Who Wears Short Shorts? : . . . If You Have to Ask, You Probably Shouldn’t
Don’t call them hot pants, you’ll be showing your age. Short shorts are in fashion again, after almost a 20-year hiatus. But this time they don’t answer to the old name.
There isn’t an official new name, either. But some people call them mini-shorts. They are filling up the racks of Guess, the Gap and other junior and contemporary stores. But they have a definite place in the pricey boutiques, where the labels include Franco Moschino, Rifat Ozbek, Azzedine Alaia and Gianni Versace.
Some young women wear them to the office, as part of a suit: a somber-colored, mannish jacket is paired with matching loose shorts that resemble tap pants made from men’s suit fabrics. Flat shoes and opaque stockings are the usual accessories.
Most of the new shorts, however, are the sexy, farmer’s daughter variety in denim, with rolled-hems or decorative eyelet trim. They’re worn with bodysuits or Bardot-like front tie blouses and bare legs.
Last time around, go-go dancers helped spur the trend. Stretch boots and hot pants constituted one look; hot pants and high heels were the evening version.
This time, television gets credit. Particularly “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the popular series for teen-agers.
“Beverly Hills, 90210” costume designer Dianne Kennedy says she started using short shorts on the show simply because “they looked good.” She’ll continue using them when the series resumes shooting in May, but, as before, she’ll be careful. “There’s a fine line. The trick is to put it all together so no one looks like a hooker. I use blazers and T-shirts, vests and nice blouses for a fashion look.” She shops at Guess and Contempo Casuals for some of the shorts on the show.
A modern Elly May Clampett (remember her from “The Beverly Hillbillies”?) might also take a look at The Broadway’s junior department, which features colored denim minishorts trimmed with gingham, ruffles, fringe and patchwork. Prices range from $21 to $46 and labels include Jordache and Paris Blues.
On the high-price shelves, the new shorts are made of dressier fabrics and many are more appropriate for night than day.
Ozbek’s stretchy cowhide print and Moschino’s cotton or crepe versions go for $150 to $350 at Shauna Stein. Gallay Melrose has black stretchy shorts by Alaia, Isaia, Patricia Field and Helmut Lang for $52 to $475. Nearby, Pole carries local labels Van Buren and Misko, which make stretchy, shiny shorts that lace-up, for $98 to $119.
There’s even a black-tie rendition. Versace’s couture minishorts with hand beading will set you back about $8,000 a pair.
