A Fabulous Fit: Shorts

06.11.10

Summer brings with it beautiful weather, endless nights, beach trips and frozen cocktails. But that’s not all, friends! It brings bright colors, printed sundresses, embellished sandals and short shorts. Shorts can be a girl’s best friend or worst enemy, it just all depends on what length and what kind you chose. Below you will find the perfect shorts for your body type!

Pear Shaped

A pear shaped body has narrow shoulders, a small bust and waist but has a heavier bottom with curvier hips, thighs and buttox. [Exactly like the fruit it’s named after!] Women with pear shapes often veer away from shorts due to their want to hide or minimize their thighs and butt. Luckily, shorts that are longer [like Bermuda] are very much in style right now and are perfect for those bodies with a curvier bottom. Here are my top picks for longer shorts!

J Crew Classic Bermuda Short, $29.99, J Crew

J Crew 9″ chino short, $39.50, J Crew

AE Clean Bermuda Shorts, $34.50, American Eagle

Baywood Chino Short - Blue Label - RalphLauren.com

Baywood Chino Shorts, $185.00, Ralph Lauren

Perfect Khaki Shorts, $19-24, Old Navy [I love the green!]

Athletic

As a woman with an athletic body frame, it can either be really easy to dress me or nearly impossible. Women like me have broader shoulders and are more muscular than other woman. This means a wider back and bigger thighs. Since my legs, and the legs of many other athletic body types are bigger due to muscle mass, it’s often hard to find the perfect fit and length for appropriate shorts. This was the first year I actually shopped for shorts, and although I had to try on about 1,000 pairs, I was able to walk out with a bag full of them. Strong, muscular legs should not be hidden, athletic ladies, so show off your hard work!

J Crew Drapey Supper Short, $59.50

J Crew Neon Madras Short, $59.50

Boy Fit Bermuda Shorts, $39.50, American Eagle

Red! Collection Cotton Gab Short, $125, Lacoste

7 For All Mankind, SEVN-3796 JOSEFINA SHORT IN NEW WHITE, 7forallmankind.com

Josephina Short in New White, $149, 7 for all mankind

Petite

If you are petite, shorts are usually not a difficult thing to shop for. Most of my petite friends can pull off shorts that are shorter than some pairs of underwear and still look cute! Either way, women with a shorter, petite frame should look for shorts that are shorter in stature as to create the illusion of longer legs. [Not too short though, the appropriate length should be hitting at mid-thigh]. Unlike pear frames or athletic body types, Bermuda shorts do not flatter a petite frame because they make legs appear shorter. Also, aim for a plainer, stiffer short, as heavy cargo’s, pockets and embellishment add too much bulk, making you appear disproportionate.