My Husband, fondly he imagines, calls my legs 'chicken drummers' so, unless really forced to wear a pair, I don't. My belief is that if it's really hot, I'll wear a dress, and if it's not hot enough for a dress, it can't be hot enough for full leg exposure in shorts !!! Simples!
I do see that some occasions need shorts- sporty ones, casual ones, hard manual work type ones, on a boat type ones- and, amazingly,my search has shown me some really lovely ones which, were it not for the mental scarring, I might well consider myself.
A word of warning though- whether you look and feel dowdy and dated in shorts will, like most other clothes, DEPEND ON YOUR SHOE !! I'm afraid that, unless you just don't care, and that's fine if you don't and you're just getting on with it, your ancient Reikers or your Velcro fastening Sandals from Hawkshead, just aren't going to cut it ! Think Birkenstock, Slides, Converse, Jewelled Flat, Gladiators, even a Moccasin...
The same goes for tops. One thing is for sure, pulling out your old, pilled polo shirt isn't going to make you feel great. I still feel anxiety rising when I think of polo shirts - a hangover from trying, and failing, to get the ridges straight on the front of my blue Brutus one, aged 13. They weren't made for anyone with a bust and no sense of the absurd!!
A crisp white T Shirt ( H&M do a brilliant selection at a great price), a boxy shirt ( maybe broderie ) or a pretty camisole are all wise options. Next have loads of styles of the latter with various strap widths depending on the bra situation and in lots of different colours and patterns. Well worth a look.
Starting off with Plain and starting off with Denim, this faded roll hem pair from Limited Edition look cool without being too try hard. Crucially the length avoids any comparison with Daisy Duke !
New Look Blue Denim Boyfriend Shorts £19.99
Perhaps a better option to rolling down the legs to is to select your leg length at the point of purchase. Boden have a couple of styles which allow you to choose short shorts or a more modest length. They are certainly not the cheapest option but, being Boden, you will tire of them before they give up the ghost. And, also being Boden, they come in a wide range of deep dye colours and classy prints which look fabulous with the toning ( or even clashing ) colours of their tops. These shorts will last a life time, so choose well.
Bistro Long
Bistro Short. Love those stripes!
Another great style from Boden is the slightly thicker Chino shorts, also in 2 lengths - 4" or a 9" leg-and in 14 different colour ways !
And 2 of the the short versions
Linen, despite its almost suicidal tendency to crease, is a good option for really hot weather shorts . Boden (again, sorry !) do a pair in 5 different shades and two different leg lengths. Helpfully, short and long! Sometimes linen can be very thin but there's no issue here with flesh coloured underwear-its definitely not so diaphanous that you need to worry.
Boden Linen Shorts £45
Linen Shorts in Chambray
Thankfully, Next do a more reasonably priced linen blend option (55% linen, 45% viscose), at only £16. They will not be as cool as the100% linen pair from Boden but I guess you need to ask yourself if you really will be somewhere THAT hot that the price difference is worth it. You can always spend the money you save on a couple more margaritas. Holiday Maths!
Next Linen Blend Shorts £16
This style comes in 4 useful colours-orange, black, navy and white. They are a draw string waist however which, although allowing you to expand after lunch, means you do have to live with the awful bunching of the ties . I hate that - it ruins the line of your top and adds a peculiar bulk right in the spot you least want it ie around your stomach !
Rear view
The final offering from Next are the workhorse of shorts, the Chino style, which are very reasonably priced at only £16. They are made in Petite, Regular and Tall so, once again you have a choice of leg lengths. Also in 5 different colours.
Next Chino Shorts £16
Although, as a general rule, being too" matchy "can be very dating-a plain white or black t shirt is often the better option-I just thought I'd throw in the coordinating scallop hem shell tops from Next. They have some extremely attractive lace on the front panel with the advantage of a cotton jersey back for greater movement. Clever Next make them in all the three fits too.
Next Scallop Hem Shell Tops £15
And, finally in the Utility section as I now call it in my head, two pairs from Marks and Spencer. Neither exciting in themselves but a good starting point for adding interest with a top or shoes. Both a decent leg length.
Available in white and beige.
Available in pale sand, black, navy, apple and deep pink. They finish mid thigh and are a great price.
New Look Navy Stripe Shorts £14.99
For some reason M&S style these shorts with a pair of strappy white block heeled sandals. Ugh! Whilst they are a more structured pair of shorts ,why anyone would want to wear them as formal wear (as those heels suggest) is beyond me. Stick with pretty flat sandals or slides.
Sticking with pretty I love, love , love these embroidered shorts from Boden. The conversion to shorts has begun ! Again, by no means cheap, they are quite lovely. Both the outer and the lining are 100% cotton and they are fitted through waist and hip. With true Boden eye for detail, they include belt loops although I feel a belt would spoil the line in truth.
The description on the website states that they finish mid thigh so more than suitable for those of us with issues !
Boden Pretty Embroidered Shorts £39.20-£49 depending on colour
Another pair in a similar vein, in equal part both clean lines and boho, are these pom pom shorts from New Look. The lace detailing is not OTT and the pom poms lend a playful air to simple shape. You might want to save them for holiday but they are guaranteed to make you smile. and you're never too old for that!
Top Shop Cream Pom Pom Shorts £32
Top
Now follows a collection of all my favourite prints and patterns which are a million miles away from frumpy yet steer clear from delusions of youth ! Just make sure that they FIT, do not ride up your backside or cut into your tummy. Nothing looks or feels more tragic than squeezing into shorts (or indeed any clothes) which are too small. Cool is always comfortable. With the caveat that comfortable is not always cool-see reference to Reikers above !!
New Look Blue Tie Waist Tile Print Border Shorts £14.99
Stylish and a brilliant price. These will look good with your Toms or Superga.
These are probably my favourite. They have an Oriental inspired floral print, the colours of which are really subtle and delicate. It reminds me of those beautiful Japanese Silk Screen prints . You can wear these during the day for casual elegance but, unlike many of the shorts I've included, they can easily carry you through to the evening. Lovely on holiday and I'm thinking, when it gets a bit chilly, continue the oriental theme with a shortish, plain kimono instead of a jacket or cardigan. Just a thought!
New Look Black Multi strap Metal Trim Ankle Strap Gated sandals £22.99
Chic and fresh. Don't be afraid of high waisted. Provided you don't buy them too tight, a high waist can be your friend, providing support and shape. Given the additional material in these shorts I would suggest a more fitted T shirt .
These have a retro vibe going on which is very on trend this summer. They manage to look both glamorous and relaxed. They are a mix of cotton and polyester so should retain the drape very nicely. Team with black or white but do not be tempted to "pick out " the blue. It will be a mistake!
River Island is the prince of patterned shorts! They go on, none a dud!
Stay away from that blue. No one under 30 will touch it and neither should you.
How about this navy pair with the magical patterns? These are a slightly longer length and a bit of a heel is permissible here, but don't go mad. It would be a shame to interfere with the clean cut line of these shorts so a top which rests on or slightly above the waistline is the best option here.
Definitely not "action " shorts but for strolling, day or night ,if you feel up to it, there can't be a better value pair. Another bargain are the paisley print ones below.
The vibrant paisley print and the simple cut whisper "effortlessly cool". These are true statement shorts, definitely not for the gardening. although at that price you could be the best dressed gardener in your manor if you chose to !
Shorts. The end. I trust that I have fulfilled the brief but, as ever, do let me know. Unless you're my sister, then, much as I love you, keep your thoughts to yourself !
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