The season of shorts is upon us! If the thought of wearing them makes you cringe because you have no clue which ones work with your body type, read on!

Big Tummy: Look for shorts that sit slightly below the waist line–they’ll offer more comfort for a big tummy as well as give it room to breath. Avoid high waists and any short that’s too small in the waist—it’ll emphasis the size of your belly. A high waist can make your tummy look like it’s oozing out while a too small waist equals muffin top.

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Boyish Frame: If you want to add some curves to a boyish frame, look for shorts that have pleating, ruching, or any gathering of material.

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Long Torso: To balance out a long torso, you can either go with a high waist or a shorter length. This can be tricky so proceed with caution and follow the tips for other body types if you have a long torso and a big tummy, etc.

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Short Torso: To lengthen a short torso, go for low waist options with a longer length. Bermuda shorts with a long tunic is one way to help even out your frame. The longer top gives the illusion of a more proportioned torso and the longer shorts help to balance out the legs.

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Thick Thighs: Avoid side pockets, they’ll only make your thighs appear larger. Go for plain front shorts with a wider leg opening.

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Petite: Remember that petite is a size not a shape. You’ll still need to follow tips for your body type. But with a petite frame of any shape, add visual length to your frame by wearing your shorts with sandals (flat or heels). Avoid wearing them with sneakers and socks which shortens your frame unless you’re at the gym. The idea is to show as much leg as possible and avoid any horizontal lines below the knee. A horizontal line can be formed by the hem of your shorts, the ankle strap of a shoe, the fold of a sock, etc.

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Plus-Size: Just like petite, plus-size is a size not a shape. Plus-sizes cannot be all lumped into one category because not every plus-size body is the same. So follow the tips for your body type. With a plus-size frame of any shape, be sure not to try and hide your frame in over sized clothing–you’ll only appear larger than you actually are. Also don’t be afraid of color.

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If your body type is a combo of categories (i.e. petite with a long torso and thick thighs) you’ll need to combine the tips from each category. Still stuck? Contact me.