Short shorts are the new (necessary) Shorts

Daisy Dukes. Cut-Offs. Hot Pants. Walking shorts. Stubbies. Knee Pants. Whatever you call them, this summer shorter shorts have adopted a new name: necessary. With no sign of heat relief insight, many are combating the summer's brutal sun the best way they could think of: shorter inseams. Short shorts were on trend for this summer for sure, and leave it to celebrities to usher in the trend by heating up the already hot streets while running errands, taking the stage or burning up the red carpet in barely there bottoms.

Running Errands

Model Agyness Deyn

Twilight's Ashley Greene

Christina Ricci

Penelope Cruz

Reality starlet Audrina Patridge

New mom Victoria Beckham

Nicole Richie

Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester

Country singer LeAnn Rimes

Reality star Kristin Cavallari

Kim Kardashian

Model Jessica White

Kate Moss

Jessica Simpson

Hillary Duff

Halle Berry

Attending Events/Performances

Khloe Kardashian-Odom

90210 star Shenae Grimes

Miley Cyrus performs in the trendy bottoms

Beyonce at Coachella, the perfect outdoor concert to pull out short shorts

Selena Gomez's face says it all. She wore this DSqaured “Monsieur” jumpsuit short shorts ensemble at the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto, Canada

Taylor Momsen on the set of Gossip Girl

Taylor's Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively attends Cinema Society After Party for Private Lives

Mischa Barton attends the GQ Dior Homme event Honoring Kris Van Assche

Cameron Diaz at the Live Earth Show

Model Gisele Bundchen shoots a scene for Blackcowboy's "Come On"

The trend has been received as less-than-lukewarm with most men, but there are a few guys who decided to attempt to pull off (or rather, pull on) the thigh skimming shorts. Whether it was for a role, part of a costume or for fitness, there's not much to say about a guy confident enough to wear short shorts except it takes a real man to make them look masculine.

Nip/Tuck's Julian McMahon wears this summer's trendy brief swim trunks

Ed Westwick on the set of Gossip Girl

Westwick's "Chuck Bass" character is obviously a fan of short shorts

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo caught flack for this picture but he's got an amazing pair of (over-tanned) legs so why not show them off?

Singer John Mayer as "Captain of the S.S. Short Shorts"

Glee star Matthew Morrison dressed up as Richard Simmons for Halloween

Which brings us to the man who puts the "short" in short shorts for men, Richard Simmons. Even in his 60's, the "pony" man still has the legs for it.

Even though they're short, they can still put a dent in your pocket. Luckily, companies like Forever 21, American Apparel, Topshop and Zara have made affordable options for both men and women.

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

What is madras plaid? I've seen a few guys in shirts, blazers or shorts and was just curious. Is it similar to seersucker? It looks pretty cool and I'm thinking I want to start wearing it. Have any suggestions on how or what to wear it with?

Signed,

Plaid Player

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Dear P.P.,

Madras plaid is similar to seersucker in that its a lightweight cotton fabric worn in warmer weather seasons, primarily spring and summer. Its also similar to seersucker in that its favored in the south and by the preppy sect of society. But that preferential treatment and regional designation shouldn't deter you from wearing it. Madras doesn't speak to everyone's sartorial senses so if you think you can wear it, then by all means have at it.

Now, how to wear it. Since the patchwork pattern already has a lot going on, you'd want to look at pairing your madras pieces with solids to let the patchwork be the dizzying focal point of your outfit. If you opt to buy madras shorts or pants, any solid colored polo or oxford would do. The same rule applies for madras shirts: plan to wear solid pants or shorts. (Rarely can one pull off critter pants paired with madras but if you want to go completely p-p-p-p-Preppy then here's your chance.) A madras blazer could be worn with just about any outfit as long as the top and bottom in question are solid in coloring.

If you're looking for an easier transition into the unplanned plaid pattern, look for a necktie, bow tie, belt or even shoes made from madras that you can accessories an outfit with that would be considered plain without the plaid. Where the comparison with seersucker goes completely out the window is when someone wears a madras blazer and pant together. Wearing a "patchwork suit" is borderline reverse snobbery at its best, but there's only so much pattern the eyes can take in at once. And if you want to look like a well-groomed hobo then again, by all means have at it. Just don't be surprised if someone drops a quarter in your cup of coffee.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com