Who Wears Short Shorts? You Do, If You're With It

Short shorts are in! Okay, so maybe that's not breaking news. But I thought it could use some explaining, so I hit up a party Wednesday night at the Earnest Sewn boutique in New York's meatpacking district in search of enlightenment. From two top-notch fashion experts, here's the skinny on how guys and girls should do shorts this summer.

"Dudes that wear short shorts with dress shoes, or penny loafers--I think that's a pretty good style," Trovata co-founder Sam Shipley said. Yes, but doesn't this Italian-inspired look require a pair of lithe stems? "You don't need decent legs, you need attitude," the designer countered. "You need an Italian confidence. Rock short shorts. You got white legs? Wear short shorts. You got tan legs? Wear short shorts."

Just to prove him wrong, I got an image Andre the Giant dressed like John McEnroe in his prime. Hey, there's an exception to every rule.

Now, how about the ladies? "Oh, we love shorts," enthused Barneys fashion director Julie Gilhart--speaking on behalf of her company, not her gender. "High-waisted shorts, because they have that sort of 70's roller girl look--and you can wear them with a t-shirt. You can also wear them with high heels, and in denim, they're great. It feels right right now, instead of wearing a mini-skirt." But there's also a mid-century influence at work here, she added. "You know, those like Betty Grable pin-up girls. Cute, isn't it?"

The hiked-up look doesn't have to end at the knee. Low-rise jeans and their partner in skanky sartorial crime, the exposed thong, are mercifully on the way out. "I think we're in a kind of higher-waisted moment," Gilhart said. Maybe some guys are against this cancellation of all the sneak previews. But for every eyeful of thong I've enjoyed in the classroom, club, or wherever, I've had a whole bunch I wouldn't wish on anyone. And I think most of us would--or at least should--take a classy set of legs over that any day.