Hello, and welcome to Dressed for My Day where my goal is to inspire and help women like you and me to dress beautifully and appropriately for our unique days so we can engage graciously with those around us and influence them well. I’m really excited about today’s post because I’ve had so many readers ask for alternatives to shorts for the summer months. So today I have 11 alternatives to wear instead of shorts this summer.
I get it. You still want to look summer fresh, feel cool and comfortable but you just don’t want to wear shorts. Or maybe you just don’t want to wear shorts all the time.
Fortunately there are are number of fashionable, comfortable and easy to wear alternatives to shorts. And my list may not be exhaustive, but I think every gal will find at least a few choices that suit.
Before we start, let me explain how I selected these styles. I’m not including things like dress slacks. These are distinctly casual alternatives. A few of them are more chic than others, but they’re all appropriate for things like going to a church picnic, running errands, rooting on the home team, entertaining in your backyard or playing with the grand kids. These are truly the non-shorts pieces you can wear when others are wearing shorts. Make sense? Good.
Now that I’ve rattled on and on up front, I’m just going to show you the photos, give you the links and provide a brief sentence or two about each alternative. Oh, and I’m linking back to previous posts so you can see more if you choose. So let’s check out these alternatives.
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Summer Jeans
Let’s get jeans out of the way. They’re not my favorite choice because they can be hot. But if you are going out on a cool evening you will look summery fresh in white, pastel or cropped jeans.
I’ve gathered a few of my favorite summer jeans in the shopping widget below.
Drawstring Cropped Pants
If comfort’s your game, you’ll appreciate the ease of lightweight cropped pants with an elastic waistband and a drawstring, but you don’t have to sacrifice style. Just make sure you choose a pretty tee or top and feminine accessories to complete the look.
Here are some similar pants to consider. In fact, I think most of these are much prettier than the selections I featured this spring.
Midi Skirt
If you’re wanting more coverage of your legs but still want to keep cool, a midi skirt is a pretty choice. Just add a simple tee and sweet sandals or even sneakers for a casual vibe.
Maxi Dress or Skirt
If you want even more coverage of your legs, but still want the feminine appeal of a skirt, choose a maxi length skirt or dress. You’ll be cool and stylish. Add sandals or sneakers, depending on the occasion.
Wide Leg Cropped Pants
Here we’re looking at wide leg cropped pants that are a little more defined and tailored than the drawstring version I shared above. These give you a little more finished aesthetic, but you’ll still look casual and contemporary.
Pedal Pushers
Of course, I just showed these in yesterday’s post. But I’m really crushing on these comfortable, youthful looking knee length pants. Also called clam diggers, these are just fun!
I found more pedal pushers for you to look at today.
Lightweight Chinos
Keeping it light and cool, chinos provide full coverage but won’t get you as hot as jeans. And you can roll them up at the cuff for a fun summery vibe.
Simple Summer Dress
Maybe your issue with shorts doesn’t have anything to do with bearing your legs. Or maybe you’re just looking for some alternatives because you don’t want to always wear shorts. In either case, a simple summer dress is a wonderful feminine option.
Here are some more sweet options.
Cargo Pants
On the other end of the spectrum is a more sporty alternative, the cargo pants.
These cargo pants are lighter weight than jeans, but heavier than most chinos. You can also cuff the hems for a more casual vibe.
Jumpsuit
I realize some readers can’t imagine wearing jumpsuits because of the bathroom issue. But if you’re reticent to wear shorts and want to mix it up a bit, a jumpsuit could give you some variety. Plus they look oh so summery.
Skort
I realize that if you don’t want to bare your legs, this isn’t really a viable option. But if you’re just looking for a variety of things to wear instead of shorts, a skort is a fun and sporty alternative. And of course they’re especially appropriate for activities such as golf, tennis or hiking.
Well there you have it! Eleven alternatives to shorts for the summer. Which do you enjoy wearing already? And which will you consider adding to your summer line-up?
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You might be interested in this video, too. I’ve got lots of ideas – besides shorts! – for looking chic in the heat!
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Blessed for My Day
Today I pray that you, dear reader, would know how much you are loved and accepted by the One who truly matters. The One who gets the final say has already professed His love to you. His love never fails. And it’s deeper, wider and more prevailing than you can ever imagine.
Does that matter to you? It should. The more you experience the fullness of Christ’s love for you, the healthier you will be in mind and heart and soul. When we are filled with the love of God we are then able to love others without strings and without unrealistic expectations. Allow God’s love to fill you today so that you can pour into others’ lives freely.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:17-19
Thank you for all you do especially your daily devotional! You have beautiful style and the love of Jesus radiates through your smile! Praying you get to feeling better today.
Ahh, thanks so much Tanya. That means a lot to me. I’m doing much better already. Thank you.
Kay, I am so sorry that you are not feeling good today. I pray that you will feel much better tomorrow. You shared some great options for us today. Fabulous DFMD!
Thanks Ginger. I’m already feeling much better. Not 100% yet, but getting there! blessings to you!
So sorry you’re not feeling well today Kay. Praying you bounce back quickly. I love wearing skorts more than shorts. They can be dressed down or elevated depending on the top and shoes you wear with them. Plus they’re cool, comfortable and modest. I used to buy cheap reading glasses and sunglasses many years ago until I decided quality was essential to take good care of my eyesight. I have 3 pair of reading glasses I enjoy changing out with whatever outfit I’m wearing for the day. And in sunglasses I have 2 pair of Maui Jim’s that I love. Once you buy quality eyewear, you’ll never go back to budget choices again, plus they hold up for years, so in the long run, you actually get much better value cost per wear.
I’m with you on the reading and sunglasses. Especially the reading glasses, since I have them on so often…including when I’m standing in front of a group of people speaking. That’s when I realized how important it was to not slap on some ugly reading glasses! Thanks for sharing!!
Hope you’re feeling better soon! Great post, thank you!
Thank you so much. Once I got going this morning I began to feel much better. Blessings!
I am on my way to the Loft to pick up the blue flower print shift dress! I have been obsessing over it since you first wore it. When you featured it again today I clicked under your picture and found it on sale with another 40% off and bought it.
I hope it fits I am getting a regular XS. My closet is overflowing with new things from The Loft.
Hahaha! Great! I hope you like it. I think it’s pretty sweet. ?
I like the dress! And I just clicked on your original Post for that dress. In the shopping widget you have a pair of Treasure & Bond Sannibel Leopard Sandals. So I just bought those at Nordstrom through your widget. Now I really must start saving HaHaHa!
Lol! Well I’m glad you have enjoyed shopping the blog today. Thanks so much! ?
I appreciate this post as I no longer wear shorts. This gives me options that accommodate my age and pear-shaped body. I personally enjoy wearing cute cotton skirts with tees or tank tops during the hot summer days…so much cooler than capris. Thank you for your positive posts and Scriptural truths!
Anita
Great. I’m glad to hear this post met a need, Anita. Thanks so much for sharing. ?
You inspire me. I have wanted to update my wardrobe for awhile now. It is hard to know what to buy because of what is out there that is not really age appropriate. Thank you for your style and grace.
I would like a post on what to wear when you can’t wear pants. At all. Ever. I’d rather not say why but it’s a medical problem. Thanks.
Hmm. I’ll see what I can do, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing. And thanks so much for reading Dressed for My Day.