All sorts of shorts for summer

We really feel bad for guys this season. As the weather comes to a boil and then simmers, shorts become the preferred attire, and it's obvious that women have the upper hand.

We can choose from virtually any length — from the short shorts of Daisy Duke to cropped pants that flirt with the ankles.

Guys' shorts land in a narrow strike zone — somewhere just above and just below the knee, so they're bound to be jealous.

For women, tailored shorts are reaching a fashion peak. These city shorts, also known as Bermudas, are anything but garish and can easily be dressed up for the office. The shorts come in fabrics that run the gamut — linen-silk blends, tweeds and jersey. The prints are more conservative, and the styles are ultra-flattering.

"Guys could never do that in an office; they are definitely stuck in their suits. But it's a really cute look for women," said Katy Maak Yelkencioglu, co-owner of paperdolls, a new downtown boutique in St. Louis. At a business meeting in New York, she sported city shorts and a cropped jacket and said she got nothing but compliments.

A jacket elevates knee-skimming shorts into office attire.

This season, it'll be easy to find women's short coordinates for any occasion.

"We noticed that the jump in sales started in May," said Constance White, the New York-based style director of eBay.

The style is not a big surprise, she said. Major designers showed city shorts for spring last year, and fashion magazines are featuring celebrities with the look.

"There are lots of options out there for women to embrace this season, from the fashionista to the middle-of-the-road woman and 20-somethings to 50-year-olds," White said.

The season isn't just about the short-shorts, which really "only look good on Jessica Simpson and about five other women in the United States," she joked.

"The tailored Bermudas are very sophisticated, fun and funky at the same time. I prefer them over shorter shorts for women 30 and up," Yelkencioglu said.

But last year's gauchos are still in vogue, she said. Older women may feel more comfortable in the longer gauchos because the slight bell cut adds shape, and the length flatters all heights.

"There really isn't a style that's totally out this season," Yelkencioglu said.

So take your pick of lengths.

Long, too-skinny legs may favor calf-length capris.

Fuller figures appreciate fluid gauchos with a slight flare.

Shorter women get a boost from cuffed shorts that hit around mid-thigh.

Taller women looking to accentuate legs will benefit from slightly tapered, uncuffed shorts.

Teens will flock to the short shorts.

Tailored shorts with pumps or heeled sandals and a matching jacket can suit almost anyone.

The beauty of tailored shorts is that almost every style and fabric choice is represented — eyelet, seersucker, jersey, tweeds, silk and synthetic blends styled with pleats, flat fronts, belts and big cuffs.

"I don't think we're going to see the same selection for men ever. And dressy shorts aren't going to catch on with men at the office, but I see men choosing shorts for more casual occasions, and in a few offices, cargo shorts are acceptable on Friday," White said.

For the record, everyone we queried about men in shorts agreed that it's not a good look for business. No one was really sure why, just a vague suggestion that it looks a little goofy.