Summer Shorts for All Ages

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Summer means shorts, right? Just like summer means sandals, sleeveless tops, and bathing suits. Whether we are in our 20′s or our 40′s, we want the pure pleasure of wearing shorts in warm weather….. the sensation of a breeze around the knees!

But shorts can be tricky. So many lengths to choose from, how do you know which pairs will look good on you and are appropriate for your age?

shorts inseams

Jeanne says: I think of true shorts as having an inseam of 3 to 5 inches and I basically see them as off-limits for someone at my stage in life. I’m pretty fit so I could wear them, but for me it is an age-appropriateness issue. Real shorts are for women younger than me.

Jeanne Shorts Collage2

But I can rock a 10 inch inseam short, also known as a long short, Bermuda short or walking short. I personally like them for both casual wear and for slightly dressier occasions as you can see in my outfit photos. Finding the perfect pair of longer cut-off denim shorts took some work, but they are perfect for the weekend with a printed tee and espadrilles. My dressier long shorts can go out to dinner or even to work in a more liberal business environment with a blazer and pumps.

Jeanne Shorts Collage1

Kate says: Even in your late 20′s, shorts length is a tricky subject. Some girls have the right body type and can pull off a shorter short, but I find that with a more athletic and *ahem* womanly body type, 3 or 4 inch inseams are just too short. So my sweet spot for shorter shorts is a 5 inch inseam – long enough to avoid any riding up or inappropriate exposure, but short enough to qualify as a “short short”. When styling a shorter short, I like to go more covered up on the top. This means either a t-shirt (as opposed to tank top) or a blouse or button-up. I like the balance of skin on the bottom with more fabric up top.

Kate Shorts 2

I also have several pairs of Bermuda shorts that come in quite handy. Especially in a business casual environment (depending on your workplace!), I think 10 inch inseam shorts are totally appropriate for work during the summer. They are no shorter than many skirts and dresses I wear to work, and with a tailored cut go really nicely with blouses, blazers, and cardigans.

Kate Shorts 1

How do you feel about shorts? What is your preferred inseam?

Two Take on Style

What We Wore: Gingham

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Outfit post gingham

On Kate: J.Crew Factory dress (similar), J.Crew shirt, J.Crew belt (similar), Merona shoes (similar), Target earrings (similar)

On Jeanne: J.Crew skirt, J.Crew striped top (similar), J.Crew shirt, bee pin (similar), Target belt (similar), Frye pumps

Jeanne says: This outfit feels a little wintery to me, but actually it is just layers of cotton and could work year round. I loved putting all these patterns and textures together; this idea doesn’t always work perfectly but it did this time. I cannot remember where I got the idea to wear the bee brooch, but it makes me happy here. This J.Crew skirt is incredibly versatile too; I can dress it up or make it very casual. It’s a great twist on a plain old navy pencil skirt!

Kate wears checks and gingham much more than I do and she’s put together a cute if slightly conservative version here. She is using a dress as a jumper which I like and, as always, she adds a pop of color with her belt and shoes. That blue in her gingham shirt must really make her blue eyes pop too. We all know I would button that top button and maybe add a little more bling but that’s the difference between us. And differences make the world go round. Nicely played, Kate!

Jeanne gingham

Kate says: This outfit is pretty much a uniform for me: button-up shirt layered under a dress. This cotton J.Crew works nicely for layering; the fabric is light but it still holds it’s shape over a bulky under-layer. I’m fairly certain this was one of those days when I didn’t have the energy to think about what to wear. I love this gingham shirt in the bright blue, and also love how it pairs with pink accessories. Mom is right, in retrospect I would add some more jewelry. But sometimes simple is good!

I love this outfit on Mom. I would never have thought to combine the large rugby stripes with the gingham print, but I think they work really well together. I also think her pencil skirt is genius – such a great way to add texture and depth to a standard navy pencil skirt. Although I agree the bee pin is cute and whimsical, I would have left it off as kind of an unneeded accessory in an already layered outfit.

Kate gingham

Two Take on Style

Taking Fashion Risks

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We were excited to see the outfits from the Met Gala and the high profile celebrities there did not disappoint. Instead of the by and large predictable outfits we had come to expect, we saw real fashion – personal interpretations of the punk theme that ruled the gala and the Costume Institute’s current exhibit. In other words, the fashionistas there – at least the ones we saw – took risks with their style.

That got us to thinking – how often do we take a risk with fashion and style, and should we do it more?

We have different perspectives on taking fashion risks (as with most things). Here we go:

Jeanne says: I have many years of trying risky fashion under my belt. This includes but isn’t limited to: hot pants, a dashing one-piece white shirt and black tights get up in the late 80’s, a red leather pencil skirt, and fishnets for work. But while I’ve been unafraid of trying bold colors and shapes, I have always been totally uncomfortable wearing low cut tops or extremely short skirts.

