This summer, the 35-and-over set isn't getting short-changed by style.
Indeed,
stars who are (relatively) long in the tooth are flaunting their legs
in shorts, a garment that, for some women, once inspired as much
dressing-room dread as the swimsuit.
There's Heidi Klum, 40,
prancing around New York in denim cutoffs and suede booties. There's
Naomi Watts, 44, hoofing it through the Hamptons in loose, cuffed khakis
and gladiator sandals. And there's Reese Witherspoon, 37, chic-ing up
her chinos with heeled sandals and a button-down blouse.
Keri
Russell, 37, walked a Comic-Con press line last month wearing charcoal
Derek Lam shorts and black Manolo Blahnik pumps. Diane Kruger, also 37,
paired her black-and-white printed shorts with patent Robert Clergerie
oxfords for an L.A. lunch in July.
The trend is also taking over the newsstand. Jada Pinkett Smith, 41, wore printed Helmut Lang shorts on
Redbook's
July cover; Rebecca Romijn, 40, donned green Michael Kors for the
magazine's August front. Kerry Washington, 36, braved graphic Marc
Jacobs briefs for
Elle's June cover and Levi's cutoffs inside,
while for July, Shakira, 36, pulled on shiny, black, lace-trimmed shorts
from Diane von Furstenberg.
"It's not an issue for a 30-something to wear shorts anymore, nor should it be," says
Elle
fashion director Samira Nasr. "I don't think women over 35 have to
hide, if you take care of yourself as these women do. They're gorgeous."
Their
peers aren't hiding under pants and maxi-skirts, either. When it comes
to shorts sales, 41% are made by women 35 and older, according to the
market research firm NPD Group. The moms of Reese et al are particularly
smitten: During the year ending in April, sales among those 55 to 64
grew 15%, reports NPD; among the 65-plus crowd they ballooned 17%.
This
season, the retail emphasis "isn't just on the shorty shorts" of last
summer, says Marshal Cohen, NPD's chief industry analyst. Now, the
trimmed trousers come in lengths not necessarily targeted toward Miley
Cyrus, who's notorious for her drawers-baring denim, and in fabrics more
suitable for the desk than the deck.
"When you look at what's
going on in the market, certainly the casualization of America has
clearly accelerated. When done right and depending on where you live,
shorts are certainly part of the workplace wardrobe," Cohen says. From
J.Crew to Zara, "designers have recognized the importance of that."
Simply put, options that appeal to "experienced consumers," as Cohen calls them, abound.
"There are so many cute, stylish, flattering versions out there, so there's no reason to hold back," says Audrey Slater,
Redbook's
fashion director. She says there was "absolutely no drama" in
convincing Romijn, mom to 4-year-old twins, to slip on shorts. At 46,
Slater says she's a shorts aficionado, "absolutely," even at work, where
they get teamed with a crisp button-down and ballet flats or oxfords,
"something with a preppy polish," she says. "I definitely wouldn't go
sleeveless. That's too bare" for the office.
The goal is to construct, vs. throw together, an outfit, with shorts as the anchor.
The
other day Slater saw a north-of-35 woman pulling off a "beautiful"
maroon and blue silk foulard blouse and matching shorts combo, this
year's shorts suit. She thought, "Here's proof that women definitely
have sort of a city-chic take on how to wear this."
The trend is a
new chapter in an old story, that "35 is the new 25," Slater says. "We
take such good care of ourselves. We're not ready to throw in the towel"
to a trousers-only life. "Retailers are answering that with endless
variety and options in terms of shorts."
For
Good Housekeeping's
fashion director, Jasmine Chang, the options for her mid-30s to 50s
readers used to span two extremes: "crazy short" hot pants or, just as
inappropriate, "dumpy"-looking, pleated, golf-esque shorts. Now, Chang,
who's in the
GH demographic, is rocking shorts along with her
readers, including a recent navy linen-blend pair from Eileen Fisher
that landed a couple of inches above the knee, worn with flat gladiators
and a blouse that skimmed over the stomach.
"I definitely see more women in this age group pulling off this look this summer," she says.
Yet,
despite the return of the forgiving Bermuda, Slater says the biggest
mistake older women make is to go too long. Shorts should hit "at the
sweet spot, " she says: just above mid-thigh, courtesy of a 4- to 5-inch
inseam. Anything else is "unflattering."
Her ideal 45-year-old
shorts style? Neon chinos paired with a striped top. "It shows you're
still proud," Slater says. "And you should be."
Read More :
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/08/04/thirtysomething-stars-shorts-reese-witherspoon-naomi-watts-heidi-klum/2513909/
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