If
you're
not into
wearing
wispy,
floral
print
dresses
or
metallic
leopard
miniskirts
and
prefer
to wear
the
pants in
your
family,
then
you'll
want to
stock up
on some
new
favorites
this
spring
and
summer.
From
short
shorts
to
capris
to
skinny
jeans,
there
are
plenty
of
reasons
to take
up the
slacks
in your
closet.
But
before
you head
out to
buy that
smokin'
pair of
hot
pants,
take
note of
these
tips to
keep
your
bottom
half as
your
better
half:
—
It's all
about
the
legs.
Let's
face it,
many of
us would
love to
wear
those
"groovy"
hot
pants we
wore
decades
ago
again,
but it's
time to
pass the
short
shorts —
aka boy
shorts
and tap
pants —
on to a
new
generation
...
preferably
one who
hasn't
shown
evidence
of
spider
veins
yet, if
you know
what I
mean.
For
those
with
svelte
gams, go
for it.
The
cuffed
printed
versions
are the
most fun
and can
be
dressed
up or
down
with
jackets
and
T-shirts.
And what
about
those
leather
shorts?
A little
steamy,
don't
you
think?
—
Watch
for the
danger
zones.
Most of
us have
a
flattering
"zone"
when it
comes to
our
legs.
And when
it comes
to
wearing
capris,
that
"mid-calf"
area can
make or
break
you.
Don't be
afraid
to have
your
cropped
pants
hemmed
to give
you the
best
look for
your
legs.
— And
then we
have "cankles."
Yes,
those
heavy
calves
that
just
seem to
blend
right in
with our
ankles.
There
are ways
to
camouflage
this
particular
detracting
feature.
Cover it
with
longer
length
pants —
perhaps
a
slim-fitting
white
pair of
jeans.
—
Drop
your
crotch?
Another
pitfall
of
trendy
pants
this
season.
Don't
fall for
it! This
"MC
Hammeresque"
harem
style
seems to
pop up
every
few
years —
but it
is not a
flattering
look on
anyone
of any
age. And
don't
even
think of
going
for the
"no
pants"
trend
...
unless,
of
course,
you want
to get
arrested.
— Do
it on
the dark
side.
Yes, you
can wear
dark-colored
pants in
the
summer.
If you
have a
pair of
perfectly
tailored
black
slacks
that you
love to
wear, go
for it.
Just
layer
brighter
colors
on top —
a filmy,
chiffon
tunic
top
would
instantly
lighten
your
look.
Ditto
for dark
blue or
black
jeans
and
leggings
made of
thin
Lycra.
— Go
for the
flare.
By now,
most of
us know
that a
gentle
flare at
your
pants'
hem is
generally
a great
look for
all body
types,
especially
those of
us who
have
curves.
The
flare
provides
balance
to the
hips,
and we
all need
a little
more
balance
in our
lives,
right?
—
Don't
get
stiffed.
Another
way to
loosen
up your
pants
wardrobe
is to
stick to
drapable
fabrics.
I love
soft
linen
cropped
pants.
Silky
pajama
pants
are
another
warm-weather
favorite.
And
there's
nothing
better
than a
pair of
jersey
pants
for
those
long
plane
flights.
Ditch
the
stiff
stuff
and go
with
fabrics
that
flow —
right
over
those
cankles!
—
Print
it!
Printed
floral
pants
are all
the rage
this
season,
but
don't
get too
excited.
Remember
those
loud
Hawaiian
printed
shirts?
Take
note:
the
fashion
scourge
of the
American
tourist
was the
rap they
got.
—
Cheer
for
chinos.
Don't
forget
the
backbone
of your
wardrobe
— those
pants
that go
the
distance
week
after
week —
the ones
you can
pair
with
everything
from
your
favorite
T-shirts
to your
favorite
work
jackets.
Look for
military-inspired
narrow
chinos
to do
all the
work as
your new
basics.
The
cargo
styles
are
perfect
for more
casual
occasions.
—
Puff
away on
cigarette
pants.
There's
nothing
quite as
"cool"
as
wearing
a pair
of slim
pants in
a
slightly
shorter
silhouette
— the
cigarette
style —
on a
balmy
night
with
just a
tank top
and pair
of
slip-on
sandals.
Tres
chic a
la of
one of
my
favorite
style
stars:
Audrey
Hepburn
— a
fashion
icon
that
wore her
pants
very
well.
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Sharon
Mosley
is a
former
fashion
editor
of the
Arkansas
Gazette
in
Little
Rock and
executive
director
of the
Fashion
Editors
and
Reporters
Association.
To find
out more
about
Sharon
Mosley
and read
features
by other
Creators
Syndicate
writers
and
cartoonists,
visit
the
Creators
Syndicate
website
at
www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT
2010
CREATORS.COM
