Sailor-style button short by Jenni Kayne
$235 at shopbop.com
Showing posts with label shorts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shorts. Show all posts
12 January 2008
31 July 2007
Wedding vows and short shorts don't mix
I completely trust your sense of dress appropriateness…which brings me to this question: would something similar to this shorts-and-cropped-jacket combo be appropriate to wear to a wedding? I'm a huge fan of the slightly sexy/brattiness of dressy shorts but I'm unsure how appropriate they would be at a fairly traditional 3:00PM church ceremony and 5:00PM country club reception.
I don't need a more in-detail explanation of what you mean by "fairly traditional," I don't need to know whether you're considering ballet flats or stilettos, and honestly, I don't even need to know what your figure looks like, because regardless of your responses, the first word out of my mouth would remain a resounding "NO."
I'm not trying to be harsh or hyperbolic, but wearing shorts - booty, city, university or Bermuda - to even the most casual wedding ceremony runs contrary to every tenet of venue-appropriate dress I've tried to impart in the last seven months.
Though I avoid them at all costs for reasons relating to panic attacks, chills and sudden bouts of claustrophobia, I do know and accept the fact that weddings are occasions when the guests must not, out of respect for the bride, draw egregious attention to themselves. This means no wearing white, no excessive cleavage, no mini dresses, no discussion about how this is likely the last time you'll see your girlfriend in a social situation, no shotgunning beers at the reception to lament that fact and certainly no short shorts.
The outfit to which you linked me (pictured above) is adorable, especially that 3/4-sleeve bolero, but no matter how dressy or church-appropriate the above-the-waist components happen to be, those shorts will vitiate all your good effort in one fell three-inch-inseamed swoop. Yeah, they're blousy, yeah, they're pricey, and yeah, they're not that short, but still, at the end of the long, long "heartwarming" day, they're still too casual.
If you're not into skirts or dresses, but you're also on several late Summer, early Autumn wedding rosters, your only option is a pair of lightweight trousers. Were I you, I'd get that bolero, complement it with some high-waisted black trousers, a feminine, tuck-in-able ivory blouse and a pair of polished slingbacks. The best part of this ensemble, better even than the feeling you'll get slipping through the don't-look-better-than-the-bride loophole, is that all these components - the jacket, the pants, the top and the pumps - are versatile staples that can be worn again and again in not only formal but professional and casual venues as well.
Buy the shorts, too, but wear them with cute flats during the day or with heels later in the night. Just please, keep them away from the chapel.
28 June 2007
Since I don't (yet)
Pleat front shorts by Lauren Moffat
unfortunately, this item is no longer available
20 June 2007
09 May 2007
26 April 2007
09 April 2007
Spring Essentials (pt. III): short-sleeve oxford & dress shorts
Like the mid-length trench and the wrap dress, these two wardrobe components - a tailored short-sleeve oxford and a pair of non-denim, non-khaki dress shorts - can easily transition from the Monday through Friday work environment to the weekend brunch at Peacock Cafe.
Okay fine, for those of us not on "The Hills," dress shorts in the office may not be an obvious option, but honestly, just like pre-marital sex, how will you know if it's really as wrong as everyone says it is until you've tried it? Just make sure beforehand to perfect a believeably naïve delivery of the line, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was inappropriate -- I just thought they were cute and since my legs are so toned and there are only men in the office, I don't know, it just seemed like a good idea."
These two choices may strike you as items most women already own, but from my experience in pawing through my friends' closets (that's actually what I'm doing when I excuse myself to use the restroom), I find very few own either piece. They may have the long-sleeve button-up oxford and a well-maintained pair of J. Crew khaki shorts, but frankly, like the good-looking guy on the treadmill next to me watching reruns of "America's Next Top Model" who takes frequent hydration breaks while never breaking 4.0 mph, they're just not good enough. Not nearly good enough.
