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Shorts K/P & questions about finding the perfect pair of shorts

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

What's the 2014 consensus about shorts? What is the optimally flattering
length--short short/cutoffs, mid-thigh, just above the knee? What inseam length? And fitted or boyfriend/baggy? Cuff or no cuff? Distressing or plain? Dark, medium or light wash (I tend to gravitate toward medium wash, but I don't know what's in now)? I think I may have to order a bunch and/or go in store to try some on, but just wanting to know what I should be focusing on. Thanks for your advice!

I would like to get a pair of shorts in blue denim and in white denim for MOTG. I posted a K/R thread here (#1) and it looks like everyone thinks the shorts are too big and baggy in the rear. I'm also not 100% sure this bermuda length is the right length for me because my legs are skinny so it's not fitted at the knee. Are knee length shorts too dowdy looking? Should I go shorter? I think my legs are in good enough shape to wear short shorts, but I am not sure if they would look too young or inappropriate on me (I'm 40).

Also K/P on my small collection of shorts. I feel like the shorter ones look better on me, but are they too short?
2-4. White House Black Market size 4. Black denim with a cuff. I think this one fits the best but is this too short? This is a 5 inch inseam, if that helps.
5-7. Gap white cotton size 4. Too wrinkly--I don't have the time to iron shorts, so that's why I'm looking for a denim pair. Is this mid thigh length better than bermuda style?
8-9. Tommy Bahama tropical print size 8. I bought these last summer, but they're way too big on me now. Hm, I guess I lost all the baby weight!
10. Gap charcoal trouser shorts size 2. I haven't worn these much because they seem too dressy for MOTG, but of course you can't wear shorts to work. But they fit! I'll probably keep if I can just figure out how to style them. I guess they're more for winter with tights.
11. Jason Wu for Target navy shorts size 6--I think I can still use these.
12. Ugh. Just ugh. Color, fit, fabric, everything.

Also, here are some examples of the types I'm considering, feel free to suggest others:
13. Gap Sexy Boyfriend shorts
14. Gap Skinny Bermuda shorts
15. Kut Catherine denim bermuda shorts
16. Big Star Alex denim shorts

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Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from pastrygirl

Mo

(website)

Veteran

If I were purging, 5, 8, and 12 would be on the chopping block. When it comes to length, I may not be the best to ask I do think shorter shorts should be looser to avoid the hoochie or teen cheer looks. Denim shorts I'd be likely to go longer than cotton blend, and I can't really articulate why. So, I'd do mid thigh probably for denim. #13 looks the best of the denim options to me.

E

Veteran

I might be in the minority here, and keep in mind I live in south Texas where pretty much everyone wears shorter shorts come July and August, but I don't see any problems with the hemlines of 2, 10, & 11 on you (my favourites of the ones you've shown), as long as you feel comfortable. I wear my shorts that short, because I find bermuda shorts terribly unflattering, and clamdiggers really look best when they're fitted, but when it's super hot I don't want to be in anything fitted. So shorter shorts it is! I also think there's something inherently unsexy about casual shorts, so unless you deliberately 'vamp it up,' it's easier to wear shorter hemlines without being inappropriate (vs skirt or dress hemlines). I'm not that fussed about age appropriate dressing though.

I agree w Mo that I try to keep the shorts looser to balance out their shortness. My favourite pair are a dark chambray from Banana Republic: I don't have any true denim because it's too bulky for me in the heat so can't advise you there!

kellygirl

Veteran

I agree with Malina regarding the ones to give the heave ho. I think your slim frame/legs might look best in 14 or 15 which look like they are cut a little slimmer in the leg. Just my 2 cents.

Kristin SF

Veteran

If you're worried about wrinkles, have you tried J.Crew's chino shorts? They have a number of inseams so you can pick your fave. I choose 5" as the easiest to wear for MOTG, for me. Lots of colors and a few prints. These are my personal fave.

Very clean front, no cuffs. Simple!

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Minnie

I like 2,3,4,10 & 11 best.
I'm not a fan of Bermuda shorts though and might be biased.

Diana

Veteran

OK, I have poison eye for Bermudas so I will refrain from commenting on those.

Of the remainder, I'd ditch 5 (looks too boxy, kind of like man's shorts to me), 8 (too big as you said), and 12 (poor fit and yucky color). I like the other three (2, 10, and 11) and find that hemline to be very flattering on you. Not too short at all IMO, and none are really tight in the leg so that helps too.

Of the new ones you are considering I like 13 best, and 15 second. I have a very strong preference for the look of looser legs on shorts, especially in denim, so I like the BF fits. Looser legs are more comfortable too in the summer! I don't like 14 - see my previous disclaimer about poison eye and bermudas, but even aside from that I think the fit (on the model at least) is too fitted to the leg. 16 seems a bit too short and fitted.

Anonymous

You have thin thighs. The perfect pair of shorts would be chopping off the legs of slacks or jeans so you aren't wearing bells around your legs. But that is my preference and LOL I just glanced up while writing this and saw Diana's preference for loose legs.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

My two cents on bermudas is, again, I somehow find them better in a cotton or chino than in denim. All I can see is Baby in Dirty Dancing. Besides, the fabrication is much warmer and gets sticky gross in the heat as others have pointed out.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like photo #1 best.

