Shorts. With tights. It’s coming. Apparently the more accurate description would be it’s coming back but I don’t remember this the first time around so I’m living it for the first time. And I love it! I have seen the look in a few fall catalogues and think I could pull it off with the right pair of shorts.
Enter Idra. They have 2 amazingly awesome fall/winter short offerings. They’re both…well…short…less than 6″ inseam. The idea is to wear these with tights to work though I realize at that length they’re not going to be work appropriate everywhere. For me I’ll actually be a bit overdressed in them. I don’t mind though.
Above are the Plaid Sailor Shorts ($58). They feature a grid plaid with a red accent stripe. What really makes these shorts awesome are the sailor buttons across the front. I really adore them as an accent. The sailor buttons are not uncomfortable when you sit down. The actual closure is a front zip with a button closure up in the belt loop. There are pockets but they are sewn shut. In my true size 8 I was comfortable but since I plan to wear tights underneath I went home with a size 10.
Here’s an example of a now outfit. I would never wear these shorts out bare-legged though, I just do not have the gams for it. J.Crew gets some more love from me here; I paired the shorts with the Cashmere Olivia Shell in ivory and the Petra Nubuck Heels in nut. These shorts are fitted on my thighs but on probably will not be on most people.
Come winter time, here is an example outfit I could rock (and so could you!). I’m wearing a silk H&M top, black tights from the Gap and Cole Haan’s Air Almond Pumps. It’s not necessary to go so monochromatic unless of course you live in NYC where the dress code is black, black, grey, black, black, black. Did I mention how excited I am to try this out? I am such a winter baby.
Idra has another option in dress shorts. They are the Short Story Shorts ($78). I really wanted to take these home too; maybe next month. They’re even shorter than the Plaid Sailor Shorts with a 4″ inseam. Yeah, we’re living on the edge with these if you’re over 5’5″.
These are a bit tricky to get on as one of the product reviews alludes to; you have to undo both of the sides and pull one through the front to reveal the zip fly underneath. It’s worth the effort though. These shorts are nothing short of amazing.
My only fear was the pleats but I think they work. I love how loose these shorts are and I like how they sit at my waist. I have the 10s on here — my true size 8s were creating some funky crotch issues. I also have on the Openweave V-Neck ($68), which I wouldn’t pair with these in real life…the options for that one will come later tonight! Back to the shorts, when I sat down they were just long enough to avoid showing tush. So I would not wear these without tights underneath. I’d pair these with a fitted blouse with big shoulders for a throwback look.
Roxy you are making me laugh this morning as I am catching up reading all your posts! You look totally adorable in the shorts ensemble with black! You rock it! Coming from Chicago originally, winter is a great season for fashion! California's nice weather, but I miss those wool coats fiercely!
I remember the shorts with tights trend from the first time. Ah, high school—in fact, this weekend I was looking at a picture of me rocking this look in 1993. Since I am older now I don't think I will be reliving this trend personally.
So I saw those shorts in my blog reader (without reading what you wrote) and thought, "A HA! SHORTS I CAN WEAR WITH TIGHTS!"Oh, these great minds. *knocks on head*I love the reviews you're doing, and I love both the shorts (paired with tights!) that you've shown here. Keep it up, lady!
Those who are old enough to remember the original safari-inspired Banana Republic will recognize those as 'gurkha shorts'. Quite the rage back in the early-to-mid 80s.