Retailers Go to Great Lengths to Offer Shorts With Legs

This summer you’ll find lots of shorts in the stores, from dressy silk and linen shorts to casual denim short shorts. “The style today is more body-revealing,” says Karyl Reed, manager of Benetton in the Westminster Mall. “Really tailored, close-fitting, sophisticated shorts are selling well.”

When shopping for shorts, women not only look for a flattering cut but a comfortable fit, says Julie Taylor, manager of the Beach Club in San Clemente. “It’s important that the shorts are well made and true to size.”

Comfort and affordability are key, agrees Tina Ahmad, owner of the Sports Fan in Yorba Linda. “I’m selling a lot of cotton.”

Worn with a blazer, hose and pumps, shorts can look really businesslike and “are more accepted by the corporate world,” says Heather Goldman, manager of Alexia by Georgiou of Laguna Beach.

The following sampling of stores carry a wide variety of shorts sure to keep you cool and well dressed:

AEROPOSTALE

At this store, you’ll find Aero Twill cuff hiking shorts. These mid-thigh 100% cotton twill shorts are pleated in the front. You’ll find them in white, green, navy, light and dark khaki and black. They have a button-zipper front, two back pockets and two hip pockets ($32, Sizes 2-14.)

The Denim Roll shorts are high-waisted and fall just above the knee but can be rolled up. They are 100% cotton and come in natural, cream and blue denim. It has two back pockets and zipper front ($30, Sizes 2-14).

The store also carries a Denim Short Short with an inseam of about 2 1/2 to 3 inches, says store manager Heather Hunt. These low-waisted 100% cotton shorts come in white, blue denim, green and burgundy. They have a button-zipper front ($32, Sizes 2-14).

MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 285-1445.

ALEXIA BY GEORGIOU

At these stores, you’ll find a variety of George Georgiou shorts, including the classic tailored walking short. This comes in raw silk, linen, cotton and rayon in an assortment of colors, including jade, fuchsia, black, vanilla and various prints. The shorts have two hip pockets and one back pocket. There is an elastic waist, two buttons and a zipper front ($42-$58, Sizes 4-18).

The Skorts walking shorts have a lot of flair, says Laguna store manager Goldman. These come in raw silk, linen, cotton and rayon in a variety of colors such as jade, azalea and vanilla. They have two hip pockets and a button-zipper front ($42-$58, Sizes 4-18).

In short jumpsuits, there is a button-up romper with one back pocket. This comes in vanilla and berry in raw silk and rayon in a variety of prints. Use this for casual wear or dress it up with jewelry, a blazer and pumps for evening wear, says Goldman ($98-$110, Sizes 4-18).

Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 760-2558; 260 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, (714) 497-4777, and MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 834-1715.

BEACH CLUB

This store’s Paris Blues cuff shorts are a basic 14” mid-thigh short. They are 100% blue denim and have a zipper-button front ($27, Sizes 3-11).

The Roxy by Quiksilver short shorts are also 100% denim. These button-up shorts come in black, pink, lavender, blue and multicolored designs ($39, Sizes 3-11).

There are also Shok 100% twill mid-length shorts. These come in white, turquoise, periwinkle and teal green ($29, Sizes 3-11).

128 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, (714) 492-2305.

BENETTON

This store carries a variety of Benetton shorts, including 100% cotton knits. These mid-length shorts have two hip pockets and an elastic waist. They come in light green, Kelly green, black, white, red, cream, navy, bright blue and light pink ($22, small, medium and large).

The 100% linen shorts are fitted and pleated and look great with a linen blazer, says store manager Reed. “The linen is Italian-made and very soft,” she says. These button, zip-up shorts have two hip pockets. They come in black, cream, navy, red and bright electric blue ($65, Sizes 4-10).

There are also viscose shorts, which are made of non-wrinkling rayon that’s great for traveling, Reed says. These mid-length shorts come in sherbet colors such as bright orange, bright green, black and white. They have a button-zipper front and pockets on each hip ($44, Sizes 4-10).

Westminster Mall, (714) 891-8558.

JAEGER

This store carries shorts made by Jaeger. The 100% silk pull-on walking shorts have an elastic waist and two hip pockets. They come in black, banana, slate blue and a white floral print ($165, Sizes 6-16).

For more sporty occasions, there are have 100% cotton shorts made of heavy white denim. These button-zipper front shorts have belt loops and two hip pockets. The store carries matching pieces, including a white jacket ($75, Sizes 6-16).

The viscose and linen classic style walking short has a button-zipper front and pleats. There are belt loops and two hip pockets. It comes in khaki, soft pink and pink and white gingham ($175, Sizes 6-16).

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, (714) 549-8703.

LA WEE BIKINIS

At this store you’ll find Shok 85% nylon and 15% Lycra mesh shorts that are great for covering up a swimsuit, says store owner Heidi Medina. They come in a bright floral print of purple, green, yellow, orange, pink and blue. They fall mid-thigh and have an elastic waist ($30, small, medium and large).

Jantzen sheer shorts are made of 100% nylon. These elastic-waist shorts are also good for covering up a bathing suit. They come in solid hot pink and turquoise ($25, small, medium and large).

There is also Shok heavy 14-inch walking shorts with a zipper-button front. These mid-length shorts have two rear pockets, two hip pockets and a coin pocket. They are 100% cotton and come in steel blue, pink, army green, denim and multicolored prints ($29, Sizes 3-11).

Buena Park Mall, (714) 828-0466.

SPORTS FAN

At this store you’ll find a variety of shorts, including the Signal Sports Biker shorts that are 80% cotton and 20% Lycra. These come in white, black, pink, red, navy and green ($15, small, medium and large).

The Signal Sports Active Slam Jams shorts are great for playing basketball or baseball, says store owner Ahmad. These elastic waist ash-colored shorts have a purple, red, black, navy blue and forest green line design ($15, medium, large and extra large).

You can also find Signal Sports walking shorts, which have a drawstring, elastic waist. These are 100% cotton and come in coral, burgundy, forest green, turquoise, white, black, shocking pink, purple and lavender ($15, medium, large and extra large).

20463 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 693-1630.

TQT SPORTSWEAR FOR LESS

Here, Fast tight shorts come in a variety of colors, including black, white, burgundy, pink, green, purple and designs of roses, polka dots and leaves. They have an elastic waist and no pockets ($5, small, medium, large and extra large).

Polyester walking shorts fall almost to the knee. They come in a multicolored bold design and have a matching belt. There is a pockets on each hip and an elastic waist ($10, medium and large).

The store also carries mid-thigh sweat shorts. These have an elastic waist and two hip pockets and one rear pocket. They come in black, gray, royal blue, burgundy, charcoal, white and forest green ($6, small, medium, large and extra large).

555 S. Euclid St., Fullerton, (714) 879-5520.