The shorts season: Guidelines on wearing shorts

by Farirai Macheka

You have heard it all. Don’t wear shorts, your legs are too thin, you will expose your calves, you are too hairy, your stretch marks will show. With so many people running around with ‘Don't wear shorts’, placards you end up wondering if you will ever wear short. It’s time for shorts to have their moment this summer. No need to wait for that trip to the Maldives or Troutbeck to be able to rock your shorts.

Know your audience and setting. That trip to see your mother in law rocking ripped shorts can book you a place in the hall of shame. We all know that shorts are appropriate for outdoors or lounging with friends. When you are in doubt then it means you shouldn't wear shorts. It’s important to know your audience, there is always that unspoken dress code.

We’ve come to live by this mantra ‘If it's skin tight it's not right’. If the shorts don't fit properly, you are not going to wear them. Here are key areas to look at when we talk about great/ perfect fit

  1. Waistband -You should be able to rock shorts with or without a belt. If you see your shorts sliding down to your hip area, and you find yourself constantly needing to adjust them, then they are not for you. They should fit around the waist line
  2. Width-Shorts shorts should allow you to move around (have wiggle room) and are supposed to be fitted. You can do the pinch test to ascertain fit. If you can't pinch the shorts then hold on to your dollars and continue with your search
  3. Tapered -If they look like your granddad's wide legged pants, with that signaturehand-me- down trim, then a simple ‘no’ will do. Shorts should be tapered.

This is the time to flaunt those toned summer legs. Shorts should be a couple of centimetres above the knees. If shorts are longer you have successfully hit that quintessential tourist or farmer look. Too much leg then you start worrying about your modesty. The higher the rise, the more leg that you will show. It boils down to how you feel about your legs. The key to wearing shorts is to draw away attention on parts of your legs that you deem unflattering. Apart from your shorts drawing attention, the hem is a detail that attracts the eye. Always make sure that the hem sits on the most flattering part of your legs. Shorts that go beyond the area will drown your legs in fabric and defeat the whole point of rocking shorts

Ask yourself if you will be able to wear the shorts in the next twelve (12) months. Invest in quality over quantity. We suggest you scout around for high end designer brands that will give you so many wears. Focus on buying timeless shorts that you will wear over and over again.

When you on your shopping spree to add shorts to your wardrobe remember these golden rules. You definitely need to live by them.

by Farirai Macheka

Instagram

Follow Us

Newsletter