As always, my return to New York was deeply glamorous: I was greeted by stinking heat; a taxi ride home from the airport by (really, I think you could scientifically prove him to be) the angriest man alive; and a kitchen stocked with nothing but dog food and Honey Nut Cheerios. Still: It’s great to be home. Isn’t it always? I’ll be posting a few bits about my favorite shopping moments in a little. Meanwhile:
I just got a load the new J. Crew catalogue in my big old pile of back-from-vacation mail. Could this shirt scream my name any louder?
And also: Damn you, J. Crew catalogue, for making these shorts look all slouchy and easy and wearable. I ask you, people: What is it about shorts anyway? Why are they so impossible? Have you guys figured out a way to make them happen? One that doesn’t involve those super-duper high-waisted ones all the kids are wearing? Is there a flattering short to be had in this land? Or do they all make you feel like a gym teacher? This is the type of stuff that really eats away at me.
I gave up on shorts a decade ago. Now it’s either clamdiggers, capris or loose white cotton pants rolled up boyfriend style.
I run miles and miles and miles each week and because of/despite this I can’t wear shorts without some hideous crotch thing happening. I try to stick with casual skirts or dresses.
I try hard but can’t seem to find a way to be happy in them. Usually I want them to cover my knees, which probably means they aren’t shorts anymore…
i have discovered shorts again…long cargo, black to wear with a jacket and some wedge sandals and a shorter pair to wear the same way. it’s just about elongating the body when we shorter girls of a certain age wear them. and the jacket adds a touch. you can do it if i can.
What I’ve discovered about shorts: if you want that perfectly slouchy look, you have to size up. Sometimes two sizes. And it’s painful to buy shorts in that size, it is, so then you cut out the size tag and drink a large glass of wine. Magic!
I wish they would perfect a slouchy/fitted short hybrid.I want slouch but I don’t want the um, widened posterior that going up a size or two gives the appearance of.
I am a late 30s, petite hourglass & I like to wear shorts about an inch or two above my knee. I can add a jacket and heels, sexy top and strappy sandals, or a tee and my Converse-they are all occassion appropriate.
My moment for shorts has long gone and I have come to terms with that. I run, I’m fit, I think I look pretty good. But shorts just don’t look good on me anymore. I’ve moved on to maxi dresses and caftans.
CAFTANS. YES. With giant hoop earrings. The end.
You just hit a point or an age where shorts and miniskirts make one feel ridiculous. I’m 42 and my legs look the same as they did 15 years ago but a few years ago I just felt like I looked desperate in anything short. I don’t know what happened.
I’m trying to shop for a holiday to France on Wednesday. The shorts thing depresses me any way you cut it. I even lowered myself to buying something something my fashion-blind husband laughed at. They were:
1. Cropped below the knee
2. Aztec print
3. … in flourescent colours.
4. HIgh-waisted
5. Elasticated-waisted
6. Big pockets over the lady areas
Don’t know WTF I was thinking either.
But all that – read the list again – instead of allowing a pair of shorts onto my legs.(except maybe wondering “how can my legs look so normal in skirts and so hideous in shorts?”)
So stocking up on dresses instead, and bringing spanx along to stop the thigh chafage. Don’t say we’re not glamorous, ladies.
Ugh I’m the exact opposite, I’m 42 and just gave myself permission to wear shorts, which I do all the time now. I’m really starting, at my advanced age, to totally not GAF
Good for you!
But seeeee.. IS it good for me? Or am I starting to slowly lose any shred of vanity I ever had? Ha!
I do not look good in shorts. I have no right to wear them, according to the satiorical gods. It makes me feel sort of rebellious to sacrifice style over comfort in 100 degree heat. I MAY be going through a phase!
I agree that this is an ongoing issue for women, the question of comfort v. aesthetics. My take is, a bit of sacrifice is okay on occasion, but go very far and you start to look like you’re trying too hard, which is the worst of all.
I have a theory that almost any style can work on almost anyone if it’s cut right for them. But, I may be completely wrong!
Ugh, shorts.
But also, ugh, J Crew for not including their models’ measurements for us. The shorts (or dresses, whatever) the 5’9 model is wearing look like hell on my 5’3 frame. I stick to sweater shopping online.
The problem with shorts is that they either have to be long and cut a little close a couple inches above the knee (then worn with a sharp linen t and jacket) or they have to be pretty short. If they are the length depicted, on me anyway, they cut my thigh at the widest point. My thighs aren’t that big but somehow they look beefy. They have to be three inch hem (I think that’s what j crew calls them).
Dunno about slouchy. Too much work, slouchy, what? belt? roll them up? Too much effort.
