The Different Genres of Shorts
Re-thinking how to style shorts and not just for the Palm Silhouette!
Like its namesake, the Palm Tree, the Palm Silhouette in the Silhouette System™ flourishes in warm weather. With legs bared and short hemlines, Palms have a plethora of bottoms to choose from. As a self-proclaimed Palm, I find summer the most fun season to get dressed. But as a stylist, my clients, of course, range in which Silhouette they identify with, and summer dressing can prove to be a struggle if you want the option to wear shorts but don't necessarily feel the most "yourself" when donning a pair.
If you're entirely opposed to shorts, plenty of other warm-weather bottoms exist. But I want to challenge the shorts-averse to rethink what defines a pair of shorts. Shorts were not always the Daisy Dukes or hotpants you may think of today. They originated in the 1800s with schoolboy uniforms consisting of long-style shorts that hit the calf, called knickerbockers (WWD). The hemlines have gone up and down through the years, adjusting for different purposes, from athletic to bathing suits to fashion statements. And if there was a historical purpose for the change of hemlines through the years, you too can have a purpose for altering your definition of shorts through your Silhouette. A shift in the hemline, a distinct material, and even a specific styling technique like layering can all make the wide world of shorts work for your Silhouette.
As I’ve said, what matters is that the outfit makes you feel good. And so, sometimes, if a particular Evergreen or Cypress look pushes the boundaries of their “classic formula,” that’s OK! Some people who identify as a Silhouette like to strictly bind themselves to that single Silhouette. Still, perhaps you’ll surprise yourself with what makes you feel good by trying new combinations.
We are broadening our horizons and summer definitions of Silhouette dressing.
The Palm Silhouette
The Palm Silhouette's shorts styling is the most straightforward. If you identify as a Palm, I don't really need to give you a visual example of how these work; however, I do have some ideas to take the styling a step further.
In the above outfits, I use color-blocking to make the shorts intentional. That means that the outfit depends on the color choices. How bold do you want to go?
Next, I use mixed patterns to really drive the eye up to the top half of my body, a pillar of Palm outfits. The success of the top relies on the choice of shorts and vice versa, making the outfit more thoughtful than, say, a pair of denim cut-offs and a tee.
In the two looks above—both worn this past week—the shorts are the focal point in a print (left) and a bold color (right). Other than the shorts, these outfits are pretty simple! Owning a pair of bold shorts is one of the greatest easy summer dressing styling tricks for Palms.
Another extremely easy but great summer shorts styling trick for Palms is to wear a set! A set—especially when made from a breezy material like light linen or cotton—is easy, cool, and leaves room for creativity with your accessories.
Some good Palm shorts options (though many more here):
The Evergreen Silhouette
You can certainly utilize a pair of shorts to execute a fantastic Evergreen, as long as they have *volume and length. A bonus is if they are in a bold shade, which really adds the drama that the Evergreen thrives on.
Tip: If you size up in shorts and roll the waistband, shorts that already flare a bit will flare even more, helping execute the Evergreen silhouette.
The bold color in the look above creates focus and drama on the bottom half, key for Evergreen dressers. I paired it with shoes that coordinate with the shorts to keep the focus on the bottom-half.
Layering on top of your shorts adds extra volume to your bottom half. Paired with a scarf tied as a sarong, the layers add the necessary Evergreen drama.
Styling tip: To keep the scarf in place, loop one side of the scarf through your belt loop (for me, it was on the right side of this photo).
*An exception to the rule! Here we have shorts with length but not the usual Evergreen volume. With the added Evergreen skirt layered over, and bold patterned biker shorts peeking out, the drama and volume is still on the bottom half! You can do this with a wrap skirt and a long scarf/sarong too!
Some good Evergreen shorts options:
The Cypress Silhouette
The Cypress Silhouette is even from top to bottom. I always say that a Cypress is the sum of its elements, each one equally important. There are a few options if you want to wear shorts as a Cypress.
The first is a “Bermuda” style that doesn’t have too much volume (slim to the leg), with a slim-fit mini-dress or tunic over. This layering of two slim-fit items will keep the Silhouette even.
Your comfiest summer pajama set with a lightweight long jacket or shirt layered over to keep it even throughout.
There is nothing more Cypress than a set! When styling with a classic suit, the key is the styling: adding a top under the jacket with some texture (here I did a wide-ribbed tank) and being thoughtful about how you tuck it (or don’t) into the shorts or what belt you choose to wear (or don’t). You can also do this with denim-on-denim or coordinating materials/colors. In the denim look (right), I left the oversized shirt untucked to make the denim pieces blend.
Some good Cypress shorts options:
And that’s the long and short of it. I hope this opened your eyes to the possibilities in styling shorts, whether you’re all in on the Palm, a reluctant shorts wearer, or don’t even own a pair of shorts. Legs out!
For personal scheduling reasons, we will skip next Sunday’s edition. But paid content will continue as usual (Thursday’s Therapy Walk will keep moving)!
xo
Eliz
Not to sound like a broken record but this really has become my favorite Substack. You are putting so much hard work and passion into this newsletter and it shows. Like, LOOK AT ALL THIS CONTENT. LOOK AT ALL THESE SHORTS. LOOK AT THESE PRACTICAL IDEAS. ALL CAPS EXCITEMENT MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!
I see you. I appreciate you.