Women’s Must-Have Shorts

With winter fading away into memory and the tantalizing promise of summer, spring is most definitely here. So get ready to embrace the sunshine and bare those legs, in the hottest designer shorts women’s fashion has to offer this season.

This versatile garment now often marks the coming of the sunshine months better than a calendar but due to their flirtatious and flaunting nature, they only became a mildly acceptable item of attire in women’s fashion around the 1930s. Nowadays they have happily become the mainstay of many a spring and summer wardrobe in a range of colours and styles that can be dressed up or down in a variety of modes. Let’s be honest, most women wouldn’t embark on a holiday abroad without at least one pair tucked neatly away in their suitcase and even when the weather disappoints us; teamed with a pair of tights, your shorts will surely not.

The cut-off or ‘Daisy Duke’ is a classic design originating from the 1970s and named after the character who wore them in the hit TV show ‘The Dukes of Hazard’. They remain a popular style in which to flatter and showcase a longer leg but unlike the original version’s fraying around the edge, this season’s cut-off loses the rough and goes with the smooth, as turns ups have been added to give a neater, tailored look, such as those from labels G-Star, Levi and 7 for all mankind.

It’s not just 70s TV shows that have inspired fashion today; many of the shorts on the market are also paying tribute to the era by embracing leather, suede and cord, with a sprinkling of glitz with sequins, jacquard and lace coming from the designs of Thread Social, Tibi and Diane von Furstenburg. Shorts aren’t just for the casual this season, Sessun have produced a decadent pair of doyle shorts in golden mustard, not only will this item effortlessly transfer from day to night, but team with tights and a knit and they will see you all the way through winter. Leather saunters back into trend this season with shorts created by Theory, IRO and Alice by Temperley.

Other fabrics making an appearance include light and breezy silks and linen from Miu Miu for a truly summery short. Or for a longer, smarter short look to YMC (You Must Create) who have produced a stunning pair of culottes in black and white check that looks set to be another fashion favourite this spring.

With a wide range of designs and styles there is something to suit everyone’s tastes. Multi-colours will be dominating the colour palette for most of the spring collections, but shorts can be found in more subdued neutrals, black, white and navies. YMC have also released shorts with a pleated front in corduroy, making shorts suitable for a curvier, fuller figure. For the athletic build a high-waisted, flat front short is most flattering.

The range of shorts available is amazing, and even the versatility of one pair can be transformed when matched with a silk blouse, casual tee or knit jumper. Your must-have shorts can then be accessorised with loose waist ties and beads. With or without tights, show off your legs this season in a pair of shorts.

What has happened to shorts over the years, and what will you find fashionable in women’s clothing at the moment? Click to Glass Boutique’s women’s fashion blog to discover more.