THE LONG AND SHORTS OF IT ...

BY FELPHAM FASHION GURU VICKY BOOKER

Shorts. In my opinion, one of the hardest items of clothing to find in a flattering fit! It’s summer so the shorts will inevitably come out, but what style do you go for? Here are some of my picks from the high street and why they might work for you.

The Denim Short

A classic, and often the go-to style when it comes to summer casual. A lot of denim shorts are very casual (often called Boyfriend style) and can be very short! I like these Rinsed Cargo Denim shorts by Next. They’re on-trend with the cargo pockets but have a very sleek flat-fronted look. Even though they have a tie waist, they don’t look like they will add bulk around the tummy and can easily be worn casually or dressed up.

The Smart Shorts

These are The Chessie Chino shorts by Hobbs. The bold cobalt is an on-trend this summer, but they come in classic navy and white too. The belt loops lend themselves to styling up with a smart belt, and they’re cool cotton with a little bit of stretch for comfort. Not too tight on the thighs either which is usually a flattering look on most body shapes.

The Print Short

I love the pattern of these linen shorts by Boden (Ivory Conversational Print), and they come in three other colourways and prints. The shirred waist looks like it’s a decent dept to avoid digging into the tummy area, and unlike many looser linen shorts they have pockets! Something to look out for with this style is the ‘paper bag’ or very gathered styles. These can add bulk to the tummy area, so avoid if you don’t want to draw too much attention here, and if you have a shorter waist as you’ll run of our space for the extra fabric!

The Longer Shorts!

I know many of my clients love the idea of shorts but aren’t keen on showing too much leg! So, a longer short is ideal. A word of caution here – be careful of the much longer knee-length shorts as they can look a little unflattering. Not many people I know want to draw attention to their knees – and that’s exactly what these can do – so picking a length that finishes on a slimmer part of your leg is best – usually just above the knee, or mid-thigh. These Turned Hem Stretch Shorts by Roman are that little bit longer and come in petite as well as regular and eight different colours.

Join me for my Summer Open House event on Friday 9 June from 9.15am to 3pm at 32, Lionel Avenue, Felpham. This is a free pop-in event where you’ll have chance to ask any burning styling questions, try on makeup and shop my pre-loved boutique for a bargain – there may even be some shorts for sale! See you then. More info here: https://vickybooker.com/category/events/ www.vickybooker.com and email: vicky@vickybooker.com