Shorts shape up for long, hot summer

They're a nice alternative to the miniskirts from the last few years.
By LESLEY KENNEDY
SCRIPPS HOWARD
From Daisy Dukes to below-the-knee and office-appropriate, shorts are shaping up to be the big style story for summer.
Designer runway shows offered a parade of short offerings: We saw Bermudas at DKNY, cuffed and high on the thigh at Zac Posen, skinny and knee-length at Chanel, super short and sexy at Carolina Herrera.
Think of them as a replacement for the skirt.
"Miniskirts have been really big for the last two or three summers and shorts are a nice alternative," says Nicole Phelps, executive editor at Style.com. "They're a little preppier, which is trendy right now, and ultimately, they're easier to wear in terms of mobility and comfort and practicality ... Designers are having fun being playful, and summer is the time to do it."
Celebrities seem to be happy to play along. Stars such as Eva Longoria, Charlize Theron, Jessica Simpson, Mischa Barton, Carmen Electra and Jessica Alba have been photographed wearing shorts at everything from shopping sprees to red carpet premieres.
"The celebrities are all wearing short shorts," says Tara Kraft, fashion director at Star magazine and Celebrity Living Weekly. "They can get away with it. They're all on the Zone and South Beach diets and have personal trainers. But the average woman probably wants to find something a little bit longer."
Rules to follow
Kraft says non-celebs should wear short shorts only if they're 5 feet 9 inches tall and very slender, or if they're very young.
But if you do think you can pull off the short-shorts look, she says, be sure to wear a lower-heeled shoe.
"Short shorts with high heels will make you look cheesy and over the top," Kraft says. "It's a little too much. A little too tacky. A little too giving it all away."
Longer versions (think to the knee), especially when they sit low on the waist and come in straight styles, look sleek and, Kraft assures, are totally appropriate for the office.
"In khaki or black, you can pair them with a fitted blazer, kitten heels and pearls and make your outfit into a modern day suit," she says.
Not appropriate
Phelps says not all styles of shorts are work-appropriate, but you can dress up longer pairs for the office.
"There are a lot of shorts in the stores now. One thing we're seeing a lot of is the cuffed high on the thigh length. That won't fly at the office," she says. "To be office safe, the shorts should hit on the lower thigh or right above the knee.
"On the runways for spring, we saw a lot of suits that were sold with shorts as opposed to cropped pants or knee-length skirts. If you don't want to go for such a head-to-toe look, try adding a nice cropped jacket over a tanktop. Just be sure you don't show any midriff. When you're showing that much leg, you don't want to bare too much."
Brief tips on shorts
Short wearing tips from Kraft:
Relaxed, looser fits that hit the knee or lower have a more beachy appeal. Pair them with flip-flops and a tanktop for a cool summer outfit.
In the evening or when the weather's cooler, pretty boots can give a trendy feel to shorts. But keep the shorts neutral in color -- think black, khaki or white -- and pair them with a solid top.
Don't wear big, baggy tops with shorts unless you're wearing a big belt to nip in the waist. "If the shorts are straight and the shirt is loose, you lose your womanly figure," she says. "Wear a blouse that's more fitted and shows off some curves."
If you're wearing shorts that are tighter in the behind, be sure to wear a thong. "Panty lines and shorts are the worst thing you can do," she says.
Style.com's Nicole Phelps' footwear suggestions:
It's hard to go wrong with the season's wedges. "You can find everything from wedge espadrilles to wedge wood heels at all different price points," she says. "They make your legs look longer and can be slimming, which you definitely want if you're going to wear shorts."
On the other hand, "a longer short would look really cute with flats, which are very in this season, or flat sandals."
There's a style for every shape. Learn what works with your shape:
Petite: Make your legs look longer with shorter styles.
Pear shaped: Think longer and slouchier. You want the shorts to be loose where your hips are the widest.
Boy shaped: Try out the new short shorts or the mid-thigh and cuffed styles. This trend was made for you.