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Long sleeves over shorts?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

At first I found this kind of silly, especially paired as they do over at F21 or Karmaloop or other younger skewing sites. I think it had a lot to do with how ridiculously short and high waisted most of those shorts are.
But I do like the sidebar ad for Athleta that's been popping up and did enjoy wearing my own silky button front tucked into my purple shorts a few weeks ago. I might try my zippy raglan sweater (pic 3) over some shorts when it cools more. ( NOT that short as they have used to style in the pic! )
I know wool shorts with tights have been a winter look for a while now, but I'm talking about regular weight shorts with no hosiery underneath. How do you weigh in?

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from jurocha

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, you know I'm one of the pickiest people alive when it comes to what I consider "seasonally confused" looks (and I have a super low threshold for that) -- yet I think this is a-okay and you look terrific in #2! I'd say it's all down to the relative weight of the fabrics (they should be similar) and the outdoor temps, plus footwear. In other words, totally do-able in the right conditions.

Ruby Redlocks

I've seen others pull it off, but for me it's too contradictory. I do think longer shorts would help.

pil

Veteran

Except for the shorts length, this is something I have worn. It's nice to have the arms covered for that bit of warmth.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I find this far less contradictory than peep toe boots. I think it looks great especially with the sleeves rolled.

Ruby Redlocks

Dianthus- Agreed! Hmmm...what would be more contradictory than peep toe boots?

Laurinda

Veteran

In the San Francisco Bay Area I remember entire seasons known colloquially as 'sweatshirts and shorts' weather. Days where the temperature was around 60 F (15C) or so.

A down jacket with shorts, now that would be a disconnect. (But I've seen that too).

Marley

Veteran

In my whereabouts this is a year-round look - so I'm used to it. I like it a lot and it makes perfect sense for our climate - not seasonally confused at all. For example, you can wear shorts to walk along the beach, wade in the surf - but the breeze off the ocean in the winter time is cool - so long-sleeved shirt is perfect!

Susie

Veteran

I always loved this pairing, just as Marley describes it!

Anonymous

This look says Southern California to me. Even in summer the beach can be chilly in the evening and early morning in the fog before the sun burns it off.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I do this all the time Mo. I always roll or scrunch the sleeves when I wear long sleeves with shorts, but for me it's a very normal thing to do to deal with cold AC and extreme hot temps (and intense sun) outside. I don't usually wear long sleeve sweaters with shorts - but I will wear a summer weight jacket with them so I guess it's about the same idea.

Diana

Veteran

It's very beachy. I like it but I think, outside of the actual beach, the weather window in which to wear it is kind of small.

Anonymous

Proportionally, I don't think it's much different than wearing a mini skirt or dress with long sleeves on top. You're showing skin one place and covering it up somewhere else. And MUCH less seasonally confused than a summer sundress with a black turtleneck and black opaque tights underneath (never could wrap my head around that one).

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

We have mild summers where I live in NZ and it is a combo that I wear frequently, our weather is probably similar to San Francisco.

We wear sleeveless tops and trousers, so it is kind of just that in reverse?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Long sleeves with shorts don't bother me, as long as the fabrication of the top isn't wintry looking. What does bother me is those snow boots with the shorts in that first pic. THAT is some seasonal confusion right there.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Heh, Janet, the surfer dudes in my high school in So Cal would wear Uggs (back in the mid 80's way before they became the rage they are now) with their shorts. I always thought it looked weird.

I also tend to think along the lines of trousers with a tank being the reverse of this. Skin showing on the legs instead of the arms, but basically the same kind of ratio.

FL weather will be very conducive to this for half of the year, I'd say. Not sure on the weight of the raglan pullover with cotton trouser shorts, but I won't know until I try, will I?! Hmm, now to think about foot wear . . . .

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Shoes - I reckon continue with the theme and do cut out oxfords or boots.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Visually I think it looks fab, but in practice, it's a no for me. I keep trying a version of this with miniskirt+long sleeve top+tall boots, and what always happens is that either (a) if it's cold, my thighs get goosebumps, or (b) if it's warm, I get sweaty pits. I need bare arms and legs at the same time! But if you can pull it off without the chicken skin legs or sweaty armpits, then it's a yes vote from me.

cloud9

Veteran

I don't mind it at all and I've done it myself, not with a turtleneck though. I love your rendition.

Ps. Long over shorts is my DH's year round look.

kkards

Veteran

I love this look! We don't think anything of short sleeve or sleeveless tops with pants, so what's the big deal of long sleeve with shorts.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hunh - guess who I just saw on Fuse News wearing what appears to be a black velvet jacket over shorts? Alexa Chung. With black oxfords, no tights.

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

My 2-cents: I worry about looking seasonally confused or too teen when wearing shorts in cold weather. Nonetheless, I am often in wool/leather or poly-blend "formal" shorts, long sleeves/sweaters and tall boots. I like how the look fits me, I feel good when wearing such combo, and, to me, it's warmer and more comfortable to wear a wool, a 80 or a 100 hosiery with shorts than just jeans.

(Using a fine hosiery under jeans is of course the warmest option for really cold winters, but, oh man, that's uncomfortable! Digression ends here.)

So I guess it boils down to your priorities. Do you believe the look as flattering to your figure? Is it more comfortable to you to wear shorts than pants or skirts? Do you hv enough fairly casual occasions in your life where shorts can be worn without causing distress? If you answer yes to at least 2 of these questions, I would say you can pull the look off (and not minding that it might read a tad seasonally confused or teen to others - and yourself included)

I agree that similar fabric weights are less "out there", but poly-blends are quite light and I nonetheless pair them with heavy knits. By keeping dark and neutral colors in the shorts, you can IMO get away wth a heavier fabric top and a lightweight short.