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    The best short suits to power walk your way through spring

    Penny Goldstone's avatar
    By Penny Goldstone
    Published 12 March 2020 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    short suits
    (Image credit: 2020 Claudio Lavenia)
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    If you're after a summer trend that's work-appropriate, then short suits are for you. Once considered a mum-sy trend best left to the 90s (although it did always look great on Julia in Pretty Woman), it started having a bit of a renaissance last year, thanks to designers such as Tibi, Versace, Saint Laurent and Off-White.

    SS19 saw more of a shift towards athleisure, thanks in no small part to the rise of the cycling short, which you might be pleased to hear isn't as present this season. For SS20, shorts are also getting longer, with labels such as Frankie Shop, ACNE STUDIOS and Gauchere putting a fresh twist on bermuda shorts.

    Though if you're still into short shorts, fret not, there are still plenty of those around. I'm particularly loving the classic tailoring of Veronica Beard and the safari-inspired two-piece by Alexa Chung. There's no escaping leather in all its guises either, and Peter Do has a great vegan leather brown ensemble.

    Shades are a bit more subdued this season, with bold colours giving way to watered down greens and pinks, and earthy shades of khaki, brown and beige.

    short suits

    (Image credit: 2020 Edward Berthelot)

    Over on the cobbles, Janelle Monae, Leonie Hanne and Kaia Gerber were amongst the many fashion influencers and celebrities that gave the trend their seal of approval during fashion month. The beauty of short suits is that they're not only perfect for work, there is literally a style to suit every taste and mood.

    For a dressed-down take on a classic, team a tan linen suit with a Gucci t-shirt and Tevas or your ugly sandal of choice, for a fancier take, try a satin suit with a minimal heeled sandal - influencer-fave STAUD has a great one right now. Or, go with a floaty floral blouse for an eccentric 70s spin a la Gucci.

    For the high street, look to & Other Stories and Zara, but if you've got a bigger budget, then you can't go wrong with a bit of TIBI, ACNE or Max Mara.

    Shop my edit of the best short suits below.

    short suits

    FRANKIE SHOP Julie double-breasted gabardine blazer, £260
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    short suits

    FRANKIE SHOP Julie pleated gabardine shorts, £130
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    short suits

    STAUD Madden single-breasted satin jacket, £265 at MATCHESFASHION
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    short suits

    STAUD Noah cotton-blend charmeuse shorts, £190 at MATCHESFASHION
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    short suits

    Mango medium sleeve blazer, £49.99
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    short suits

    Mango Pleated shorts, £29.99
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    short suits

    ZARA STRAIGHT DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER, £89.99
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    short suits

    ZARA LONG BERMUDA SHORTS WITH SEAM DETAILS, £49.99
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    short suits

    ACNE STUDIOS Janny double-breasted canvas jacket, £455
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    short suits

    ACNE STUDIOS Ruthie tailored wool-blend twill shorts, £280 at MATCHESFASHION
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    short suits

    & Other Stories Long Fit Satin Blazer, £77
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    short suits

    & Other Stories High Waisted Satin Bermuda Shorts, £35
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    short suits

    GAUCHERE Priya wool-blend blazer, £1,010
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    short suits

    GAUCHERE Praline wool-blend shorts, £445
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    short suits

    PETER DO Convertible faux leather blazer, £2,115 at Net-A-Porter
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    short suits

    PETER DO Faux leather shorts, £855 at Net-A-Porter
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    TOPSHOP IDOL Leaf Print Jacket, £69
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    short suits

    TOPSHOP IDOL Leaf Print Shorts, £39
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    short suits

    Paul Smith Brick Red Linen Jacket, £605
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    short suits

    Paul Smith Brick Red Linen Tailored Shorts, £355
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    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Penny Goldstone
    Penny Goldstone
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    Contributing Fashion Editor

    Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

    She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.

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