It’s hard to believe that Labor Day Weekend is already upon us. And while this weekend seems to unofficially mark the end of summer—as kids head back to school and pools close for the season—the weather is seriously begging to differ. Scorching days and warm evenings are hardly fading with the final days of summer. So as you select your outfits for this weekend’s festivities, grab an old summer favorite—your cutoff, jean shorts. With denim seriously trending at the moment, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a few final wears out of this cool and fun summer staple.
While jeans shorts are not right for every occasion, they are right for more than you might think—and no, that does not include black tights under them for the winter, that look needs to go away. But cutoffs are great for a summer barbecue or cocktail hour. Completely neutral and easy to dress up, denim cutoffs look fabulous with anything from a flowing blouse and heels to a blazer and heels. Yes, I think denim cutoffs look good with heels. When done correctly.
Although a vast majority of the population unfortunately disagrees, rest assured that cutoffs do not need to be skin-tight. They are, in fact, more attractive and more slimming when they are not skin tight. Wearing them looser also gives the option to wear them shorter, without looking like you belong on stage with a country singer.
Like mini skirts and other mini items in your wardrobe, the key to short cutoffs is simple—balance. Billowy tops or jackets are the perfect options to offset the mini-ness of the shorts. Chunky jewelry is also a fabulous go-to for adding density to an outfit.
Stilettos have more than made their mark this season and will remain prominent heading into the coming seasons. So grab those adorable little numbers and throw them on with a blouse and your shorts. Open-toed or a classic pointed toe, both will look great! Summer wedges are certainly an option, though they tend to be more informal than a stiletto. Stilettos and cutoffs seem to be inherently opposite, which is exactly why they pair so fabulously with one another. This is not true of all opposites, so enjoy this freedom.
Denim is a complete neutral. Like white or black, color-wise it goes with anything. Wearing all black with light cutoffs can create a dramatic and chic look, while pairing all white with a cutoff is a great summery option for day or night. But if your favorite denim shorts aren’t a classic blue wash, fear not! Black denim, grey denim or even crazy brights can work for this look. Olive green and coral pair well with darker denims while neutrals, grays and blacks pair perfectly with the brighter shorts.
The key to rocking cutoffs in this nontraditional way is to polish off the outfit. Just because they are your lazy weekend shorts doesn’t mean that they have to be. Think accessories! Jewelry, a belt, sunglasses, fabulous stilettos (obviously), a great purse, a blazer or a scarf! Truly complete every part of the look and the cutoffs will take on a new life.
So enjoy the long weekend, with this effortless look, in your summer favorite.
For more on this look, check out “Denim Cutoffs” on Pinterest