BERLIN — Shorts are an essential part of every hot-weather wardrobe and practically every woman can find a pair that suits her style. Right now shorts with polka dots and floral patterns made with light colors and materials are in fashion, according to style consultant Katharina Starlay.
A popular alternative is sporty shorts or even military style shorts. “The blue-denim shorts that were so short you could see the pocket dangling out have gotten longer. A few are so long they cover the knee,” she says.
Not every woman should wear shorts. Hot pants are for young, slender women with long legs, according to personal shopper Maria Hans. “They look great with sneakers or sandals.” Hot pants are not the only type of shorts that can be a bad mistake on the wrong body. “Bermuda shorts are basically more figure-friendly, but depending on the cut, they can make the bottom look quite large.”
Length plays a major role in deciding the right pair of shorts to wear. “It’s a little like the discussion over knee-length skirts,” says Starlay. The question is whether above or below the knee suits you better. “You won’t do yourself any favours with a hemline just above a large knee. That will only make it look even bigger.” Starlay has a useful guideline to help decide: “No matter what the fashion is, the hemline should always be positioned at the point where the leg has a nice, narrow point. With some people that’s over the knee, with others it’s below.” Hans says the new shorts designs are best combined with sporty, laid-back looks.