Four Essential Shorts For Summer

There's only one way to describe the first day back to work after a three-day, 4th of July weekend: bummer. Yep, it has officially been the Monday-est Tuesday ever. On days like today, having something casual and effortless to wear is key, because simultaneously nursing a hangover, dealing with post-party depression and deciding which #latergram to post takes enough effort in itself. And when it comes to simple summer staples, nothing saves the day like a pair of shorts. Easy to slip into, ready to pair with anything and perfect for beating the heat. While we're firm believers that you can never have enough pairs of shorts (that's obviously the Southern California Girl in us speaking), we're also well aware that not everyone necessarily needs a pair of shorts for everyday of the week--we're looking at you, East Coasters. So today we're sharing the four essential short styles you've got to have when stocking up your summer wardrobe. 

Classic Cutoffs

It's been said over and over again, but a pair of classic denim cutoffs really do go with EVERYTHING. When shopping for a pair you'll get max wear out of, look for a medium wash (not too light, not too dark) with slight distressing and a relaxed frayed hemline. This pair by Blank NYC meets all of our requirements, and can be dressed down with a muscle tee and slides or layered over a sleek lace-up bodysuit for nights out. 

Easy Flounce Shorts

A pair of ruffle trim flounce shorts, like these ones by Vagabond (VDV's exclusive, in-house brand) make a flirty, feminine statement no matter how you wear them. Their lightweight construction means they're breezy and dry quickly, making them the perfect beach pair. When we aren't slipping them over our sandy cheeks we love wearing them with a bell sleeve top and star-studded belt. 

Serious Statement-Makers 

Sometimes a pair of cutoffs just won't cut it. When the dress code requires something a little dressier, we love reaching for these suede, lace-up shorts by Vagabond. The deep burgundy color feels sophisticated and looks killer with a simple black sweater tank. And if you're worried about sweating your *ss off in suede, don't--these are made from vegan faux suede meaning they're a lot more lightweight than the real stuff. 

Basic Black Denim

But do you have it in black? If you've ever found yourself asking this question, you def need to snag yourself a pair of these One Teaspoon Bandits (they're on sale, too)! The raw, rolled hem means they're a bit shorter on the sides, which keeps them feeling casual AND makes for an insanely flattering silhouette. These tend to run cheeky, so we love balancing that out with a simple tank and layering up with a cool kimono, like this one by Amuse Society.