WearsMyMoney

First up, I must reiterate that, YES, you can wear the shorts. If you are concerned about your legs, I can tell you for sure that no one notices your imperfections more than you do, and fake tan can hide a multitude of ‘sins’. You probably already know that my favourite is this one from Tan Luxe. It’s fairly light, so it’s good for all my fellow pasty-legged ladies out there. You can build up the colour by applying more the next day, if needed, but I find a light application does the trick. Do it at night, and use a tanning mitt. It doesn’t streak, doesn’t smell bad and it won’t come off all over your bedsheets.

But is it too early to talk about shorts? I’m saying no, as I’ve been wearing mine already over the past few weeks and, with our UK weather, you just can’t be sure how long any sunny spell is going to last. But even if it’s turned to shit where you are by now, it’s good to be prepared for when shorts weather returns, so here are some ideas for you.

THE LONGER DENIM SHORTS

I featured this pair from Mango a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t help but order them for myself. I went up a size (as I usually do with shorts as no one wants a tight pair of shorts), but I would say they are actually true to size and I would have been fine with my regular size. I will just wear a belt as I can’t be bothered to swap them. They’re a decent fit, nice and loose around the legs, and more knee length than other shorts so they’re good for anyone who fears showing too much thigh. Oh, and apparently the literal translation of ‘pleats’ from Spanish to English is ‘tweezer’, so whoever did the Mango website probably used Google Translate.

1. Boden Sienna Linen Shirt
2. Sezane Joseph Gold Pendant Necklace
3. Sezane Georgia Resin Earrings 
4. Cala Jade Woven Leather Bag
5. Déhanche Mija Mixed Metal leather Belt
6. Mango Wide leg Denim shorts with pleats
7. Reformation Britt Mesh Ballet Flats 

THE LONG BERMUDA SHORTS

These are for you if you want something light and airy but you really can’t be persuaded to show your knees to the world. Culottes would also be a good summer office look. Are they trousers? Are they a skirt? Are they shorts? Who knows? 

1. La Redoute Linen Sleeveless Shirt
2. H&M Retro Sunglasses 
3. B&sh 3/4 Sleeve denim jacket 
4. Zara Belted Linen Long Bermuda Shorts 
5. Rae Feather Stripe Raffia Tote Bag 
6. Monsoon Leather Crossover Sandals

THE SHORTER DENIM SHORTS

I think we all need a pair of really good short denim shorts in our arsenal, if only for wearing to the beach on holiday. I have far too many pairs. These from Mango are my favourite, but the new version look a slightly different colour (size up one size). I also have these from H&M (size up again for these) and these from Uniqlo (take your normal size here). Another thing: if you’re in the market for a new swimsuit, I can’t recommend Hunza G highly enough. One size really does fit all. I had a conversation with someone the other day who was also singing their praises, and she is a size 14/16 with much larger boobs than me. My Coggles code K20 currently gets you 25% off all the Hunza G range that they stock.

1. Abercrombie Oversized Linen-Blend Gingham Shirt 
2. Accessorize Polka Dot Bow Floppy Straw Hat
3. Hunza G Square Neck Seersucker Swimsuit
4. H&M High-waisted denim shorts
5. New Look Amalfi Embroidered Woven Shopper Bag
6. Adidas Adilette Lite Slides
7. Boden Striped Hammam Towel

THE SMARTER DENIM SHORTS

I’ve featured these Toast shorts before too, but they also deserve a second outing on the grounds that they are so good. I’ve worn my pair way more than I thought I would, but we are unexpectedly having July in May here in London right now. They fit so well and are a lot smarter than your average denim shorts. Knee length and nice and white – I can see them being a wardrobe staple for years to come. This pair is true to size. 

1. Tortoise Metal Aviator Sunglasses
2. Sobelle Vintage 9ct Gold Patterned Hoop Earrings
3. Uniqlo Ribbed Cropped Sleeveless Bra Top
4. Benetton Pure linen blazer 
5. All Saints Nikita Snake Effect Leather Belt
6. Toast Pleated Ecru Denim Shorts 
7. Melie Bianco Larissa Woven Faux-Leather Shoulder Bag
8. Fracap black leather Sandals

SOME MORE DENIM SHORTS

I think you get the idea now that I like denim shorts in the summer. I always look for pairs with a wide hem because they make your legs look slimmer. What you really don’t want is any fabric touching your thighs: this will not do at all, and will only serve to constrict you and make you feel like a sausage. No one wants to feel like a sausage. 

1. ME + EM D Frame Sunglasses 
2. Sezane Danae resin bead necklace 
3. Anthropologie Triple Pearl Charm Huggie Earrings
4. Zara Lace Insert Cotton Blouse 
5. White Stuff Eden Denim Jacket 
6. ME + EM Brown Skinny Leather Belt 
7. Pieces floral embroidered longline denim shorts
8. H&M Fishermans Sandals

THE SHORTS CO-ORD

How about giving the shorts co-ord a try? I love them. Yes, you might get some comments along the lines of ‘Are you going out in your pyjamas?’ from hilarious members of your family, but I love this look in the summer. If you add some great sunglasses, a good bag and nice sandals (instead of slippers and a scrunchie), I definitely think you can get away with it.

1. Celine Cat Eye Sunglasses 
2. ME + EM Cream Stripe Scallop Knit Swing Top
3. ME +EM Cream Stripe Scallop Knit Shorts
4. Alémais Nadia printed linen shirt
5. Alémais Nadia printed high-rise linen shorts
6. Vince Samuela leather sandals

THE LINEN SHORTS

We all need a nice pair of linen shorts: perfectly light and airy for sightseeing at home or abroad. I wore almost this exact outfit in Lisbon last year. Shout out again for these Air & Grace Gala sandals. They are, hands down, the most comfortable pair of sandals that I own.* Now entering their third summer and I still haven’t found another pair that’s as good for all-day wear. 

1. Finlay Ledbury Sunglasses 
2. Anthropologie Beaded Charm Stretch Bracelet
3. Mango Openwork floral textured shirt
4. Mabel Sheppard x Hornsea Retro Cat Ochre Leather Coin Purse
5. Burga Favorite Bikini Water Bottle
6. Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Anagram Medium basket bag
7. H&M Knee-length linen-blend shorts
8. Air & Grace Gala Two Bar Back Strap Leather Sandals

Enjoy the sun, if you are lucky enough to have some. I’ve probably jinxed it by writing about shorts now. Sorry.

K x

*Apart from these Teva sandals, but they are walking sandals so they don’t really count as fashion-wear.