Top Short Styles Summer 2014
Comfortable, well-fitting shorts are a quintessential part of the style maven’s summer wardrobe. Shorts can be dressed up for a party with heels and a blazer or thrown on with a T-shirt and flip-flops for a stroll on the boardwalk. Made in a variety of different lengths, from thigh to knee, shorts have the ability to compliment nearly any body type while simultaneously providing comfort and mobility.
This summer, the trends for shorts are in no short supply, ranging from sophisticated lace to festival-worthy embroidered cotton. Here is a list of the top ten trends for shorts for summer 2014.
1. Lace
A clear trend for summer shorts this year is lace, particularly in white, cream and Ivory Lace and in various Floral Lace patterns. The lace can overlay the entire garment, or can be used as an accent on pockets and seams. An especially popular style is a tiered lace overlay, giving the shorts a dressy, skirt-like appearance.
2. Scalloped Hem
A scalloped seam along the short’s bottom hem is a very popular look this summer. Though the scalloped hem is an embellishment that can be added to any pair of shorts, the solid black or white in slinky, dress weight fabrics like Black Sueded Shantung (100% rayon) are particularly trendy – a modern take on a classic look.
3. Colorful Aztec Print
Lightweight rayons and polyesters are great fabrics for making comfortable, flouncing shorts. This summer Aztec prints in bright, colorful patterns like White Aztec Stripe Challis, Red Multi Aztec Stripe Challis, and Black/Purple Stripe Georgette are trending.
4. Classic Blue Denim
Whether they be high-waisted, cut off, cuffed, acid wash, or ripped… you can’t go wrong with a pair of great fitting denim shorts. For a more trend-resistant option, go for the darker washes like Mottled Dark Blue Denim, Dark Navy Blue Denim, or Dark Blue Denim.
5. Embroidery Embellishments
Reminiscent of the hippie era, embroidered cotton in tribal patterns like Multi Stripe Embroidered Cotton and Grey/Purple Embroidered Stripe Cotton is popping up as embellishments on shorts, particularly as accent pockets.
6. Linen
A perfect summer fabric, linen makes its appearance in the summer short arena in neutral colors this year like Olive Tan Linen (55% linen, 45% rayon) and Army green linen (100% linen), usually in loose styles with a drawstring and big, functional pockets.
7. White Denim
The white denim skinny jean craze of summer’s predecessor seasons has morphed into a fad for white denim shorts. The key here is in the fabric, white shorts need to be soft, but also super durable – the perfect solution is to use a White Bull Denim.
8. Bow Tie-Belted
Lightweight cotton shorts with big pockets, cuffed bottoms and a cloth belt bow tied in the front are a hot seller this year, particularly in soft neutrals like Heather Grey Denim.
9. Geometric
Geometric patterns in bright colors like Pink Geometric Charmeuse (97% polyester, 3% lycra) and Green Geometric Cotton (100% cotton) are popular in shorts this season, particularly in high-waisted, short-short styles.
10. Floral Beach Shorts
Beach shorts get a super feminine make over this summer with the addition of floral patterns like Black Floral Challis, Black/White Floral Challis, Dark Ivory/Blue Floral Challis and tassel accents.