The Shorts Equation
A little skin here, a little coverage there
When I was a little girl I absolutely hated wearing shorts. I was all about dresses, skirts if I was in a pinch. If 10-year-old me could see me now she would probably wonder where her glamorous ideals of dressing went.
Why? Because in the last few years I have fully embraced shorts as THE key component of my Spring/Summer wardrobe.
Part of this is simply evolution; when my kids were little, I needed shorts to avoid flashing my cheeks in a dress at the playground. And even though I don’t have to climb slides anymore, I’m still in my shorts era. Another reason I love wearing them is because shorts are no longer limited to the denim cutoffs of my youth (although my denim loyalty to this brand is making me excited about denim shorts, too).
As I’ve been saving inspiration for warmer weather, I realized that shorts are the focal point that tops and shoes revolve around.
Shorts seem simple, but they’re deceptively tricky because they can remove a lot of the structure that pants or skirts naturally provide. Visually there’s more skin, and often a more casual association. Without something to balance that, an outfit can feel unfinished.
I love a good outfit equation so I’ve made us a flowchart for our shorts formula wherein we play with how much skin we show. Eventually we are all too hot to care that much about our outfits, but as Spring weather pushes its way into Summer temps1, we can be a little strategic about what we pair our shorts with to elevate the look. Looking a little elevated while still in context remains a constant goal of mine.
Simply put: if you show more skin somewhere, add coverage somewhere else.
Shorts play nicely with different tops and shoes but I’ve been paying attention to the ways to combine the pieces so that it doesn’t look like I just skipped a step in my outfit. I build around the shorts!
A few formulas I come back to again and again:
Shorts + Long Sleeve + Flats
This is my personal favorite. The coverage on top balances the bare leg, and a flat grounds the whole look. It feels effortless but pulled together; what I like to think of as a perfect vibe sandwich.
Shorts + Long Sleeve + Sandal
A little more relaxed with the addition of the sandal but the volume on top keeps it from feeling too bare.
Shorts + Tank + Structured Shoe (loafer, ballet flat)
If you want the ease of a tank, the shoe does the heavy lifting. A more structured, closed-toe option instantly elevates the look.
And then, a simple personal rule:
If you want: Tank + Flip Flops, then the bottom= PANTS
I prefer to combine tanks and flip flops with pants when possible!
There’s just something about this shorts formula that balances the inherent casualness of shorts with other elements to create an outfit with intention. And I love it even more for the way it can translate across all closets and aesthetics.
Before you shop anything new, try this: take one pair of shorts you already own and style it three ways;
with a t-shirt + flats
with a long-sleeve + sandals
with a tank + structured shoe
Hopefully you’ll find a new equation that can carry you through the Spring (and beyond).
Without further ado, I present… inspiration….
I love the Doen lace shorts (I have them in a size medium) but there is a fine line before it looks like pajamas, which is why I prefer pairing them with a button down. I recently wore powder blue + butter yellow and I loved the combination of colors that didn’t feel colorful.
Me in the same button down as the collage! I have bought two off of Poshmark. They are perfectly oversized.
A monochromatic look? Tell me less, I’m already sold. I like the way the longer shorts tamp down the exposed back/shoulders in the halter top.
My all-time favorite short from last summer is this white pair that I featured in the above image. They are a little sporty, a little relaxed, a lot comfortable and not at all see-through. I’m keeping my fingers crossed they restock the white, but otherwise you can find them in new colors. Also, more thoughts on styling longer shorts below.
This shorts formula works for so many different aesthetics. I recently said I was Fixated On track shorts and, this summer, and pairing with an oversized crew neck or sneaker leans athletic but still considered. We could also swap the sneaker for a fisherman sandal or the long-sleeve for a button down to change the vibe.
Forgive me for how incredibly wrinkled my shorts are! Honestly, I unloaded all my summer clothes recently and thought I’m ok with these being rumpled upon first wear. Maybe I should have had more dignity! 20 minutes later, the wrinkles released and they looked much better, I promise!
The sleeved tee doesn’t have to be relegated to only long-sleeves. Anything that has more coverage on top belongs in this formula! I just bought the sandals in this collage (I chose the bone color) and they are such an elevated take on a flip flop but just as comfortable. This look features longer, bermuda-style shorts that I was determined to conquer last summer, and I have to say—they surprised me.
They’re significantly more comfortable than the shorter, tighter denim styles I grew up with, and they solve a lot of the “balance” problem automatically. The added length creates more visual weight, which makes them easier to pair with simpler tops and shoes. In a way, they behave more like cropped pants, which might be why they feel easier to style.
As promised, more of my thoughts on styling long shorts here:
What's the Function of your Fashion?
It goes like this; I wake up and go to the bathroom to get myself ready; brush my teeth, wash my face, put my contacts in and brush my hair. I washed my hair yesterday and it’s already a touch too greasy for my comfort. So I have three choices;
I’m only human, the more I see something on other people, the more intrigued I become with how it may fit into my own life. Thanks to lots of people (specifically Kelly Klein and Anna Newton) I was inspired to dig out an older strand of seafoam green beads (literally cost $4) and experiment with topping outfits with a beaded necklace.
It’s as great as everyone claims so may this be YOUR push to try it too. As I said, I started with a pair of beads I already owned so if you can, start there. Now I’m hungry to expand my collection. I predict wanting fewer new things for Spring because I know these will do all the heavy lifting.
Another option I’ve been playing around with is using colored corded necklaces! Truly all of my outfits are feeling more complete with the addition of a fun necklace.
Details for all products featured in this newsletter can be found here. Anything marked with an * was gifted. A few links were part of a very nominal incentivization program.
My heart goes out to those who aren’t experiencing warm temps yet! Sending warmth your way.
A guy in shorts and a long sleeve shirt is my kryptonite (especially with the sleeves rolled up, swoon), and I love that we’re claiming the formula for ourselves because it is SO good. I am saving all these collages, they are all I need for summer weekends!!
I swear by beaded necklaces, they add such a punch of colour and texture all year around. Our weather has been all over the place lately, so I'm all about that coverage on the top and shorts on the bottom formula at the moment 🥰