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From
sizzling hot pants to knee-grazing Bermuda styles, shorts are
this summer's
hottest fashion statement. To get you prepped
for the dog days ahead,
we've compiled a short list of the season's most flattering.
 Summer
wouldn't be the same without their air-conditioned ease. But let's
face it: finding a pair of shorts that flatter can be, well, no
day at the beach. Like pants, shorts have specific tailoring issues
you must keep in mind in order to guarantee a good fit. We know-the
last thing you want to do is spend your precious summer holed
up in some overheated fitting room. Don't sweat it. We've already
done the legwork for you. Following is a summer-ready guide of
styles that make the cut for fit and flattery. And since you'll
likely need more than one pair to see you through the summer,
we've also included some suggestions on the most appropriate places
to sport your new shorts.
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SHORT
CUT
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THE
LOOK
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FLATTERS…
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GOOD
FOR…
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Athletic
(aka Gym shorts) |
Elastic waist pull-on style usually worn working out. Some
come with drawstring ties, and/or side vents for extra ease
of movement. |
Just about every body type. The elastic gives, which means
you'll have plenty of breathing room. |
The health club, a 5K run, or on your morning walk. One rule
of thumb: If the occasion breathing room. doesn't involve
breaking a sweat, you probably shouldn't be wearing them.
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Bermuda
(aka walking shorts) |
Just-above-the- knee shorts that fit close to the leg. (They
get their name from the vacation place where men first wore
them as streetwear. |
Anyone with long legs. Proportionally- speaking, the longer
the short, the shorter your legs will look. |
The office picnic, if your company's dress code allows them.
Dark, solid colors with minimal details are the most appropriate. |
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Board shorts |
Lengths vary from thigh-highs to knee- skimmers. They usually
ride low on the hips. |
Slim-all-over types with few . curves will reap the most benefits
from this style. Its hip-hugging proportions help create the
illusion of curves. |
The beach or a poolside party |
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Cargo |
Thigh-high shorts with very large button-flap pockets on the
legs. |
Women with thicker thighs. The loose fit allows for more room
to move, sit, stretch your legs. Caveat: the oversize nature
of this style can make you look likewise if you don't choose
your proportions with care. |
A weekend hike, pool party or spectator sport. |
Cut-offs
(aka Daisy Dukes) |
An abbreviated version of the full-length jeans we live in
on weekends. Usually cut off well-above the knee and frayed.
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Hourglass figures, especially in styles that sit at the waist
and skim the hips. Because of their overt sexiness they .
are definitely not for fashion introverts. |
A backyard barbecue with friends, or any time the occasion
is extremely informal. |
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Hip-huggers |
Low-riding shorts that rest on the hips rather than the waist.
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Slim body types. Pick a style with a . drawstring and you
can create your own curves. Also works for women with thick
thighs, especially if the pair flares at the leg. Styles with
flat fronts offer the smoothest finish. |
A summer concert or picnic (especially in a funky madras plaid). |
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Hot pants |
Short shorts that barely clear the derriere, and cling to
every curve |
Petite or short-legged women with short, slim legs. Shorter
shorts make legs . look longer. The skimpier the style, the
more it will draw attention to your bon-bon, so make sure
your backside is in shape for all the attention. |
A sweltering hot dance club, or occasions when anything goes |
Once
you've decided on a style you like on the rack, the next test
is to see how it looks on the body. Some fitting room checkpoints:
First, check out the "rise," or length from waist to crotch; it
shouldn't pinch or droop. The shorts' backside should skim the
body and have a smooth appearance. (If the shorts hug you uncomfortably
while you're standing up, chances are the discomfort will only
get worse once you sit down.) The upper thigh should have enough
ease so that it doesn't cut off your circulation, but watch out
for the other extreme--too much bagginess will make you look wider,
shorter and slouchy. Lastly, make sure the shorts are comfortable
in the hip area. Iif the shorts fit through the hip but not the
waist, you may want to get them anyway-it's easier to alter the
waistline than to try to make the adjustment the other way around.
So,
how much will looking this hot set you back? Anywhere from $24
to $100 on average, although if you hit the mall during a summer
sale, you may be able to snap up several pairs for next to nothing.
And the money you save can been spent on savoring the lazy, hazy,
crazy days of summer before they're all gone.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Vanessa
Bush has covered the beauty and fashion scene for a host of
magazines including Glamour and Honey, and she is currently an
editor at Essence. She is the co-author, with supermodel Tyra
Banks, of Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out. Vanessa and her family
make their home in New Jersey.
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