How To Wear Long Shorts (Without Looking Like A Teenage Boy)

We covered slightly shorter shorts a while ago, and they’ve been great for the (frankly unprecedented) long spell of hot weather we’ve been having this summer, but I thought we should take a little look at longer shorts for cooler days. Last weekend, when it went down to about 25 degrees in London, I did consider a jumper and a bigger duvet. Apparently, it takes about two weeks for your body to fully acclimatise to temperature, and now anything below 27 feels a bit chilly to me. God help us when autumn hits.

I’m noticing there’s a definite trend towards longer shorts this season. Long shorts can be tricky as they’re firmly in the domain of the teenage boy. In fact, they’re almost uniform round our way. Every time I step out of the house (and sometimes when I don’t), I’m met by a sea of teenage boys wearing white T‑shirts, long black shorts and white socks and trainers.

So we need to avoid that exact look, but I think long shorts can be really chic and, dare I say it, chicer than short shorts. Let’s have a look at seven ways you can wear yours.

NAVY WITH BROWN ACCENTS

Navy and brown should never make you frown. It’s a smart, classic colour combination that works for all seasons. Once again, M&S is coming through with the goods. I’m very tempted by this suedette bomber jacket, but I’m trying to tell myself, ‘You have far too many jackets, woman, and you don’t need another one.’ However, I’ve ordered these suede flats as they look very Phoebe Philo or The Row but for a high-street price, and I love me a designer dupe.

KHAKI AND DENIM

If you’re looking for a really good wide-leg pair of long shorts, Toast is always a good bet. They know how to do good trousers and shorts that don’t date. Wear them with your denim jacket and white vest or T‑shirt. Simple but effective.

MARGOT ROBBIE AT THE AIRPORT

Talking of simple yet effective looks, this is one that Margot Robbie wore to the airport a few months ago, and the fashion world went mad for it. It’s classic and comfortable but with a cool edge. What more do we want in an outfit? I don’t know for sure that she wore the Leset Margo T‑shirt, but it’s effectively named after her, so why would she not? She also carried a Chanel handbag, and I think it was this one, which I love and covet but, alas, the price does not allow.

A PRETTY BLOUSE & JORTS

Long jorts (jeans shorts, for the uninitiated) are the most tricky of all the long shorts to get right. You don’t want to end up looking like Garth from Wayne’s World or Happy Gilmore. I would suggest that you steer clear of trainers and T‑shirts and pair them with a delicate ladylike shoe, a girly blouse and some good chunky gold jewellery. I don’t think you’d see Adam Sandler in a kitten heel.

WITH A CRISP WHITE SHIRT

A nice preppy-style look here. This one would be right at home in a country club or lunching on the King’s Road. I’m aware that I feature shirts from With Nothing Underneath quite a bit on this blog, but I think they make the best around. The fabrics are quality, the designs are timeless and they don’t go all weird in the wash. You can also have them bespoke embroidered (you know how I love a monogram).

ALL BLACK SPORTY CHIC CULOTTES

I’m not entirely sure what the difference is between a pair of long shorts and a pair of culottes. Maybe it’s the length or the overall flappiness. These from COS are labelled as culottes, but these from Wyse are long shorts. They look very similar to me. This is actually my favourite style of long shorts. Nicely tailored, a soft wool-mix blend and falling just on or below the knee. They can be worn right through until it’s tights season.

A LITTLE BIT OF EMBROIDERY

I don’t think there is a teenage boy I know who would wear a pretty embroidered jacket or blouse with his long shorts. So you should be safe here, but you never know.

Enjoy your chic shorts this week.

K x

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