#13, #14 and #15 are all worth a try.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Mo, you crack me up. Is this what you are referring to? I actually prefer those Bermuda shorts to the pair in the second pic! Lightwash mom shorts and white keds seems so...1987. Nobody puts Baby in a corner!

Now I am thoroughly confused, because Angie's opinion is completely opposite everyone else's! I guess I'll keep it for now but try on other options to compare. I just remembered that posted a K/R on pretty much the same exact pair of white bermuda shorts last year, same size and everything, and everyone thought it looked bad on me so I returned it (I guess I've lost weight since then because now everyone thinks it looks too baggy). I also just remembered that I two summers ago bought a pair of white chino shorts similar to the one Kristin linked to. It was a Banana Republic Trina Turk pair (I did keep the tunic it's pictured with), and Angie didn't like it (I think she thought it was too short) so I returned it. I kinda wish I still had it--I guess I prefer shorter lengths? I'll look into the J Crew one. I guess this isn't going to be a quick purchase! Why are white shorts so difficult?

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rabbit

Veteran

I agree with Mo's picks on the shorts you have. I don't think any of them are too short for you, and prefer the wash on 13, 14, 15 than 16 in the ones you are considering.

I have a poison eye for long, loose, turned up or rolled white shorts - unless worn with some kind of minimalist loose white or taupe button up to make them skew 'avant garde in the desert' rather than 'retirement in Florida'. I think they can be tricky to make flattering. Shorter white shorts (and some tighter long ones) are good.

Also In a darker wash both of Baby's short looks, especially the first, I consider cool, because Dirty Dancing was set in the early 60's (as visually interpreted by the 80's) so it's kind of close to Rockabilly which is always cool in my book

ETA: I wear shorts if I'm going to be clambering over logs or gardening or wandering down to the lake or attempting cartwheels. So super casual - olive or gray cargo, distressed denim, cutoffs do the trick. Anything else and a skirt is just going to look better and feel breezier IMO.

Emily

Veteran

Shorts are such a pain! Personally I like them either just above the knee or with a 3.5"-5" inseam, not skintight but fitting close too the leg. (Fluid I guess? :)) You totally have the legs for shorter shorts if you're comfortable in them.

(Also, Baby has great shorts. I had forgotten how great!)

unfrumped

Veteran

I think you look great in the longer shorts for a more sophisticated MOTG. Sort of smart-casual shorts. I would aim for a fluid taper. I think that fits your style persona.
Shorts serve different purposes and we need a shorts capsule, so you look

fine in the shorter ones for play and for taking a walk in the neighborhood, for really hot days and all that.

I'm interested in the "what's in" responses as well, vs. just find what's the most flattering and stick with it.

Gigi

Veteran

My favorites are 2 and 11. I would probably get rid of the rest.

I think unfrumped's idea of having a couple of different lengths is a good one. I think it helps create versatility in outfits, because different lengths of shorts will probably look better with different top lengths.

I have three pairs of shorts. Two of them are short-short (3-3.5 in.), and the other one hits midthigh. The short ones are Old Navy boyfriend, and BR rolled shorts. The midthigh one is Gap 1969. I think that the BR ones, even though they are short, don't read as "super sexy" or anything because they are very tailored looking. I bought them last year, but they might be kind of a perennial style for them.

I don't think the shorter ones are too short. If you are comfortable wearing them and can style them, you have the legs for them. :^)

My problem with shorts is that I have a poison eye for the "flare" that occurs with some shorts at the hem (some of your shorts do this, for example, nos. 10 and 12). That always makes me feel like I'm about 13 and on summer vacation. They also emphasize my wide hips. I like my shorts to have quite straight leg openings, like the shorts you are considering. My BR shorts are very fitted to my leg, and the Gap ones are pretty good too, but the ON ones are a little big. But I think the ON ones are a size too big for me anyway, so that would explain that!

Jen W

I prefer option #1. I don't know if it's because the denim creates a smoother line, or if the Bermudas are elongating, but I think they look good! Numbers 2 and 10 also work for me. If your preference is toward shorter, you have great legs and I think a shorter denim pair may be a great option.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I'm going to be in this boat soon. I need ALL new shorts. I bought one pair so far, a longer denim pair that fit like pic 14 in your first post (from Loft; size down!). I'm having trouble coming up with a plan to try/buy more! Once the hot weather hits, I do not wear anything past my knee, so I'll have at least 2 months of true shorts weather.

When I was heavier, I avoided shorts like the plague but now I want to give them a try. (I used to wear skirts/dresses exclusively all summer long.) Last summer I wore old shorts that had been too small for at least 5 years, but they did the trick while I was losing weight. But boy, did they look dated!

I'm aiming for a look like your second set of pics, #4 --the orange shorts in particular and also the white in that pic. I want to say that I tried on a pair of Caslon at the Rack that worked well, but I didn't buy them for some reason. I plan to try them again. I might also try the JCrew rec above.