At the ripe old age of forty, I no longer sport short shorts. I wore those of the three inch inseam variety probably longer than I should have and by that I mean, beyond the thirty year mark. Put the blame on the siren call of all of the acid bright novelty prints released by J.Crew circa 2010 through 2014.
These days though, I am not tempted by a neon hue or an ikat print. Restrained solid colors, neutral and pastel, fill my closet shorts shelf.
the j.crew five inch inseam stretch chino shorts
I got into the five inch inseam length circa 2019 when I realized that even the four inch inseam shorts were no longer cutting it. Any given weight issue aside, I find this more conservative length to be much more flattering. Since adopting this variation, I came to own these shorts in three colorways.
The shorts are made of a cotton stretch chino fabric, which restricts one from wearing them when it is too hot and humid outside. Unless you are going for an adult diaper feel. Having given birth twice and actually having had to wear diapers while my uterus heals, the adult diaper is a look I personally avoid these days.
But for the recent unseasonably cool summer we have had, these shorts are stellar. I am keeping an eye out for the next promo so I can add navy blue to my lineup.
Drew, over at Tailor and Barber, is also on a five inch inseam shorts campaign, albeit for the guys. We filmed a same / same Reel featuring J.Crew five inch inseam stretch chino shorts for both him and her around Rittenhouse Square not so long ago.
shirt: J.Crew • shorts: J.Crew • shoes: Stubbs & Wootton • sunglasses: Rayban • initial necklace: Maya Brenner via Baublebar • earrings: J.Crew • watch: Cartier (also here)
current colorways of the j.crew women’s long inch inseam stretch chino shorts