Shorts and the frump factor

sarah

Jonesy's comment the other day about frumpy chinos got me thinking about shorts - I have a couple of pairs of chino-style bermudas, and I'm wondering if these are frumpy. It seems like shorts can easily stray into frump territory.

What makes shorts stylish versus frumpy? Are shorts like these frumpy or stylish?

Thanks for your thoughts.

13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from sarah

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I have shorts that length and more or less that style -- in fact, that's the only kind of shorts I wear except for running shorts for workouts!

I think (hope!) I avoid the frump factor by wearing them with cool wedge sandals and interesting tops. I avoid plain solid-color cap- or short-sleeve tees with these shorts because I start to feel dowdy in that combination.

13 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

How is the rear view on yours? I have various levels of summer OTG outfits - summery dresses for when I need to look nice, clams and bermudas when I am seeing other moms or running errands, and my worm digging/puppy chasing denim cut offs. What does your summer shorts capsule look like? Do you wear them to work? If so, the Talbots pair work be perfect. I can't do shorts for work, ever under any circumstances, and I have fairly wide leeway in how I can dress on most occasions.

13 years ago

sarah

Veteran

I have these exact shorts in black and olive, and I wear them dressed down for OTG and dressed "up" for work, which is VERY casual in the summer. All that means is I wear slightly nicer knit tops, and low wedge sandals - sounds like my outfits are similar to Janet's.

My shorts "capsule" sounds similar to yours, Rita. I have cutoffs for messing around with the kids/garden and denim bermudas and clams for more OTG looks, and white denim or twill bermudas/clams for more polished looks.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I also think that long chinos can look very frumpy - was that Jonesy's line of thought too? I missed the thread.

Sarah, the Talbots shorts are killer in my book. I would wear those right now if the weather was hot. Fit, fabric and silhouette take longer shorts out of frumpsville.

Those Talbots tapered red shorts look so hip and elegant to my eye (if they actually fit us the same way they do on the model as Talbots is *always* pinning the clothing on their mannequins).

13 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

i think fit is the key here... i had a few similar (not talbots admittedly) pair that just got purged because the fit was starting to bag out i felt they looked frumpy. a great fit and i think these are summer workhorses not frumpy at all!

13 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

ha! i posted at the same time as Angie...

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

If these had elastic waist and you wore them with a tucked in tshirt, pom socks and big white gym sneakers maybe frumpy. (ok definitely) But, I echo the fit and styling is key. Tapered bermudas are hip (jcrew does them don't they? (yes see photo)
Can be casual and dressed up (I can't do these at work either even as a suit). Footwear is important.

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13 years ago

Jilly

Active Member

I think it depends on the cut of the short and how well they fit on you. Knee length, pleated shorts (like what I wore in the 80s) would definitely be considered frumpy, but I don't think this sleek style from Talbots is frumpy at all.

13 years ago

Emily

Veteran

I think chino shorts with a plain front and smooth waistband that fit your bum well are classic. Stylish comes from the top and shoes. Pleats, elastic and a poor fit = frump.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

OK, so I have a poisoned eye for BOTH chinos AND bermuda length shorts, so I do think these are a little bit unattractive... however, they are loads better in bright red than in, say, classic khaki.

FWIW, I like my shorts a little shorter (like, mid-thigh) and voluminous or a bit slouchy around the thighs (but fitted at the waist/hips). It's a hard combo to find.

13 years ago

Anonymous

To me, one of the things that can make bermudas frumpy is if the leg is too wide. The narrower the fit, the better the look and more easily styled.
I'm looking for a pair of these in chocolate brown, so if anyone sees some, please pm me.

13 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, everyone. I think I've got it sorted out - it seems as though it all comes down to fit, length, and styling, which make all the difference in taking shorts from frumpville to fashionville.

Angie, I'm so naive, I didn't know about "pinning" clothes. How annoying! I think that those shorts in red are super cute, too.

13 years ago

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