Five “Short” Mistakes to Avoid this Summer

Shorts, come summertime, will stop being casual wear and become essential wear. That means if your wardrobe is a little light on stylish shorts this summer, or if you own plenty of shorts that don’t fit, it’s time to update the closet.

What’s the easiest way to make this happen? Sometimes, it helps to know what not to do. That’s why we’ve put together five common “shorts” mistakes to avoid when you update your wardrobe this season:

Mistake #1: Excessively baggy or billowy shorts

If you don’t pay close attention to how your shorts fit, this can be a little hard to define. Generally, you’ll want your shorts to feel snug, but not so tight that you have trouble sitting down. If you buy a fresh pair of shorts and find that the seams stick out far from the side, you’re likely looking at a pair of shorts that don’t quite fit. Ask yourself a simple question: can you still tighten the shorts and feel comfortable and flexible? If so, you’ve likely got a lot of excess material--which means your shorts are simply too big.

Mistake #2: Too tight

On the opposite end of the spectrum, shorts that are too tight will tend to give you zero flexibility when you sit down, run, or basically do anything that involves moving around comfortably. A snug-fitting short is in style and a classic look; however, that does not always mean that more is better. If you can’t fit a few fingers between the hem of the shorts and your leg, the shorts are definitely too tight.

Mistake #3: Choosing cargo shorts over flat front

Cargo shorts have their uses, but if you’re dressing up for a weekend barbecue or going out on a first date, they tend to look a little sloppy. Cargo shorts are great for utility, and can even look really good...but it’s important to match the outfit to the situation.

Mistake #4: Only opting for khaki

Khaki shorts are great. They’re versatile and can go with just about everything, but does that mean that you only should wear khaki shorts? No, of course not. If you want to stand out from the crowd, a little variety will go a long way. As long as you have a light blue or white oxford cloth button down shirt, you’ll never have to worry about having shorts that clash. Don’t be afraid to experiment with making your shorts the centerpiece of your outfit--as long as everything fits, you’ll be amazed at how many compliments you draw.

Mistake #5: Wearing long socks

You can wear short no-show socks, or just go sockless. But please, don’t wear long socks. Long socks have the unfortunate effect of throwing off the way your body looks, shortening the exposed leg and making you look shorter. Instead, keep the socks to a minimum or simply choose no-show socks for the times when you must protect your feet.