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Portrait of a female business woman posing isolated on white
Portrait of a female business woman posing isolated on white background
I live in pants, and I’d like to have a variety of different styles and lengths—including shorts—to go with my active lifestyle. What should I look for, and what should I avoid?
—Grace E., Estero
Shorts can be super-chic or super-challenging—the key is the cut. Avoid versions that hit straight across your kneecap, as they halve you visually. The most flattering shorts are mid-length, meaning the inseam is around 7 or 8 inches. Look for slimmer-cut (but not tight) legs to elongate you. Capris are a Floridian favorite, but they’ll scream “frumpy” if they end mid-calf at the widest part of your leg. The best length is between calf and ankle where your leg narrows, but steer clear of wide-leg styles. Culottes are on-trend for fall and easy to style if you view them as a divided skirt. Avoid stiff, unyielding fabrics; look for culottes in fluid, drapey fabrics or sharp pleats to provide the swish and swing of a skirt.