Are You Wearing Shorts?

What does summer mean to you? Bikinis and cover-ups? Or, how about this season's most important silhouette—SHORTS? Starting to sweat and feel completely distraught just hearing the word?

I was recently asked to comment on a shorts story, the various different styles of shorts and how to wear them this summer. My response?  "We gotta get women to want to wear shorts first."

When I learned that a recent client of mine (see accompanying photo) doesn't own one pair of shorts, I asked if I could cut her Dolce and Gabbana trousers into shorts, updating and highlighting her a-mazing legs. 

After persuading my new client to place one photo of the once-Dolce-pantsuit-turned-newly-styled-short-suit on my Facebook wall for more unbiased reactions, (I needed back-up,) "love" and "likes" occurred instantly.

Ironically, I could understand far too well my client's fear of wearing shorts—moving to the beach shook me out of a really ridiculous, negative lifelong leg obsession (and body image issue.)

At 44 years old, I was dead set on NEVER wearing shorts. A dress above my knees without tights? Only if it was sweltering. When cotton jersey maxi dresses came into trend three seasons ago, I felt saved. Now no one would ever have to know my secret of the knees.

A client once told me that I had no idea what it was like to have my legs rub together. Covering up my legs in floor-length heavy cotton was like wearing my own prescribed fat suit, I felt the rub.

Then one Saturday afternoon in Hollywood, after enjoying burger and beer pairings at Stout on Cahuenga, I found the liquid courage to walk next door to Urban Outfitters.

Probably not owning a pair of shorts in 10-plus years, I had no idea shorts had come far from the "grip my thighs, make my butt feel big"-feeling I had in my 20s.

I found grey-flared shorts and wore them for the need of intervention, conquering a lifelong self-imposed fear of shorts. Yes, I still have cellulite, but at 44 who is going to say "I can't work it?" Certainly not me any longer!

Are you living as your own bad lieutenant (like I once was?) Here are the five most important styling tips to wearing shorts when you think you can't:

1. Try exploring shorts when it's just too hot to care about anything but remaining cool.
2. Just like mastering style proportions for skinny jeans, volume on top is ultra important in the short department. Try tops that breathe and flow, falling off your shoulder. Stay away from tight tanks and tees.
3. Kitten heels and little baby wedge sandals will give you an arch in your back. No need to jack your legs up in heels thinking it will make your legs look slimmer; it's actually the opposite.
4. Nude or fleshtone shoes are your secret weapon. Elongating, seamless and evaporative. Your legs will gain two inches in length while slimming you down a few pounds.
5. You know this one—tan legs hide everything. Do not crutch on spray tanning. It's only a security blanket if it's mixed with a prior tan or sprayed on light if you avoid the sun.

And here's one last big self-esteem style tip: please do not continue to use the word "hate" when describing anything regarding your physical appearance.....Knee-boobie-booty- wardon's-Be gone!

xx
Barbra

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