How to do your best with brown shorts by Jenny Evans

 

You become accustomed to it without even pausing to think how it happened. Then, suddenly, your eyes regain clarity and you begin to ask yourself “since when did wearing poo-brown shorts become all the rage?” closely followed by “why have I only just noticed this?”.

Brown shorts: this summer’s little trendgine that could. You’ll have seen them, though you might not have noticed them. They’ve been there, on your high street, at parties, in restaurants, even in your workplace. Quelle beast!

From top left to right: Silk corset shorts – Topshop,  Cotton-twill shorts – Aubin and Wills, Stripe top – Malene Birger, Leather shorts – A.P.C., Red sweater – Acne, Twill shorts – Jack Wills, Shirt – Etoile Isabel Marant

They’ve been teamed with floral smock tops and flip flops, breton tops and button-downs. Blouses and vests, lots of bangles, floral hair accessories and straw hats – all are but a distraction from the big issue: since when has wearing yucky coloured shorts been OK?

The main issue with brown shorts arises from the Jeff Banks 1990 redesign of the Brownie uniform. It consisted of a banana yellow sweatshirt and a pair of voluminous, sludgy brown culottes. There was also a yellow baseball cap. (The mere words make this writer shudder.)

It wasn’t a good look. It was also a total nightmare finding Clark’s Magic Steps that worked with such an ensemble.

For many twenty-something women, the return of brown shorts is reminiscent of weak orange squash and the strange smell of the local church hall.

Yet this hasn’t stopped fashion’s sudden found zeal for the garment. A quick glance at Vogues’ high summer advertisements reveals that brown shorts are major news for both high-end and the high street.

This season’s brown shorts come in many guises – paper-bag waistbands, chino style, leather, pleather, suede, lace, be-tassled, high-waisted, hipsters, culottes, faux suede with daisy patterns punched out…

They can look good. Brown is the seventies soft-focus alternative to black. Imagine cute tan wedge heels, boyish cut faded chocolate shorts and a floaty pastel chiffon top. It is all pretty and groovy.

There’s something rather charming about a brown shorts and breton stripes combo, ideally finished with a pair of brogues and a baggy cardigan. It is preppy, cool and just the right amount of tomboy.

Leather shorts are the trickiest variant; they are terribly “fashion” but they are also a tad gross. Perhaps best kept the reserve of rock star or editors of cutting edge style magazines.

 

Whatever their guise, it seems like brown shorts are set to stick around. It might be hard to come to terms with, but as every former Brownie guide knows, you should always do your best. And if that means embracing a potentially troublesome trend, then so be it.