm not the only one who has that. ;-P

(I remind myself to be thankful my legs are at least long and strong.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like clamdiggers, too, Diana. But it seems to be hard for me to find them at the right length!

unfrumped

Veteran

Good quesion, merwoman! I expect at least some range of PSL's based on leg shape.

Last year I added several pairs of longer shorts--they do fall right at my knee--and I think I like them but it's possible they'd be better just one inch or so shorter. I may play with the hems and see if worth altering.

Raisin

Veteran

I like bermudas to hit above the knee, like the photo you have there merwoman. Not over the knee, that looks a bit strange. I like shorter shorts to be mid thigh.

Diana

Veteran

Yeah, I agree, Janet. Aside from my two slouchy clamdiggers (which are the same style in different colors) all my other clamdiggers are long pants that I hacked and rolled.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, cut off your skinnies! That's how you get clams at the right length

Merwoman, we can debate this till the cows come home :). Good question though. Everyone's responses so far make sense to me. You have to find your flattering sweet spot, AND your comfort levels as far as leg exposure goes. And we can talk about the extremely sensitive topic of which lengths are age appropriate.

Personally, I will wear the length shown in the shorts above - those shorts are "adorable" . I will also wear them longer to cover my knees. I love them tapered and wear knee covering harem pants too. I would love to wear flared and baggy shorts if I find them. I do not wear short shorts - not even to the beach.

Raisin

Veteran

This is what I like for mid thigh shorts. A looser fit, or a bit flared like Angie says. I have been stalking these for months for a sale....they are WAY overpriced, but my dream shorts.

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Agnes

I am with Diana on this one I have to show half my thigh or they look awful. Just above the knee looks appalling on me: I am a rectangle and I look like a big block.

Echo

Veteran

I like the bermudas posted, and I like the shorter ones Raisin posted as well. I haven't been terribly fond of my legs lately, so I generally wear flouncy skirts or capris, but the only shorts length I despise (on anyone) is short-short. I just find them inappropriate for most occasions, much like micro-minis.

merwoman

Veteran

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this!
And you are so right Angie - there are many nuances to this debate. (and thank you so much for responding!) I only became aware of ppl a short while ago - it crossed my mind that there may be something similar for shorts. I think I will try playing with the hem lines (good idea unfrumped!) to see what works best. I suppose it isn't surprising they would need hemming since all my pants need hemming as well.
Rae - those shorts will look great on you - they're almost "skort" like!

Thistle

Veteran

This has been on my mind too. Thanks for asking, Merwoman!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

OOh - I love BOTH links!!

Like Janet, I'm not crazy about the shape of my knees or above knee area, so I do take some care with selection. But I feel I am a bit too old to wear mid-thigh shorts even if my thighs are okay (and my thighs are better than my knees, if that makes sense...) But also like Janet and Diana, I live where it is TOO DARN HOT. So I am wearing shorts, come what may - I just play around with it each summer to get the least unflattering look I can manage. And Janet, I am with Angie. Cut or roll those skinnies into clams. I did it last year with an older pair and was very happy with the result as long as I wore wedge sandals. With your long legs you would look fab in them without the wedges!

annaj

Veteran

Angie, you are absolutely my style guru!! It is now official!!
I love a woman who can say that there is such a thing as "age appropriate"!!
I've recently had input from a stylist who says to "go as short as you are comfortable to go" and I think there comes a point where too short, really is TOO short!

Love the shorts shown ahead. I think you can show your knee, but it's more a question of how much thigh should be on display. For me (being quite tall), the answer is minimal!

Deborah

Veteran

Nothing to add, but thanks for such an informative post. Off to hack an orphaned pair of skinnies.

anne

Veteran

For me ( short legs and curvy thighs) clamdiggers are all I can cope with wearing. And yes, I just chopped off longer pairs to get them the right length.

The short ones that Raisin posted to me seem square ie they seem as wide as they are long. And for some stylistic reason dating back to Leah Feldon's book this is a warning bell for me.