Q. When is the season for cropped pants? What is the best way to wear the new summer short trend?
-Shorts Unsure
A. The stores are so flooded with cropped pants and shorts this season that it’s difficult to find a good pair of lightweight pants. Cropped pants have become a year round length for pants, but in order to wear them for each season you need to choose appropriate fabrics. For summer, choose cropped pants in cotton, linen and denim and pair with flats, sandals, wedges and espadrilles. For winter, choose cropped pants in wool blends and velvet and wear them with your knee-high boots.
As for shorts, inseam lengths matter. Unless you’re under 25, skip any inseam that isn’t 5 inches or longer - nobody needs to see butt cheek when you bend over or bend down! Obviously, shorts worn with tees and tanks and cute kicks (sneakers) are meant for sporty activities. If you’re looking for a stylish option, pair your shorts with a cuter top, add long beads and wear with sandals that have some kind of heel. For a “night out” wardrobe or even casual Friday at the office, pair your longer length shorts (they hit just below or at the knee) with a cute top, fitted jacket and sassy wedges or espadrilles to give you height. For a classic look, wear your shorts with a crisp, fitted button down shirt and roll up the sleeves, a belt with a bigger belt buckle and sandals.
BCBG Max Azria Diana Cuffed Shorts (shown here), $108 at saks.com
long, sheer and gorgeous
a little sexy
something simple
wear it on the beach or out to dinner
A. Yes, it’s called 
A. Hosiery with strappy sandals or full sandal style wedges is a no-no with sheer hosiery. Sheer hose looks best with pumps, slingbacks, D’Orsays or you can even get by with a peep toe pump. Fashionistas wear tights in colder temps with some strappy styles, but it truly takes attitude to pull it off and the tights are usually a color, not black. And look for black sheer hosiery that has some built in shaping like Donna Karan Sheer Satin Essential Toners ($16.50 at 
