Instead of Shorts? Wear These 11 Alternatives

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