Friday, April 22, 2011

Fashion Do & Fashion Don't: Shorts

Preface: I will run into an outfit from J.Crew that makes me think "fashion do!" or "fashion don't". So every once in awhile, I will take two looks at opposite ends of the spectrum for me and post about them. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the Do's and Don'ts featured. :)

It's no secret that I like to wear running shorts, hidden under my skirts & dresses (refer here). It is more comfortable for me, as well as provides protection from a gust of wind. (You laugh. But this is how it all started. I saw a girl in Barcelona wearing a beautiful dress when a gust of wind came by, and her dress went up. Thankfully she was wearing underwear.)

However, what is going on with this outfit shown above? Is this how we are wearing our dresses now, opened to reveal denim shorts? J.Crew, it's hard to say this to you, but this is a fashion don't.

I often wear outfits that are recreations from images found in J.Crew's catalogs and online product shots. The image above is a perfect example of an outfit I will most definitely recreate. This is how you wear shorts! Simple? Yes! Classic? Absolutely. J.Crew, this is a fashion do!

What are your thoughts on the two images? Do you find the first image a style you would try? Is the second image "classic" or "boring" for you? Please share!

17 comments:

  1. lol @ the fashion don't image. during my jcrack days i totally use to recreate catalogue outfits as well.

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  2. I love the second outfit! So chic and classic. :)

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  3. Agreed 100%. Outfit number two is perfect, outfit number one is a headscratcher.

    I used to use J Crew catalogs heavily to recreate outfits a few years back (as did most, it seems) but I still use them to a certain extent--the unusual-but-still-pretty-awesome color combos that they've been doing lately always suck me in! So I'll often recreate an outfit using a mix of colors from the catalog, but only in pieces that are more flattering and work for my shape.

    (and I'm another shorts-under-the-dresses-and-skirts girl, it really is a lifesaver!)

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  4. I'm not much of a shorts person at all - I have only 2 pairs of summerweight bermudas from several years ago that I bring out every summer. I don't mind the first image but that's probably because of the pose and the fact that they used their thinnest model. If I wore thick denim shorts under a dress it would probably look like I was smuggling something! Not a look I would ever recreate - although, I do like the "dress over jeans" look sometimes.

    Second image is really cute. I think the shorts are just the right length. I agree with Chloe - there's still inspiration to be had with the color combinations, not necessarily the styling. I'm not sure I could pull off the "scarf as an obi belt with another belt over it" look.

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  6. My girlfriends and I wore shorts under our dresses (we weren't allowed to wear pants) in grade school so that we could play on the bars on the playground without embarrassment. :)

    The problem with the first picture is that you have to walk around with your dress pulled open to show the shorts. If you wear a dress over jeans you don't have that same problem.

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  7. I am really not much of a shorts person either and if I do wear them, it's usually just when I'm staying at home. However, I really like the shorts in look #2 and if they came in a longer length, I would consider getting a pair.

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  8. I don't like the first look at all for myself, but it reminds me of what my co-worker said yesterday. Her friend that works on a college campus proclaimed that the 'trend' this year with the college girls seems to be really, really long shirts with really, really short shorts. Maybe there's something going on like that...

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  9. Bwahaha Alexis this post is so funny. I wish you'd post these more often! I was thinking the same thing when I saw the shorts....I actually thought the dress was a long tunic.....

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  10. I also saved #2 image to my laptop and am recreating. I love the tunic option as I don't like to tuck in button fronts which feel so bulky to me. The shorts are the right length and fullness to me too. Can't wait to try IRL!

    RE: #1 there are some shots in JCrew that are more for concept and visual effect, wouldn't you say? But I would LOVE the photo shoots for their "work" (or insert your occasion that requires a more dressy, conservative attire)to pull pieces together and style in a way that you can actually copy straight from the catalog. (IE shoes, I can't wear strappy kitten heels to work, or 4" gladiators tho I love how it look in the catalog.)

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  11. Well apparently we are also supposed to wear a swimsuit bottom with a shirt tucked into the front of it :) Per another recent catalog image. Does anyone remember that one....
    (yes it was a sleeveless camisole, but regardless who tucks anything into the front of a bikini bottom?!).

    And I totally agree with you re these 2 outfits.

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  12. Hahaha Sydneygirl! I might have to pass on that look!

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  13. Running short under skirts - brilliant!!

    Love outfit 2, and I'm not much of a shorts gal. Agree with FFM - I'd give them a try them in a longer version.

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  14. Sometimes the catalog styling is a bit loopy and meant simply to catch your eye. I would never try to recreate the first look, I agree that it is a "don't".

    I wear shorts (and short skirts) a lot in the summer but usually with knits in a very casual way. Might have to try shorts with a button-down this summer.

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  15. I would never wear #1. I figure they're just exploring their creativity. I just overlook outfits that are bizarre for irl. This one isn't bad because you can actually see each piece as you're reviewing the catalog or website. It's the Grey Gardens look that drove me crazy. They layered on so many items that you had no clue what anything looked like.

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  16. My daughter and I both like compression shorts under skirts and dresses. It gives you 'coverage' without the bulk of other types of shorts.

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