By Gretta Monahan
This is a not-so-long story about a short subject. With summer officially underway, it’s time to kick your warm-weather wardrobe into high gear … and get your shorts party started, so to speak.
Of course, it’s not all casual — some are office-worthy shorts that don’t sacrifice sass or style but are still appropriate and super chic. And depending on how you style them, some are dressy enough to pull off for evening.
On the relaxed day side of things, I love the low-key look of denim, as long as they’re not too short or overly tight. J. Crew has an extremely versatile pair in a medium length and a dark “Von” wash that works as well for the beach with a tank top as it does paired with a flowy cotton top for a patio lunch. For work — even in a casual office — you really have to keep length in mind. I never go above mid-thigh (the Bermuda shorts from Banana Republic in royal violet are playful but subdued), and pair them with a top with sleeves or wear a cotton blazer and low heels (save the sneakers or flip-flops for Saturday at the pool).
Nighttime shorts can be a challenge to make work, but the key ingredients here are the right material and the right shoes. Silks, laces, satins, brocades and anything else that adds special details and a drape to shorts is great, especially when you wear them with a shoe with (at least!) a 3-inch heel. I love the new Somme floral-lace shorts by Joie that Nordstrom is selling. And H&M has a high-waisted pair in multi-color zigzags that, along with some tall wedges, a delicate silk tank and a linen jacket tossed over, can take on the town any night of the week.
