The Skinny on Where to Find Long Shorts

Dear Fashion Police: This is the third or fourth spring season that I’ve noticed predominantly short shorts in the stores. Am I the only gal who can’t let it all hang out? I actually have pretty slim legs, but they ain’t what they used to be, and I am desperate to cover them from the knee up. Do the designers really want to see our cellulite and varicose veins? Also, car seats get hot in the summer, and it’s nice to have some protection for the back of the leg. Can you please ask the designers what they’re thinking? And does anybody carry longer shorts? I like mine with slim legs, which are even harder to find.

--PICKY

Dear Picky: We strongly suspect that the preponderance of short shorts has to do with wanting to cash in on the lucrative youth market, which manufacturers, designers and retailers have been chasing for some time. And when it comes to that market (we’re talking teens and 20s), sexy is in, hence the ubiquitous belly shirts, see-through lace blouses, miniskirts, etc. (all the better to show off those piercings and tattoos).

But there are some sympathetic souls who understand your plight, and haven’t abandoned women who want more coverage. We found several different styles of longer shorts, some even with the slim leg you desire. At Gap.com we found narrow denim utility shorts for $38 (www.gap.com, or call [800] 427-7895). L.L. Bean has Tencel/cotton shorts for $44 (www.llbean.com, or call [800] 441-5713), and Talbots offers slim-leg seersucker Bermuda shorts for $68 and pleated twill shorts for $44 (www.talbots.com, or call [800] 825-2687).

At Chadwick’s of Boston, there are Cambridge Country walk shorts for $16 (www.chadwicks .com, or call [800] 677-0340), and J. Jill has long cotton drawstring shorts for $39 (www.jjill.com, or call [800] 343-5700). Spiegel also carries two styles of slim Bermuda shorts for $39 and $49 (www.spie gel.com, or call [800] 527-1577).

Dear Fashion Police: I started scrapbooking several months ago, and am hopelessly addicted. What does this have to do with fashion? Whenever I take family pictures, my husband is wearing the same shirt in a small range of colors--a polo in either light blue or light gray. On rare occasions he’ll wear a tailored shirt, but also in light blue. I’ve practically pleaded with him to wear different colors and styles--maybe a sweater now and then?--but he won’t budge. My scrapbook layouts would look so much better if he’d just vary his wardrobe. It’s much easier with the kids, since they’re just toddlers. But what to do about my husband?

--THINKING OF CROPPING HIM OUT

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Dear Thinking: We have many friends who are also scrapbooking fanatics, so we understand your plight. While you can’t always control what everyone wears (you must leave room for candid shots too), it would be nice if, for key planned pictures, family members wore pastels in spring, brights in summer, jewel tones during the winter holidays, etc. After all, what’s the point of investing that much money in supplies and equipment if someone’s going to wear a pale blue shirt in a photo showing colorful fall foliage?

It’s often difficult to get men to stray from their wardrobe comfort zones, but we don’t think you should give up. Start by suggesting different tones of shades he’s familiar with, such as royal blue, slate blue, navy or charcoal gray. Be sure to pour on the compliments when he tries something on. Don’t ooze insincerity, but make sure he knows how terrific he looks. By the way, it wouldn’t hurt to get your friends to throw in a nice word or two as well, and don’t forget to show him how great your layouts look when the family is sartorially coordinated.

Once he starts getting positive feedback he’ll be more likely to explore other color ranges, such as sage, topaz or maybe even burgundy, and maybe even branch out to sweaters and different styles of shirts.

It’s important to have patience during this process; a scrapbook isn’t built in a day, and neither is a man’s overhauled wardrobe. If your husband is completely stubborn about trying new clothes, don’t push him. It’s far more important to have happy family photos, even if the colors are a little off.

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