How to Style Summer Shorts for Any Occasion

You may have noticed that celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Aniston have been photographed wearing shorts instead of skirts or dresses, both for day and evening. When the weather gets hot, shorts are wonderful for events both casual and formal.

We're not talking cargo shorts and flip-flops as a replacement for eveningwear - save the casual summer wear for the beach and errands. But if you would wear pants to an event, you can certainly wear shorts if they are coupled with the right top and accessories. Follow these tips to pick great shorts for both day and night.

1) Pick elegant, not casual. If you look through catalogs like J.Crew and Banana Republic, you'll see a lot of short suits - the shorts version of the pant suit. You'll notice these are very youthful and elegant looking without making you look like a teenager. A matching jacket and shorts works great for a variety of situations - dinner with friends, a work picnic, or lunch at a slightly upscale restaurant.

2) Don't show too much leg. Short shorts usually aren't appropriate outside of the gym for anyone over the age of 19. Especially with the aforementioned shorts suit, it defeats the purpose of looking elegant and pulled together if you show too much leg. A few inches above the knee is a good length for most people - depending on how long your legs are, you may be able to go a few inches higher. Just keep it below mid-thigh. Of course, for everyday casual shorts, whatever length is flattering to your legs is fine - as long as you're comfortable.

3) Find a good drape and fit. The right shorts will be a tailored cut - try not to look like you are a camp counselor. A trim (not tight) cut that skims your legs without hugging them is right. Pleats are fine, but make sure they are crisp enough to not make you look bigger than you are. Cuffs add form to your shorts, and also elongate the leg.

4) Find the right shoes. Cute flats are fine if the occasion calls for it and you want to be comfortable (aka a barbeque). But if you want to dress up your shorts outfit a bit more, or you want to add length to your look, consider heels or wedges. You may cringe at the thought of heels with shorts - perhaps it's a little too Daisy Duke for you - but with the right length short, it will look fine. Heels and shorts only look over the top if the heels are too high or the shorts are too short. How can you tell what height heel is correct? It's really up to personal preference - try a pair with your shorts and see if it feels comfortable. If you would wear heels with that length and cut in a skirt, it is probably OK to wear those heels with shorts. My favorite summer shoe is the wedge - it adds height without looking over the top or too fancy. Espadrilles are reasonably casual while still adding some height, and you can find wedges in all heights and styles, ranging from casual enough for all the time to as fancy as a pair of high heels. Also, if you don't like the appearance of your feet (or you don't have time for a pedicure), you can choose a closed-toe wedge. And if you're itching to show off your pedicure, there are great sandal-style wedges. Whichever way you decide to go, adding some height via your shoes will lengthen your overall look, as well as make your legs look more toned.

5) Make your legs look their best. If you don't have the best skin on your legs, there are ways around that. Self-tanning products cover a myriad of problems. If you have a couple of bruises or stretch marks, consider concealer made especially for legs - Sally Hansen makes a good one, as does Dermablend. And if you're reasonably happy with your legs, always make sure to moisturize - there is no reason for your legs to look dry.

6) Wear Sunscreen. Apart from the fact that sunburns on legs really hurt, don't risk skin cancer on your legs. You can't see certain areas on the back of your legs, so you might develop a melanoma without realizing it.

Shorts are a great alternative to skirts in summer, and can be styled to match any occasion. One word of caution - if your office has a policy against sandals or bare legs, save shorts for after work and weekends. Your boss may not appreciate the nuances of fashion, and it's not worth getting in trouble over. But the rest of the time, enjoy this fun summer fashion!