Let's talk shorts. Bermudas, clamdiggers, etc. - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Let's talk shorts. Bermudas, clamdiggers, etc.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suz's "outfit fail" post got me thinking about shorts and what is fashionable for summer wear. Anyone who has read my posts knows that I have issues with the appearance of my legs. But in the heat and humidity of our summers, shorts need to be a reality for my casual life. For a while, pre-YLF, I tried hiding my legs all summer long under jeans and capris, and was never happy that way -- too hot, and still self-conscious, so I decided to start wearing shorts again.

In Suz's thread, many remarked that the white Bermuda shorts were the problematic piece of the outfit. It got me worrying about shorts again, especially my white ones -- and whether the styles I wear are working.

I dug up a few threads with some of my summer outfits from last year:

With black bermudas: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ome-oldies

With mint mid-thigh shorts and white cut-off clamdigger length:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....er-reality

Another with the white:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nd-bruises

And this from just a couple of weeks ago, with cut-off BF jeans rolled once again to clamdigger length:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lot-casual

I think everyone has certain lengths for shorts that are most flattering on their legs and for their body proportions. I default to that just-below-knee length for shorts (and dresses and skirts) because to me, it is the most flattering (hides the knees and the fat bulge above the knees that I cannot ever seem to lose). But I know I am a bit hypersensitive about how my legs look, so I don't want to get in a rut based on an emotional hurdle, especially if it pushes my style into Sears catalog or Chicos-tastic territory.

So, what is the verdict on fashionable shorts, as far as length, fit, flattery, and fabrication go? Should I keep doing what I'm doing, or am I getting into a rut? I don't want to go back to full length pants on hot days, and frankly, cropped pants are not cool enough either (I'm thinking about cutting off some of my cropped pants to clamdigger length for this reason). I like my calves so I don't mind showing off that part of my legs a bit. I just don't want to look frumpy!

Let's hear it. What passes for "stylish" in shorts these days? The stores are full of booty shorts (part of the current Coachella overload phenomenon), so that's certainly no help at all.

Dressing

47 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

Murph11

Veteran

So much of what makes shorts "work" for me is styling them with intent -- which you ALWAYS do. 9 or 11" inseams work best for me.

marianna

Veteran

I agree it's all about how you style them. I will continue to wear bermuda shorts but I've found that what I pair them with is critical. The length of the top also seems to make a difference - i.e. getting the proportions right!

Last week I wore denim bermudas with a cute graphic tee but felt SO blah and frumpy. Later I tried a longer flowy silky tank and felt better.

Momo

Veteran

I think your shorts look great. I really like the clam digger length on you.

Mochi

Veteran

See, Janet, in my case I'm even prepared to not look "great"--I just want to switch up the look from always wearing these sport shorts I've been wearing since I was a kid. I think the knee is an issue (which it sounds like you've troubleshot already). And also, you have great legs, too!

I don't know the answer. In summer, frankly, I don't even want to be putting this much work into it.

I was also just considering how optic white--a color that looks so fantastic on Angie, other blondes, and certain striking brunettes--may be a more troublesome color for the rest of us, no matter how strong our summer associations are. And that might go for any very light-colored pants. But then again, I'm not liking the blue bermudas I just got.

I think I just wrote a huge post with no conclusion. : ) Looking forward to others' responses.

Mochi

Veteran

(How do you feel when you're in biking shorts, Janet? Is it okay because they are so use-specific, making you not judge them the same way? Just curious, suddenly.)

always trying

Veteran

No matter what length anything with spandex in it is going to be hot. So I stick to 100% cotton or linen or blends of cotton and linen. I recently bought lyocell crops, but it has not been hot yet to test them. 100% cotton is not easy to find, most linen are baggy, and selections are limited. Trying to be stylish when it s hot and one can't wear a minimal top and short shorts is not possible. so ladies just do the best you can. But avoid polyester at all costs, and try to avoid anything with spandex or its equivalent.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, THANK YOU for starting this thread. I am really curious about responses also because I have the exact same issues. My legs are not my best feature, I am self-conscious about my knees and the bit of fat above my knees (yet I also have proportionately short calves, ugh!!) but the reality of my climate and my life is that for several months a year, I need to wear shorts almost every day.