Turning away from shorts….the shirt certainly looks like a Gretchen Scott “inspired” embroidered tunic.
Ouch!
Shorts?!
Are you kidding me?
How tall are you?
Would The Sartorialist refer to your legs as “sturdy?”
How old are you?
Seriously. I have not even considered shorts for at least ten years.
I think that very short shorts need to be fitted/tight-ish.
The ones that are in now — quite short and loose and often, pleated (!? the horror …) — do not look good on anyone. The people who can wear them can wear them because they can wear anything. They would still look MUCH better in shorts that were a) not pleated and b) more fitted.
Whereas, it may be that a more fitted shorts look can be almost any above-knee length and still look good, depending. The proper length may depend on your legs.
Now, capris … To me, anything higher than a couple inches above the ankle look ghastly. Some people may get away with those just-below-knee ones, but it’s only because they’re in good shape. And they would look much *better* in real capris … like Audrey Hepburn might wear. In Sabrina, not in some other movie. Though come to think of it, I think she did wear short pleated shorts in Sabrina, ruining my post. Oh well, see, she could wear anything.
All of these posts make me feel so much better! Three years ago I went through a stressful time and lost a ton of weight. My body looked like a teenager’s again! I could wear short shorts and look great, in my 40′s. Alas, stress-induced weight loss is hard to maintain, esp when your Dr. gives you a pill to sleep that has the nasty side-effect of rapid weight gain. Now I weigh more than I ever have and I’m back to wearing dresses or skirts in the summer. As Laura said, I only want shorts that cover my knees, and those aren’t actually shorts. I’m glad to be in good company, at least.
I hope you are feeling better. Insomnia is awful. I hope you will be able to sleep better soon.
The thing about those j crew shorts is that they come in different lengths. I like the 7″ and 9″ inch ones with flats only. The “weathered, broken in chinos” in my regular size do slouch some. I only wear lighter colors for fear of looking like a boy scout. And, I do not dress them up–at 53 I cannot possibly look that cool.
Okay, 7″ shorts must be a total dream from my past. There are currently no shorts shorter than 9″ in my collection (I looked), nor would I dare wear them.
Shorts: always buy them one size up (or two, try them on!). I think Old Navy, actually, makes great shorts – you can size up so the waist sits on your hips, but the shorts themselves are not too baggy. I like the mid-length – not the hot pants, not the knee-length.
it is about sizing up and letting them hang with a jacket over it….comeon ladies, you can do it. and screw that it’s too short…the fingertip rule is one thing but if it’s appropriate short and youve got banging legs? show them.
I feel the same way about shorts. Every Spring I try them on and every Spring I leave J.Crew or Gap without buying one pair. I wish I could find a pair that I love. My favorites that I already have in my closet always include a yoga class or run in my plans while wearing.
Kim, I am loving your posts from Paris. On the subject of shorts, I had the same predicament, too long, too short, trashy looking, ugh. Then I discovered the Daisy short by AG and honestly they are the ones, despite the name, and trust me I have some very honest friends who would tell me if they werent! Anyway still only wear them at the beach, but love them. The navy blue ones are great as they have a denimy look without the Raggedy Anne aspect.
Welcome home.
Must concur on going up a size on chino-style shorts. A blow to the ego, but much comfier. However, I’ve all but given up on shorts, especially if I know I’m going to be on the subway. I just … can’t. Knee-length skirts in light cotton voile (surprisingly, some great ones over the years from Old Navy of all places) and the like are my summer uniform. My legs are great (15 years of ballet), but I am uncomfortable in minis and shorts when running around with the kids. Maybe I used up all my miniskirt mojo in the 80s?
No, no shorts here. Ive moved to skirts. Much comfier and prettier too. Shorts are for the very young I believe.
Totally agree on going up a size on the shorts! I thought I had been banished from the land of the 5″ chino short, but the upsizing worked.
The silk shirt is gorgeous and also comes in navy. I bought it without trying it on though, and am bummed to say I have to return it because it makes my hips look really wide (I am short and have a big butt).
Becca
Madewell’s Double-Dutch shorts are pretty much perfect. Slightly higher-waisted (but not so high as to look ridiculous), really great colors, super flattering (really!) and currently on the sale rack. These are the only shorts I feel comfortable going out in…otherwise it’s skirts and dresses for me.
I have about 5 pairs of these very same J Crew shorts. Love them. Great colors.
I don’t quite understand why I think my shorts look great on me when I’m at the beach but then look ridiculous when I return to the city…
Try B.D. Baggies for women. Bought a slouchy pair at Bird in Brooklyn. Tried to find a link, but couldn’t. Slouch has got to be the most elusive thing in all of fashion. I am always seeking it!