While some women think they can’t wear shorts as they get older—even Helen Mirren quipped “I wouldn’t be seen dead in shorts,” many of us are still happy to be in the gam game. Maybe Dame Mirren hasn’t seen the current crop of shorts. There’s a whole range of gorgeous styles: lace, eyelet, wrapped, ruffled, wildly printed, canvas, linen, silk, denim, destroyed. For many people, shorts have definitely preempted skirts as a summer sartorial style choice.
Shorts (in the right style) can be worn to cocktail parties and to the office. Oh wait. Most of us are working from home. Well, then, you definitely can wear shorts to work, and they will be a nice upgrade from PJ bottoms on your Zoom calls.
If you feel shorts are just too, um, short, try the skort, a popular fashion lovechild: shorts bred with a skirt. You’ll still feel all the freedom of shorts tempered by the modesty of that skirt panel.
Here’s my, ahem, short list of options for working the look this summer.
Read More: 9 Swimsuits for Women Over 50 That Real People Will Actually Wear
The Short List
Wear: Zara High waisted “Mom” shorts with five pockets. Cuffed hem.
Where: Walks in the park, hanging out with friends.
Wear: Shopbop taffeta high-waist shorts with belt over an elastic waist.
Where: Cocktails at sunset.
Wear: Anthropologie linen belted shorts.
Where: Garden parties.
Wear: Elegant yet edgy Shopbop faux snakeskin shorts
Where: For a night out on the town.
Wear: Linen sailor shorts from Boden.
Where: The nautical look makes them perfect for beach or boardwalk visits.
Wear: High-waisted shorts with a pleated, paperbag waist from Banana Republic.
Where: Any place! This is the perfect shorts silhouette for sophisticated dressing.
Wear: High-waisted Hawaiian print shorts by Scotch and Soda.
Where: Backyard BBQs.
Wear: J.Crew pleated, high-rise shorts in colorful gingham.
Where: Day trips into the city.
Wear: Zara denim skort with asymmetric pareo-style front.
Where: Visits to farmers’ markets and antique festivals.
Gigi says
Great short story Kim!!
Laura Still says
I’m not a fan of shorts or skorts. I find skirts cooler in the heat/humidity of Knoxville summer, and white is my favorite color in July and August. But I mostly work outside.
sacha says
you got the gams for shorts lady! stunning as always.
Me, um, maybe the knee length cos ones, or maybe with tights under!
(which takes me back to the 80’s striped tights ripped jean shorts)
Go you!
Teresa Waak says
Skorts only these days. No accidents!!!
Spike says
Lookin’ good Kim!