Upgrade Your Summer Style: Tips for Shorts Styled Right

Summertime is prime time for shorts. If your trusty standbys have seen better days, you may be ready for something different. “We are creatures of habit. We choose the same styles, the same colors over and over again,” says Gretchen Bell, a professional wardrobe stylist in Seattle. “When we step outside of our box, we often find we look great in something we would never expect.”

With that advice in mind, consider Bell’s tips on how to artfully wear shorts while still feeling like yourself.

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Fit

A bad fit ages people the most, Bell says. “Having extra fabric, like pleats, or selecting a very wide short that is too big, adds weight to your frame. Shorts should just skim the body and fit in the waist. And stick with flat fronts.”

Length

Too-long styles also create problems. “Shorts for men should always hit above the knee, never below. Women often assume that a long short looks better because it offers more coverage, but usually a shorter short is more flattering.”

Footwear

Shoes are an important consideration, says Bell. “Dark shoes tend to cut off the look of your leg, making you appear shorter and drawing all the attention to your feet.” For men, she recommends light-toned sandals, loafers or low-cut sneakers worn with no-show socks. Women can opt for nude or light-colored styles with a slightly stacked sole or wedge.

Proportion

Outfits that look great are always in proportion. With shorts, “You are looking to show off your legs. Balance your look by showing a bit of your arms too,” says Bell. Try rolling up your sleeves or wearing a three-quarter sleeve.

Tucking

An untucked shirt also cuts off your body in an unflattering way. If you don’t want to tuck it in all the way, consider a French tuck with the front of your shirt tucked into your shorts and the back left out.