I think you look fantastic in every one of your shorts outfits here. You always style with aplomb and have that "cool" factor. The length of your gams really helps here. And, as Marianna said,the proportions of the top to shorts seems crucial and this is something I have yet to master completely.

Ironically, those shorts that people didn't like on me in yesterday's thread are the very same shorts that typically get kudos for their perfection on this forum! Yup, I have evidently styled them in the past in a way that did not look mumsy.

I tend to revert to just above the knee (despite my dislike of my knees) due to a combination of modesty and figure flattery concerns. I own and wear shorter BF shorts at home and I think they are conventionally more flattering to my proportions. But at that length I don't feel okay wearing them into town. And longer (below the knee as you are wearing) doesn't work as well on my body proportionately due to my short calves -- I have to wear a bit of a heel to make it work.

So...there it is. A puzzlement. But honestly, I think it's all in the styling. That top I was wearing just seems to demand longer bottoms and a different sandal. If I'd had a full length mirror at home, I'd have seen that right away.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Nancy, I hate how I look in biking shorts. I tolerate them because they are gear. I cringe at my race photos. I actually prefer how I look in my running capris because they come down below the knee.

JAileen

Veteran

Mostly with shorts I'm wearing them because it's so hot I can't stand anything else. Yesterday the forecast was for 100 but it only got to 95. How lucky was that! I bought several pairs of crops and shorts this spring. We were going to Texas and well, you know how it is there. I bought white shorts but didn't take them because we were going to be emptying out storage units, etc., and I knew we'd be getting filthy, which we did. Well, I still haven't worn them!

I thought Suz' outfit was not Chico-ish because there were no sparkles. To me, that's what epitomizes Chicos. But white shorts or pants and white sandals does remind me of my 92YO mother. She wears white pants and white sandals a lot. I think that's why I don't have any white sandals.

I'm going to try to put together a YLF approved outfit with the white shorts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So the consensus seems to be that it's not the length, it's the fit and the styling? I can live with that! I just didn't want to be relying on a style that comes off as frumpy or old-fashioned (and even the term "clamdigger" sounds dangerously close to old-fashioned:.

Anonymous

I am following along with avid interest. I'm not sure I have any wonderful answers here either...shorts are a minefield of issues. In my opinion only, and to my eye, you look good in Bermudas and your clamdiggers Janet - where most others probably don't. Or let's rephrase it: you are able to maintain your cool-factor when wearing them - where others aren't. And I throw myself into that category - of looking soccer-momish in bermudas.

You also have long legs - which makes a huge difference in how those longer shorts look.

I'm with Mochi in that in summer and when it's hot, I hate having to stress out over shorts so I end up wearing whatever I feel like and just go with it.

The one thing I do have strong opinions on for shorts of any kind is that they be slouchy - fitted or tight shorts/bermudas don't look current to me. I go for a boyfriend ft - often cuffed at mid-thing length myself. Usually Gap Khakis - in shorts form. I also wear Lululemon running shorts all summer long so what do I know I know your clamdiggers are a fitted/tight look and again it seems to work on you - it's your height and long leg length thing again...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I hope Angie weighs in.

Anonymous

FWIW, Janet, I think you rock a shorts outfit and I think all lengths of shorts look great on you. You always seem to have a knack for pairing the right items with them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Heh, Lisa, actually my clamdigger cutoffs *were* a bit more loose last year, they are not quite as boyfriend-y this year, sad to say. Also, when I take outfit photos, it's almost always right after I get dressed, and these cutoffs stretch and "grow" throughout the day. They are definitely much looser and easier as the day goes on. Then they shrink again when I wash them, and I have a moment of panic when I pull them on and think I've gained a huge amount of weight in a week.

Anonymous

I live in a hot climate, and for several years only wore capris. Then I decided I generally like my legs, so what was I torturing myself in this heat for? Plus, a lot of my capris were really cutting me off, so I shortened or hacked. I can tolerate a little higher than Bermudas if not too snug on the leg, but Bermuda is my default length. I also like skirts for summer and have a few of those, plus am looking for more.

I do believe Bermudas can lead me to frumpy land, and I try to fix it with what else I'm wearing. And sometimes I just can't care that much either - because it is so hot!

I'm adding a couple pics to show my usual length. I think the printed outfit skews frumpy and could be fixed with a higher heel, but I just can't. Sorry the pics are super bad quality.

