Everybody’s Wearing Seriously Short Shorts
From leather hotpants to monogram micro styles and knitted briefs, the shorts memo this season is clear, says CHLOE STREET: keep it brief
As fashion month comes to a close, we scroll the street-style galleries for inspiration from the world’s best-dressed on how to translate tricky runway trends into real-life-wear. And alongside kitten heels, cardigans and endless pops of red, there emerged a lovely, leggy trend that’s set to take hold in 2024… Everyone is wearing seriously short shorts. And by short, we do not mean tailored styles that hit somewhere above the knee; nor are we talking scruffy denim cut-offs… No, this season’s leg-wear came in polished fabrics (think satin, leather and cashmere) and lengths that hit – brace – no lower than the top of the thigh.
The SS24 runways were awash with haute hotpants. At Isabel Marant, a mix of high-waisted and low-slung styles came groin-grazingly short – in black, tan, white, and a particularly striking red leather with a matching cropped red moto jacket. Meanwhile, at Versace, they were super-girly, pastel-hued knit panties with beaded floral embellishments and coordinating cardigan sets. Sabato de Sarno’s debut collection for Gucci ditched the eccentricity and ruffles of his predecessor in favor of an altogether cleaner, sexier aesthetic reminiscent of Tom Ford’s ’90s Gucci. Micro-shorts were a big theme – worn low-slung on the hips, they came knitted or in leather, and one standout pair was printed with the GG monogram. Khaite, meanwhile, did ultra-high-waisted (and ultra-sophisticated) black satin crepe options, styled with killer heels and billowing blouses.
“I love that short-shorts can be very sensual yet comfortable as a versatile alternative to the mini skirt, and can be worn from day to evening,” says Lydia Zacharis, ready-to-wear buying manager at NET-A-PORTER. “Styled with a perennial favorite pair of black opaque tights, a fine knit and cool leather coat or chunky oversized cardigan during winter, along with a chic flat penny loafer or Mary-Jane flat, they make for a very chic yet subtly feminine look, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s peak style-icon years.” For evening, Zacharis recommends swapping in some simple stiletto pumps and chunky jewelry for an after-dark look with a twist.
ULLA JOHNSONLilliana crepe de chine blouse€141.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size00 - out of stock0 - out of stock2 - out of stock4 - out of stock6 - out of stock8 - out of stock10 - out of stock12 - out of stock
SYDNEY EVANLarge Evil Eye 14-karat gold diamond ring
STELLA MCCARTNEY+ NET SUSTAIN wool-twill blazer€636.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock4648 - out of stock
NILI LOTANEdwige gathered silk-satin halterneck top€128.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizex small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
Keen to dip a toe – ahem, leg – in the trend? A black pair of daringly short shorts is a strong place to start. Dion Lee’s black ‘Parachute’ shorts works well with a crew-neck knit, chunky bling and knee-high boots by day, and then look super-chic with 10-denier tights and slingbacks come nightfall. Or style Gucci’s monogrammed ‘Aria’ shorts as they were in the Ancora show, with a white shirt, brown loafers and statement gold jewelry – just add tinted aviators for a ’70s-inflected vibe.
PARIS TEXASStiletto 85 croc-effect leather knee boots€477.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3636.5 - out of stock37 - out of stock37.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - out of stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock41.5 - low stock42 - out of stock
The trick to keeping the look luxe is proportion play – offset the raciness of leather hotpants by pairing them with a turtleneck and an oversized coat, as Nina Sandbech did for the most recent Max Mara show in Milan. Or, if you’re going to do a bare leg, keep your top half voluminous… The shorter the shorts, the more billowing the blouse – best leave something to the imagination.
LOEFFLER RANDALLLeonie bow-embellished leather flats€159.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size5 - out of stock5.5 - out of stock6 - out of stock6.5 - out of stock7 - out of stock7.5 - out of stock8 - out of stock8.5 - out of stock9 - out of stock9.5 - out of stock10 - low stock10.51111.512 - out of stock
DRIES VAN NOTENPleated twill shorts€128.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
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