Beautiful Shoes for Short Shorts

The Best Shoes for Short Shorts

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

Short shorts can be more flattering than a lot of women think -- especially when they're paired with the right shoes.

Making Short Shorts Work for You

Short shorts have been a summertime staple for several decades. And while many women don't want to wear shorts this length, for others, it's just a matter of wanting to know how to wear them.

Below are some of the best shoe styles for shorts like this, as well as tips on how to make the whole look come together.

Ankle Strap Sandals
Sandals with ankle straps are just plain sexy, and they're an ideal match for short shorts. Dressier styles like the ones shown here are great for twill, linen and other dress shorts, while trendy platforms or sandals with chunky heels are ideal for pairing with denim.

Wedge Sandals
Since they show so much leg, short shorts can handle a more substantial heel, and wedge sandals are a great choice. But since wedge heels are somewhat bulky by nature, you'll want to choose styles that feature thinner straps or single band slides. This will keep your feet from looking too clunky.

Ballet Flats
If you want to spare your feet and back the pain of high heels, then you should love short shorts, as they're perfect for pairing with ballet flats.

Shoes like the ones shown here will lend a dressier touch, but these days it's also very easy to find canvas ballet flats for wearing with casual cotton or denim shorts.

Flat Sandals
Flat thongs, slides and toe-ring sandals all look great with short shorts. And with styles ranging from basic rubber flip-flops to crystal-encrusted metallic dress slides, there is no shortage of options.

When pairing short shorts with flat sandals, you nearly can't go wrong. The only thing to watch out for is flat sandals that have lots of really wide straps or really thick, sporty soles.

Unless you're very thin, heavy sandals can make your calves look very thick and squat, while skimpier style like the one shown here will give your legs a longer, slimmer appearance.

Canvas Sneakers
Canvas sneakers are far too casual for dressier shorts, but they're a super-cute partner for casual styles.  A sneaker that shows a lot of foot will make for a more feminine look, while a lace-up sneaker will have an edgier vibe.

Espadrilles
A summertime favorite, espadrilles come in a variety of styles, and having rope-covered heels, they look great with shorts of nearly any length.

The style shown here is more on the classic side, and offers a very cosmopolitan look combined with the comfort of a low heel. If you can wear a higher heel, espadrille wedges with skimpy straps are also a great match for short shorts.

MY THOUGHTS

i should have read this article when i was younger. short shorts for me now are for strictly private.