Summer (and its accompanying array of skin-baring clothing) is upon us. If you tend to avoid shorts because you can’t find any that look good on your body type, check out this guide before you throw the towel in. Remember that there are no hard and fast rules, regardless of your shape. You might be apple shaped and still look fantastic in a pair normally suited to a pear shaped gal. Or you might be blessed with height, but have no interest in balancing out your height with a pair of Bermudas. Try things on, find what looks good.
Boyish or Athletic Shaped
No curves, a straight up and down physique, the “boyish” or “athletic” shape is mostly narrow overall, which many of us envy. But a boyish shape can look frumpy if the clothes don’t give any shape, so if this is you, look for shorts that give the illusion of shape.
Boyish or Athletic shapes need more "flounce" with a details that add shape.
Pear Shaped or Bottom Heavy
The pear shaped among us have a narrow upper body with a heavier bottom and legs. A flouncy pair of shorts or shorts with a lot of detail or ties are to be avoided. Look for a pair without any of those extras and with a bit of length. A narrow, boyish cut is best. Avoid big pockets that will only add volume to that area.
Shorts in darker colors with a flat, slim cut are the best look for pear shapes
Apple Shaped
In this case, women have a broader upper body with a narrow bottom. Elizabeth Hurley is apparently apple shaped, as is Jennifer Hudson, both beautiful, stylish women. Try high waisted shorts that give you a waist and shorts with a pronounced belt to accentuate the waist.
Apple shaped ladies like Drew can create a middle with higher waist shorts
Petite
Are you on the shorter side? Petite women will look shorter in a pair of longer shorts, like say, Bermuda shorts. Long shorts shorten short legs, it’s that simple. What you need here are shorts that are cut a little shorter. You don’t need to go for Daisy Dukes, just don’t reach for a pair that goes to your knees, it’ll only make you look shorter.
Eva Longoria is petite and elongates her frame with shorts that aren't too long. Look for a 5 inch inseam.
Tall
Oh I envy the tall girls with long legs who look great in any kind of shorts. But if you’re trying to even things out, a pair of longer shorts (like the Bermudas the petite girls sometimes avoid) are ones you should try. Then again, if you’ve got long legs and like to show them off, a-la Cameron Diaz or Heidi Klum, there’s no reason you can’t go for a short pair like the ones above. Then again, if you’ve got legs like that, you probably don’t need any of my advice. :)
Bermuda shorts work great for balance, though if you've got great legs, why not go for a pair that really shows them off.