The heat is why I'd really love to find more casual dresses, but they are eluding me right now.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Delurked, I love that length on you, and I think all of those look great. I see no frumpy. Even #3. I love cute patterned shorts, but I avoid them because 1) I can never find them long enough, and 2) too much thigh emphasis. You, however, wear them really well!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suz, I'm hoping Angie weighs in as well!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm tied up a lot of today, but will chime in when I can. As a brief synopsis, this is what I just wrote on Nancy's thread:

"We go through shorts discussions EVERY season, and the forum is split with their subjective preferences. Some prefer shorter shorts, while others prefer longer shorts. Some like classic Bemudas - others loathe them. Some like very short shorts - others not so much.

Generally, I think that longer shorts look better in denim and more fashionable fabrics and styles".

Anonymous

Janet - I cut off the print shorts from capris. I must have gone Capri happy, because I think I've got 4 shortened pair. Plus two shortened from jeans. Only pair one was actually purchased as shorts.

kkards

Veteran

for me the most important consideration of shorts is the width…..i personally don't like shorts that fit like skinny jeans, i prefer more of a BF or straight leg fit (and i find that a looser fit is cooler as well). i also think that shorts are a garment where fabric is important as well. IMO they must be substantial enough to have some weight and drape, but not heavy, and generally not spandex or anything else that would make them cling. (again if its hot enough for shorts, then it's too hot for body hugging or heavy fabrics)

Joyce B

Veteran

I think all your shorts look good on you but you seem more comfortable with bermuda length, they look great both in denim and in white. I also prefer longer length for myself. I live in my denim bermudas when it gets warm. I also got the white Kut boyfriend shorts but I don't like the fit as much. I think they are more flattering when they are fitted on the thighs, at least for me.
Suz, I did like the fit of your white bermudas, I did not see anything wrong with them.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

Ugh, I am struggling with shorts also. Normally I default to skirts in the summer, so I only have athletic shorts. But I need something I can wear hiking in California next weekend. Was going to just cut off some old boyfriend-style jeans, but decided I liked the jeans too much as-is to chop.

I think I may check out these from Athleta -- the Trekkie Bermuda. Does anyone have experience with them? I have a long rise and a booty, so back rise length is always my biggest fitting problem.

Gap Trekkie Bermuda

View Info

Top Pick

2

BrieN

Veteran

I am trying to decide if cuffs on shorts are less flattering than a simple leg line and hem. I guess I'm looking for a hard and fast rule where the answer will likely be more nuanced?

Anonymous

Kkards - totally agree about the width of leg. The SA was trying to convince me to size down , but I am glad I stuck with the larger size because I like the fit in the legs better.

RWS- I am also curious about those athleta shorts. I have the metro slouch in shorts, capris and pants. I broke down last year and ordered a ton of pants to find the best fit for me for more athletic style pants. But the ones above read a little more casual to me and I am interested in trying them on.

Anonymous

BrieN - it's possible cuffing shorts could widen the leg line, but for me it also depends on length and width of short

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie. Helpful.

There are no hard and fast rules.

BrieN, it's individual. Cuffing if visible can make a horizontal line that can be widening, but it all depends...

Anonymous

I think shorts are inherently less fashionable than pants, dresses, and skirts. So you might as well just wear the ones that flatter most, or that you feel the most comfortable wearing.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think the cuffing thing varies. I have a pair of blue camo print shorts (Suz is my shorts twin) that seem to hit a slightly more flattering place on my leg if I cuff them, so I do just slightly. I think the leg of the shorts is loose enough that the cuff does not widen my leg, or at least I sure hope so because my legs certainly do NOT need any widening! However, I think with a close-fitting leg, cuffing can create an unflattering effect. Again, totally dependent on the style and the wearer.

Andrea H

Delurking to comment on the fit of the Athleta Trekkie bermudas, since I just bought them a couple weeks ago. I'm 5'2 and usually wear a 0 or a 2. The waist of the trekkies in the 2 was too big, so I'd say they fit on the larger side of true-to-size. Even though I'm short, I have the rise of a normal person (generally can't but petite pants because they strangle my crotch) and these shorts come just below my natural waist. They're about 2 inches above the knee on my stubby legs, so they definitely won't be a long bermuda on someone with long legs. Hope that helps.

12