At my current stage in life, fashion risk has taken on a whole new meaning. Now it potentially encompasses bold colors and shapes but not dressing too young. And there are young looks I yearn to try like:

Jeanne fashion risksSources: 1 / 2 / 3

So I am definitely attracted to some fashion risk and I hope I always will be. My next risk will be my outfit for a charity gala Saturday night. I have an elegant ankle length pleated skirt which I wear every year – last year as a dress. This year I’m wearing it with a simple black and white striped J.Crew t-shirt and a few shiny accoutrements.

Kate says: I am not, at heart, a risk taker – this applies to all areas of my life. But in recent years I have been trying to push myself outside my comfort zone when it comes to style. I think this is influenced by the fact that other parts of my life have fallen into place, giving me more confidence to dress quirkier or bolder than I might have if I were trying to, say, meet a guy. This shows through in my increasing use of bright colors, patterns, and layering in my outfits.

Some of the risks I want to take involve more trends in one outfit than I’m comfortable with, looks that could be totally non-stylish if done incorrectly, or a single trend that I’m not sure I can pull off. While the risky looks I’d love to try look nothing like Mom’s, I’ll take her lead and show you some looks I have pinned:

Kate Fashion Risks

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3

What kinds of fashion risks do you take? Which ones do you love but are scared to try?

Two Take on Style

What We Wore: Striped Dresses

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outfit post striped dresses

On Jeanne: Marc by Mark Jacobs dress (similar), J.Crew Factory cardigan, J.Crew belt (similar), J.Crew shoes (similar), Anthropologie necklaces (similar, similar), Fossil watch

On Kate: JC Penney/Joe Fresh dress (similar), Forever 21 blazer (similar), Bloch flats (similar), Forever 21 necklace (similar)

Jeanne striped dress

Jeanne says: This Marc Jacobs dress is a fun, easy going design and matches virtually all of my bright accessories! It gives me another reason to get out my cobalt shoes. In general, I find this outfit a little staid – not the colors, but the idea of a little a-line dress, classic cardigan and pumps. Perhaps the bright colors lift it out of its general “been there, done that” look.

I like the design of Kate’s little dress although it too comes across as a little conservative. I do like it better without the jacket and the pop of turquoise makes all the difference. So perhaps the answer is pushing that traditional blue and red out of its comfort zone by pairing it with an offbeat color or an edgy jacket! As usual, though, Kate looks darling and I will say she is the expert on picking the right shapes for her figure.

Kate striped dress

Kate says: I agree that this dress is pretty preppy, but I love the little short sleeves and the cut of the skirt – I think it will be an easy-to-throw-on summer dress and about as close to a t-shirt dress as I’ll get. I agree with Mom that it needs a little edge to avoid looking too conservative and nautical. I was leaning in that direction by adding the turquoise necklace, but next time I’ll take it further.

I love the colors in Mom’s outfit, and sometimes I think it is nice to pair a more classic outfit combo (dress, cardigan, pumps) with bright pops of color – it can help ground the outfit. Sometimes Mom likes to go with bright colors and quirky ensembles, but sometimes it’s nice to tone it down a little :)  As always, she expertly draws out the great colors of this dress into the shoes, cardigan, and statement necklaces – she looks impeccable.

Two Take on Style

What We Wore: Monochromatic

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outfit post monochromatic

On Kate: J.Crew Factory sweater, J.Crew Factory skirt, Toms flats (similar)

On Jeanne: J.Crew sweatshirt (similar), Sam & Zoe blouse (similar), Banana Republic jeans, J.Crew boots, Forever 21 necklace (similar)

Jeanne says: Yes, I liked this outfit even though it was all one color. The jeweled sweatshirt makes me happy and these are THE most comfortable booties. Also my favorite skinny jeans. I’m never exactly sure about the shirt tail showing and I also find the half tuck that Kate’s outfit shows hard to pull off, but I’ll keep trying.

Kate is outfit is very simple, but I like that she has let her new red eyelet skirt take the lead. If it had been me, I would have added a necklace or scarf, but she seems to be letting the bright color carry the day. The color really suits her and I can see this skirt going with many other colors and tops. Outfit looks great on her and I can see the skirt working well for dress down Friday.
Kate monochromatic

Kate says: I’m not sure where the inspiration for this outfit came from – I just thought to myself, “these might work together”! I love this coral sweater and have been trying to wear it in more unexpected ways, and I love it with this pinky-red eyelet skirt. When you go for a monochromatic look, I think texture is so important to add depth to your outfit. I kept things simple with basic flats and minimal jewelry – although of course I say now, “I could have added a necklace.” By far one of my favorite outfits recently – how soon can I wear it again! Ha.

Mom looks cute and sporty in her monochromatic outfit. When she was looking at this sweatshirt online, I was skeptical, but I think it’s one of my favorites of her winter purchases. It looks so cute thrown on with jeans or camo pants. I think everyone needs a sweatshirt that is one step up from plain – with either beading or moto-jacket styling, like mine. Also love how she rolled up the cuff of her jeans over her booties – this give the outfit a slight “mountain cabin” vibe, but I like it!

Jeanne monochromatic

Two Take on Style