City shorts have styles to suit every figure

They're shorts, fashion fans, but not as we know them. By now you will have heard that shorts made an appearance on every international runway worth its overpaid supermodel. Shorts have also taken a star turn on local catwalks.

And yes, they still look like shorter trousers but they're going by a new name. City shorts seems to be the phrase with which fashion editors everywhere have christened them. They're made for the urban sophisticate as much as the gym goer, beach bunny or farmer's daughter.

This new batch of shorts come in plenty of styles and shapes, going from Scouts numbers to disco hot pants to bloomers, from relaxed and summery to arty to elegant and even businesslike. Dress them up with heels and a jacket, then down with some espadrilles and a boho-style blouse.

You may find that one pair of shorts will see you safely through a variety of different trends and moods. The right shorts are about to become a summer staple. All of which may be a good reason to see this season's shorts as something of an investment. That is, you might want to check out the more expensive, well-tailored designer options as well as the chain store models.

But first, let's deal with the hecklers. So you think you're too old for shorts? Well, think again, because some of these newly tailored lovelies are probably more elegant than some of your old trousers.

And you happen to know that your legs are the shape and colour that make children cry and grown men grab their sunglasses? That's tricky but not impossible to deal with. First, in the absence of any sun in the North Island until at least next February, you'll need to get out the self-tanning lotion.

As for the shape and size of your legs, how this works out will depend much on the shape and length of the shorts you decide on.

Full-length trousers encase your leg in one colour and this gives your lower half a long, vertical line. But when you wear shorts - and indeed any shorter trousers - you draw onlookers' eyes to where the garment ends.

Experts say the most flattering place for shorts and skirts to end is around the knee. If you're worried about knobbly knees you might want to invest in some shorts that hide those boney appendages. If not, you'll be best sticking to shorts that finish just above the knee.

If your knees are indecisive, you may be best off with a pair of tailored canvas shorts from Kate Sylvester's collection. These can be adjusted depending on how much leg you're wanting to show.

But those with further leg and bottom issues may still be worried. The best thing for pear-shaped types is to wear some of the low-slung, baggier and longer looks that will make you feel most comfortable, such as those available from local designer Helen Cherry. These shorts have a silhouette that more closely resembles a skirt than a pair of tight shorts and, as anyone who's watched one of those reality TV fashion-torture shows knows, the A-line skirt is one of the most flattering shapes on any figure. Wear whichever you decide on with a fitting top and heels or wedges to elongate your legs.

This new bunch of shorts have become unexpectedly feminine, girlie and fresh. Maybe the best thing is to see them as a cool, stylish substitute for a skirt. If you wouldn't wear a mini-skirt, then you can probably leave the teeny weeny butt-huggers alone, too. But if you'd wear a knee-length skirt, then why not consider a pair of this new breed of shorts? And now we've made short order of issues you may have had, go forth and show some leg.

Bohemian

Once it was appropriate to wear shorts only with a tank top or T-shirt, but the boho look has produced a plethora of soft and fluffy, floral, lace or otherwise romantic shirts that look fantastic slouched over shorts. Summery footwear, such as a raffia wedge, a beaded jandal or a vintage boot keeps the look pretty and hippie.

Check out: safari-inspired shorts at State of Grace, marching shorts at Kate Sylvester or, for the truly experimental, try Zambesi's innovative take on shorts.

Ladylike

You'll need to keep your shorts tailored and long but really, there's nothing as flirty as a pair of shorts with an appropriate heel and a mildly cropped suit jacket. A more elegant look involves high-waisted and belted shorts. The more daring might like to try a boiler suit with pearls and heels.

Check out: Kate Sylvester's linen and canvas shorts with matching jackets, Helen Cherry's classic cuffed styles and Zambesi's yoke front shorts.

Classic

Just because shorts are trendy this summer doesn't mean you can't wear them the way you always did - with a crisp T-shirt and flat shoes. Experiment with different styles, though, because the new shorts tend to ride lower and more flatteringly on the hips.

Check out: see above.

Punk

Some of the variations on the theme of shorts have involved designer versions of old men's belted walk shorts, surfers' board shorts and even denim dungarees. Worn with a band T-shirt and a waistcoat or a tank top and a cardigan plus a pair of basketball boots or even old motorcycle boots, this is the rock'n'roll version.

Check out: Karen Walker's shorts, Zambesi's romper styles and boiler suits.