Short Story

 

Capris have always confused me; They're not quite pants and they're not quite shorts but sort of an awkward limbo between the two. I totally get it; summers are 'freaking hot' (as my nephew would say) and in the middle of a heat wave, pants sometimes feel inappropriate. And yet, will those extra five inches of exposed skin really keep you cooler? Really?? Do you feel the breeze on your exposed shin and think, "Yes!! Thank goodness I wore capris today! My ankles feel sooo refreshed!" My husband likens capris to running a marathon and then stopping just short of the finish line, jogging through the perplexed crowd on the sidelines and making a beeline for the bar. And designers tend to agree: since they stop at the widest part of your calf, capris visually shorten your legs, spelling disaster for those impossibly leggy babe-azons, which is why you rarely (if ever) see just-below-the-knee capris on the international runways.

So, what's a girl to do in the middle of a heat wave? Stick with dresses, skirts, and lightweight pants (either full length, ankle length or slightly cropped but avoid tight capris, per favore). Still feeling hot and bothered? This year marks the triumphant return of the short and the spring runways were full of them, worn both chilled out casual and totally dressed up. My biggest inspiration (as always) is Rosie Huntington-Whitely at Coachella; Her festival look reminds me that shorts don't have to be plain, pocketed and frumpy. A printed pair, worn with a breezy white blouse totally screams summer. As for the biggest short story of the season? The short suit, as seen in innumerable designer collections this season, is now the uniform of choice for New York's chic working girls. As trends tend to do, they've filtered down from runway to real life, from big cities to small, and if you haven't already noticed them, you'll start to spy them soon. (Of course, not all offices will approve, but if you work in a more laid-back place, a short suit is the perfect way to look current and stay cool all summer long.) Pick your fave legal-length pair, commit to some nightly squats (and a bottle of St. Tropez Self-Tanner from Sephora, hallelujah!) and you're ready to rock the short. My only rule? Mind your footwear, madams. Flat sandals are always good, as are wedges or tan booties to give your legs a little lift. But please (PLEASE!) steer clear of the stiletto/short combo. It's just never good, even if you are Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

Happy Friday (and happy summer) to you!  Squeee!