Tailored short-sleeve oxford
There are few blouses capable of capturing casual-chic, polished-professional and prim-urbanite as well as a crisp, white fitted oxford. With jeans, an A-line skirt, a pencil skirt, dressy bermudas, and if you're indoors, nothing but a great pair of white cotton bikinis, this button-up, especially if it hugs your contours just so, heightens your look from typical Hill intern to K Street sophisticate.
What's the difference between a short-sleeve button-up and a rolled-up-long-sleeved version? Well, to start, if you already own the classic longer-sleeved oxford (which you should), you have every right - and my strong support - to take a few style liberties with its short-sleeved counterpart. I'm a tradionalist when it comes to the long-sleeved oxford; I like the pointed-collar, a fitted but not overly fitted cut, dart-free shirt with sleeves generous enough to be rolled-up in four-inch segments without cutting off the circulation in your forearms. For the short-sleeved button-up, however, I enjoy indulging in a bit more flair. I like the Peter Pan collar, pouf-sleeves, cap-sleeves, flutter-sleeves, pintucked detailing, ruffle-front, tuxedo-bibbing, subtle darting, and a much more tailored, shows-off-your-lady-curves fit. A modern short-sleeve oxford is just as much work-ready as it is weekend ready, and because of its neutral color and versatile style, you'll be hard-pressed to find something in your wardrobe rotation - clothing, shoes, or accessories - that doesn't pair well with this blouse.
For every woman at every size and every age, the white oxford button-up is an essential. You don't need arms like that woman who hosts "Dancing with the Stars," a stomach like Marisa Miller's or a face like Natalie Portman's to successfully pull off this piece -- you just need a good fit, a high-quality cotton fabric and a cut that fits your style personality.
Oh, and of course a keen eye to quickly identify and avoid the keyhole-effect.
Recommended short-sleeve oxford button-ups:
2. Ferdie blouse by Difference America ($188 at nordstrom.com)
4. Lawn Aniston blouse by Theory ($140 at shopbop.com)
5. Panel button shirt by James Perse ($144 at scoopnyc.com)
6. Keen & bright button-up by Odille ($58 at anthropologie.com)
6. Keen & bright button-up by Odille ($58 at anthropologie.com)
7. Adrianna shirt by Elie Tahari ($268 at bloomingdales.com)
8. Talissa top by Tory Burch ($195 at toryburch.com)
9. Balloon-sleeve poplin blouse by Arden B. ($49.99 at ardenb.com)
10. Kacia silk blouse by Theory ($176.25 at pinkmascara.com)
*shown above right
But until every DC fashionista has a nice pair of non-denim, non-khaki, non-nylon, non-canvas, non-capri shorts hung up in the 'weekend' section of her closet, you can expect a good deal more propaganda from me on the dressy shorts front.Unlike the other items on my Spring Essentials list, this essential is limited to warm weather, post-work and weekend excursions only. Despite its restrictions, I still believe a pair of not-too-short, not-too-long, dressy shorts in a neutral color is just as necessary to have in your possession as a good lip shine with SPF or your monthly Harper's Bazaar.
The weakness dressy shorts demonstrate in terms of their seasonal and venue limitations is more than made up for in versatility. If you've splurged on a pair of black Alice + Olivia sateen bubble shorts, there's nothing to stop you from throwing on a Bread-N-Butta graphic tee with some Steve Madden flats for your long Sunday dog-walk to Lafayette Park, or, if you're going more for a night-out-at-Sequoia look, pairing them with a cute, fitted camp shirt and a simple pair of black peeptoes. You don't have to couple expensive with expensive or trendy with trendy, in fact, it's much more fun and imaginative to invest in one new piece and build around it with items already in your possession from past seasons.
Why are denim and khaki shorts unacceptable? Well, with denim, I really don't know what to say. It's like disapproving of those who chew with their mouths open or thinking Hillary Clinton is a shrew -- there's no real, put-your-finger-on-it reason, you just do and know it's right. Denim shorts, both short-shorts or the truly reprehensible stove-pipe knee-length kind, are trashy-looking, hick-looking, hippie-looking, and yes, suburban-Mom looking. Just don't go there. Ever.
