Short and Sweet

It’s difficult to imagine any woman dressed in shorts, or a short unitard, on a winter day in New York or Paris. But the idea makes such good sense here, it’s as if designers worldwide had Southern California in mind.

In Paris, Emanuel Ungaro and Jean Paul Gaultier offer distinctly different versions of winter-weight shorts. Ungaro’s sporty, cuffed styles are mid-thigh length, made of menswear fabric and worn with an ultra- feminine velvet jacket, floral-print vest, silky blouse and tall, protective suede boots. Gaultier mixes a thigh-high bodysuit in Fair Isle patterned sweater knit with a sporty anorak. And he shows it with clunky leather ski boots, a footwear idea born in the city streets.

In Italy, Giorgio Armani pairs short shorts of menswear wool plaid with slouchy, oversized jackets. He adds deep-brimmed fedoras to soften the look.

In Los Angeles, Holly Sharp’s stretchy cycle shorts go with peplum jackets. Melivier’s tailored silk Bermudas have a long, narrow silk jacket. And for evening, Pepito Albert’s red satin hot pants travel to dinner and dance clubs, topped by floor-sweeping bathrobe-style coats.