‘Shorts’ days are here

Hyderabad: Keep it short and trendy! Talking about some leg show makes a lot of fashion sense if you are caught between the scorching sun and slushy monsoon. Fuss-free, with a boyish charm yet essentially smart and sensual, shorts make life stylishly easy for a busy fashionista. This season Michael Kors paraded them in stripes, while DKNY settled for them in distressed denim.

There’s no risk of slipping into the predictable zone either, because shorts are not short on versatility. “The hem length can happily vary, from thigh-high to knee-length. The cuts too don’t follow any strict order. They are free to go skinny or loose. And I must mention, the monochromatic wide crop pants from Victoria Beckham’s SS 14 collection have been quite a stunner. These culottes look good in soft cotton checks and soft earthy single tones,” says designer Abhishek Dutta.

“Shorts bring a sense of adventure,” declares designer Raakesh Agarvwal. “Keeping comfort in mind, this season calls for cotton and jersey mini pants for daywear, while nylon jerseys qualify for a night out. Always go in for cuts that are clean yet sexy. Pistachio, rose, salmon, lemon and lavender make for lovely colours to sport. Whites are sure-picks if it isn’t a rainy day. I feel solids look best. But if you are a ‘print’ person, geometric and graphic prints are the way to go,” he says.

The story is incomplete without the right upper-wear. Raakesh suggests, “Since shorts in essence flaunt a somewhat boyish tailoring, go in for feminine cut tops. You can pair a well-fitted shell top or a bustier and crop jacket with both shorts and cropped pants. For an evening out, go a little more sexy and pair your shorts with a halter neck, a sleeveless sequinned top or a draped embellished top. A nice silk shirt for a formal do or cute shell tops for the day also make the cut. And if there is a light breeze, add a tailored blazer.”

However, let no faux pas spoil this chic outing. Raakesh has a word of caution, “Fabric is the key when wearing shorts. Avoid transparent material. Most importantly, ensure your legs are well taken care of. Don’t over-accessorise. Stick to nude footwear or a nice pair of heels, and a smart bag.”

Designer Gautam Gupta loves the ‘shorts’ days of summer too. “Nothing beats them. But of course, not without those toned legs. And remember, this style statement is best defined by keeping things simple.”

Detailing the trendy variations on offer, Gautam says, “High-waist shorts are a retro style that’s trending this year. These pants hug the curve of your waist, and give you an hourglass shape even if you don’t have model-length legs. And why not let this casually carefree attire make its way into the boardroom with the assistance of a summer jacket? The short-suits require some mix and match job and is best achieved by keeping things sober. And the prettiest ones in the pack are the girlie shorts with lots of lace, silk and floral accents. Dress it up with gauzy blouses and heels.”

On the hottest prints and colour scheme, he adds, “A range of hues, from bright and bold primary shades to cool pastels, fit perfectly here. Animal prints, bold geometric shapes and feminine florals make a chic statement. And for a stunner of a show, mixing and matching vertical and horizontal stripes gets my thumbs up.”