With spring/summer 2020 shaping up to be the season of the short, it’s time to invest in fashion’s most polarising piece
There’s often a divide when it comes to shorts. The style can be tricky to pull off, sometimes unflattering and usually reserved for summertime on the beach. But the SS20 catwalk proved otherwise. From Bermudas to teeny-tiny hot pants, shorts dominated the runway and the streets, and now — as the temperatures begin to rise — they are set to take over our summer wardrobe. The style that’s on our most-wanted list? The chic tailored short.
The epitome of fashion meets function, the tailored short is your gateway to power walking through the summer months. At Givenchy and Bottega Veneta, boyish styles were cut long on the leg and paired with elongated blazers to create a look that was formal enough for the office, but still had a laid-back summer edge — especially when paired with Bottega’s electric blue twisted leather sandals.
Chanel and Dior presented playful short suits in printed iterations of tweed and plaid, Chloé channeled boardroom pinstripes into a fresh new cut and Max Mara went all-out with monochrome military-esque suits in neutrals and pastels. If want to take it off duty, look to Alberta Ferretti’s seventies-inspired pairing and Rejina Pyo’s effortless linen shorts in a natural palette.
The fashion pack opted for tailored shorts in understand shades of tan, vanilla, soft pink and khaki, in masculine cuts that varied in lengths; from short shorts to extended proportions. Striking the balance between serious and fun, co-ordinating sets appeared sharp, yet soft and wearable for warm climate dressing. Take cues from the street stylers and smarten up your shorts with matching jacket that can be cast aside when the sun falls.
Blending grown-up polish with cool appeal, tailored shorts can be dressed up or down — don’t be fooled but the business-like cut. Style them with brogues and a puff-sleeve blouse, or a nineties-inspired block heel with plenty of gold jewellery. Wear with a co-ordinating blazer or mix it up with contrasting colours and textures — impeccably tailored leather shorts work just as well.
