The 30s can be an exciting decade, ushering in new beginnings. But it also comes with the painful duty of deciding which relics from your 20s have outlived their ‘you-only-live-once' cycle in your wardrobe. So, should you be transferring those hot shorts that always, but always, make your butt look good into the recycle heap or can you still show off your pins without blurring the lines of decorum? Join us as we take an investigative look into the matter.
From your gym wardrobe to lazy Sundays getting reacquainted with the joys of daytime TV, really-short shorts are as functional as they are perennially on trend. And you don't have to be a doe-eyed starlet to rock this '60s wardrobe staple. Take a look at the fare on the runways, and you'll find fashion increasingly becoming age-fluid; from ages 16 to 60, women are refusing to let their closets be defined by their age. And with a little bit of homework, you can take your favourite pair of frayed denim cutoffs with you into this new phase of your life. Let's get you started.
Starry advice If you're ever looking to test-drive a trend, look to Bollywood's best dressed for a visual manual of the runways to stay ahead of the curve. From the leggy Katrina Kaif to the lean-and-mean Bipasha Basu, you'll find hot shorts getting billed as a permanent staple in the closets of the 30s club. The Tiger Zinda Hai stunner makes the most of her toned pins in denim shorts, while Basu likes to layer hers with sheer jackets. On the other hand, Kangana Ranaut takes hers with crop tops and fitted halter necks. Likewise, you'll find Jacqueline Fernandez going in for the kill with city shorts served with a side of mesh. Sonakshi Sinha manages coordinated separates to make shorts dinner appropriate.
What to do For starters, shut the door on the ‘is it age appropriate' train of thought. The trick to looking good is feeling good within, and if you're good to go on the latter, the former has no choice but to follow suit. If you have a diminutive frame, high-waisted shorts and crop tops are your friend. If you have a long torso and legs, make the most of the frayed options available to slice away the monotony of basic denim cutoffs. If you're looking for some flexible shorts to add to your activewear wardrobe, you may want to prioritise functionality over aesthetics—it always pays to do your research on what fabric works best for you beforehand.
What not to do While shopping, the length may be a no-brainer, but you'll definitely want to spare that one extra minute in the trial room to do a quick check—if anything rides up while bending over to pick something up from the floor, you may find your options limited for wearing your new purchase. Likewise, you'll need to take the occasion into question before digging out your favourite distressed cutoffs. Fishnet and sheer inlays are on the no-fly list when it comes to any work-related events; you can instead flaunt your frayed hems at brunch or for a movie night out. If you're feeling creative, opt for easy ways to layer your look with flowy jackets and sheer dresses.
Looking for new additions to your wardrobe? Check out our edit of the hottest pairs available on the shelves right now.
This story is a part of our Dress For Your Age series which busts myths about what you can and can't wear at different stages in your life