With khaki shorts, there's a bit more of a grey area. As long as they aren't pleated or too long (i.e. over 4-inch inseam), they can be okay for certain occasions like barbecues, picnics, moving day and volunteer work.
Just like you aim to be classy and stylish during the week, why not do as much on the weekends as well? Dressy shorts are one of the gateway wardrobe items that ushers in the transition from college girl to professional coquette. In short, it is an essential.
Recommended dressy shorts:
1. Melissa shorts by Alice + Olivia ($176 at shopbop.com)*
2. Voluminous shorts by Laundry by Shelli Segal ($140 at nordstrom.com)
3. City shorts by INC International Concepts ($58 at macys.com)
5. Madeline shorts by Frankie B. ($166 at urbanchiconline.com)
6. Corset shorts (£30 at topshop.com)
7. Check short (£25 at topshop.com)
8. Green short by Adam + Eve ($271 at activeendeavors.com)
10. Gingham shorts by Johnson ($220 at daszign.com)
Check in tomorrow for a much longer than necessary persuasive argument for why you should love and rely on bronzer and round-toed flats as much as I do.
And just because this is too out-of-the-ordinary to not share with you all, I'm currently writing this with gloriously flat, gray, tundra-like mid-Michigan highway scenery (view and wireless connection courtesy of the Michigan Flyer airport shuttle) whipping by my right side while enjoying a William Shatner "That's me trying" soundtrack.
30 March 2007
Stiletto-ready short shorts
Though I pray this never happens, I fear the important someone in the fashion world whose job it is to point at trends and say, "yes," "no," and "only on Chloë Sevigny," is going to wake up one morning in the near future and realize she was wrong to have moved the dressy-short-shorts-and-heels look from the slutty pile to the sophisticated pile.
Because I know you're as fully invested in this trend as I am, I thought it was about time I provided for you a selection of dressy short shorts appropriate not so much for the office, dinner with your friend's parents or a Sunday brunch, but definitely for that Georgetown townhouse party where you know your former beau's new girlfriend (or current wife) will be in attendance.
I personally like wearing my short shorts and heels with a half-preppy, half-"awww, how cute" top like this button-up 'Little Nell' blouse with Mandarin collar, low slung side-sash and pouf cap-sleeves ($78 at anthropologie.com). And in terms of venue, I prefer to sashay this look among older crowds that still aren't privy to last spring's fashion memo that declared shorts-n-heels no longer limited to prostitutes and high-school skanks on their way to becoming prostitutes.
Older men feel like they're looking at something naughty, which in DC translates to an entire evening of "I'd love to get together for lunch sometime and pick your brain about, um...you know, China stuff" conversations.
Older women flat-out just want to kick your ass. The thing is, though, if you're bold enough to rock short shorts and they're in their predictable, full-coverage Eileen Fisher henley dress, they probably kinda sorta can't. And even if there was one who could take you out cleanly, it'd still be worth it -- you can't ever really be on top, after all, without agreeing to a title-fight.
And on that note, enjoy my favorite denim-and-khaki-free picks for this spring's best stiletto-ready dressy short shorts:
Top to bottom:
1. To the lighthouse shorts by Elevenses ($68 at anthropologie.com)
2. Pleated short by Adam + Eve ($265 at shopbop.com)
3. Loyola tweed short by Paul & Joe ($282 at shopbop.com)
4. Pleat front shorts by L.A.M.B. ($145 at shopbop.com)*
5. Shiny banded-cuff shorts ($68 at ardenb.com)
6. Silk shortalls by Twelfth Street ($252 at nordstrom.com)*
7. Polka dot shorts by Johnson ($253 at dazsign.com)
8. High waisted button shorts (£20 at topshop.com)
9. Stretch sateen shorts by James Coviello ($375 at saks.com)
10. Phoebe shorts ($19.80 at forever21.com)
11. Hammish shorts by Theory ($130 at scoopnyc.com)
12. Striped shorts by Joe’s Jeans ($152 at pinkmascara.com)
*your editrix's top picks
21 March 2007
26 February 2007
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