Besides all the beautiful floral and airy summer dresses, what’s summer’s other style semaphore? Shorts, of course! From boxers, fun-time prints, hot pants to distressed denim and tailor-made, shorts have plenty of options to choose from.
This once reserved-only-for-men silhouette made inroads into women’s wardrobe during World War II, shares designer Gautam Gupta. Elucidating further, he shares, “Women’s fashion, especially in the 50s, reflected a complicated mix of conservatism and glamour, balancing the girl-next-door freshness with an aura of alluring femininity. And women who had lived through the privations of the Great Depression and World War II began to afford new styles — from the elegance of grand, sweeping skirts to shorts and trousers. When women pulled on pants to work in the factories during World War II, they discovered a new kind of freedom and comfort. From loose hostess pants to tight-knit slacks and shorty shorts, these once reserved-only-for-men silhouettes made inroads into women’s wardrobe.”
Picking out different types of shorts to go for this summer, designer Samant Chauhan says, “Anti-fit shorts are really in these days. So, don’t even think twice before getting into one of them. These are loose and comfortable and perfect for summer. City shorts are another great option as they look great in anything from crisp white linen to brocades and thigh skimming ruffles. Wear it with a blazer, brogues and buttoned-up shirt. You also have skater shorts, which are wide-cut, baggy, low-slung and invariably printed with palm trees or something similar. Wear it with baseball T-shirts, high tops and shades to get the perfect look. Hotpants, how can we ever avoid them! Just wear with a plaid shirt and school jumpers. And no heels, please!”
While on the subject of heels, are we not allowed to wear heels with any sort of shorts? Designer Ashish N. Soni explains, “Your feelings of foolishness are dependent on the height of your shorts.” He adds, “The longer the shorts, the higher the heels. So for mid-thigh or above, go for a low wedge; for anything longer, get out the heels and you’ll look good.”
On another note, designer Pria Kataaria Puri reminds us that one of the pitfalls of wearing shorts is remembering to balance out your top too. She advises, “Keep your top proportional to your short. Don’t wear a long top with short shorts. Try pairing Bermudas with a tank or tee instead of a long sleeve shirt. But again, the key is to strike the balance that works for you.”
Lastly, designer Karn Malhotra has advice for women of all shapes and sizes when it comes to shopping for shorts, “If you’re in the market for a pair of shorts, but aren’t sure about the length, then a good rule of thumb is to find a style that’s somewhere in the middle. Styles with a rolled hem allow for a little customisation when it comes to where your shorts will hit on your thighs. If you’re petite and your goal is to give yourself a bit more height, then try a slightly shorter short. Showing a bit more skin will give the illusion of longer legs — just make sure that your bum is still adequately covered. To elongate your legs ever more, pair short shorts with wedges or heels. If you’re going for shorty shorts, then look for clean hems. This will give your look a bit more polish.”
