The long and the shorts of it

October 19, 2011

As the mercury creeps up, so does my inability to wear long pants or jeans. It’s just too damn uncomfortable.

The alternative?

Shorts.

Cue shorts $169; Cue sleeveless jacket $220

The short of it: Cue shorts $169. www.cue.cc

Don’t get me started on three-quarter pants. Oh, too late. I have. They’re just not flattering on 90% of the population.

They work when styled as slim-leg capris, with a hem finishing at a slender ankle on petite Audrey Hepburn-esque types but as long cut-off pants on the rest of us, they are generally the devil. Three-quarter pants have the nasty effect of truncating your legs and making you look shorter than what you are.

Which leaves me back at shorts.

Want to know more?  I’m over at Justb. today doing a Wardrobe Rescue for a reader who wanted to know how to wear shorts with more style.  Come over and say hi.

 

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by Nikki Parkinson
16 Comments
  • swathi

    what do you think about shorts for a gal with a bit of a booty?

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki | Styling You

      I’m fine with it – just have your top be floating and skim over the top.

  • http://floridagirlinoklahoma.blogspot.com rhonda

    I’m considering pairing shorts with tights for the upcoming winter season over here! Works? Yay or nay?

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      Yes, it can work and look quite stylish Rhonda.

  • http://chasingcait.com.au Caitlin

    do NOT get me started on 3/4 pants!!! 90% of my styling clients turn up in them and 100% of them leave realising there are BETTER options ;-)

    LOVE a summer short, I’m totally stealing Rachel Bilson’s look of shorts with a blazer (lightweight for summer of course), love!

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      I love that you’re also getting rid of 3/4 pants one client at a time ;) And love Rachel Bilson’s look x

  • http://www.bettesmusings.com Bette

    I agree with you Nikki. I like wearing fitted long shorts, but they need to be above the knee. Another issue with the 3/4 length pants – on tall people, they look as though they are just pants that are too short! Never a good look!

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      That’s so true, Bette! Not a good length at all.

  • http://www.jodigibson.com.au/the-cafe/ Jodi Gibson

    I love tailored shorts and classy shorts, and funky short shorts but so totally agree with the 3/4 pants. Urgh! Popping over to visit now. x

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      Thanks Jodi – and yes shorts can look classy and funky. Depends on the way you want to style them.

  • http://Claireyhewitt.blogspot.com Claireyh

    Oh dear, so no pedal pusher pants teamed with a slim line puffer for this spring?

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      Yes, sorry about that Claire ;)

  • http://bookgrrl.wordpress.com Steph

    I ditched my 3/4 pants and have never regretted the decision, but have yet to take the plunge to wear shorts. Great article!

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      Play around with short lengths to suit you before you go shopping. You will find a pair that works!

  • http://www.directionstech.com.au April Neylan

    Hi Nikki :) What’s your oppinion on wearing shorts to work in the corporate world? Do you think it can work??

    • http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

      Yes, I think it can. Obviously it depends on the workplace’s dress code but a short that goes to just above the knee teamed with a jacket and heels is just as stylish as a skirt.