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For the longest time, I never wore printed bottoms. Fashion magazines told us not to wear prints if you didn’t want to make your bottom half bigger, so I never did. Plus, I felt like most printed shorts looked too “pajama-like” to wear outside of the house. The truth is that I just didn’t know how to wear them, but having learned how to dress them up (as well as shop for high waisted styles), there’s much more to printed shorts than what meets the eye.
If you were ever doubtful about replacing your ever-so-versatile denim cutoffs with breezy floral cotton shorts, here’s a quick guide on how simple and effortless is it to find a cute outfit, featuring printed shorts:
1) Choose a top in a shade similar to your shorts
The easiest way to find a top that would match your bottoms is by selecting blouse that fits within the shorts’ color scheme. What’s great about printed shorts is that there isn’t a particular silhouette on top that you absolutely must stick with, thus you have more freedom than you think. From loose sweaters to tiny tight crop tops, an item like Crochet summer casual shorts can be paired with a scoop neck white tee, a flowy light blue tank, or a yellow sleeveless top, depending on your personal preferences.
2) Dress it up with a button-up
Are your Tribal print crepe casual shorts throwing you through a loop? One top that you might not have thought to pair with your printed shorts is a button-up to give the ensemble a slightly more sophisticated finish. You can go for the classic white button-up or even wear one that’s in a color that appears on your shorts. There are also other options, such as a sheer button-up or one of a silky variety, so experiment with different styles. Wear them tucked, tucked in the front, or knotted in the front to make it into a crop top.
Just make sure you have the shoes to match the shirt, such as pointed flats or pumps.
3) Wear denim on top
Switch things up by inverting your usual denim shorts and cotton top outfit. With something like Summer print beach shorts or Kendra shortie shorts, a chambray shirt knotted at the waist or layered over a tank is much more interesting than a jean shorts and tee combo. If it’s chilly out, you can replace the chambray shirt with a denim jacket. A jean vest is also another option, and don’t be afraid to wear one with a frayed finish to add some eccentricity to the overall look.
4) Add a pop of color with your black and white shorts
A black and white outfit will always benefit from a bit of color, whether that’s a red lip or a little pink bag handbag. You can apply the same concept with pieces like the Aztec print boxer shorts or the Bohemian floral embroidery shorts, though don’t feel the need to always go for something bright or in-your-face. You can also opt for something more muted, such as pastels, or go for darker shades like navy or maroon. Black shoes are probably best to streamline the outfit, and plus, black matches with anything.
5) No flip flops or sandals
Unless you’re on the beach, it’s best that you leave your flip flops alone. Printed shorts can sometimes look a little like loungewear when they’re not paired with the right kind of footwear. White sneakers aren’t as bad, but with printed shorts being casual enough as they are, we don’t really want to dress them down. We want to dress them up to prove that there are lots of ways that you can wear them, just like your denim shorts.
6) When in doubt, go back to basics
In times when you can’t seem to find any blouses that match your shorts, you can always look to your basics in neutral tones. Black tanks, loose white tees, gray v-necks, beige spaghetti strap tanks, you name it. They are wardrobe staples for a reason, so if you’re feeling unsure or uneasy about your other tops, you can always trust in your basics. They also make it easier to wear accessories, especially a statement necklace.
