Who wears short shorts? you can, if you follow some simple advice.

Get bare up to there with the hottest of hot pants from lifetime collective

When skinny jeans re-appeared on the scene a few years ago, almost every woman said the same thing: "I wouldn't be caught dead in them." But eventually, most of us clued in to the fact you don't need a 12-year-old's hips to wear those tapered bad boys. All you need is the right top (tunic) and shoe (flat), and you're good. Well, the same goes for short shorts. They're not as hard to nail as you might think. Here's how.

Lifetime Collective

"Definitely don't wear them with stiletto heels–you could be mistaken for something you're not." That's Trevor Fleming's advice. He's cofounder of Lifetime Collective, a local streetwear label with its own version of the short shorts. He and partner Reid Stewart called theirs the Tessal ($80), and the two thought of everything when they designed these summer must-haves–even chafing. The woolly pinstripes, which come in navy or brown, are lined with a silky fabric. Adding to their nautical feel, Victorian-style crescent buttons decorate the pockets and cuffed hems. According to Fleming, the Tessal's good for day or night.

Carny Love

"They're pretty versatile," he says. "Dress them up with a drapey open-neck top or just rock them down with a T-shirt and some basic little flats. They go with a lot of things–and they can be sexy or cute."

Fleming predicts that shorts like the Tessal aren't going anywhere soon: "They'll definitely be around for at least a few more seasons."

Available at several Lower Mainland locations, including the Block (350 West Cordova Street).

Carny Love

Inspired by '60s clowns, Vancouver's Carny Love has some super-cute sailor shorts ($70) that will take the worry out of south-of-the-belt wardrobe malfunctions.

"I think Jessica Simpson put the hot shorts to shame," says Carny Love CEO Christie Clayton. "Some people are scared to wear hot shorts, but if you wear them with [footless] tights and a tunic, you can still get the full benefit of hot shorts without being too exposed. We live in this great tights time where we can wear anything, which is so fabulous for everybody."

Her shorts come in fire-engine red with matching heart-shaped buttons or navy with white buttons.

"With red ones, I'd wear a really nice black tunic, black wedgies, and fishnet stockings," she says. "With the blue, I'd wear three-quarter-length leggings–maybe white lace ones, which are really cool–and maybe a white wife-beater."

And if you're not convinced that hot shorts are the way to go this summer, Clayton has this to say: "They're sexy, they're fun, they're children's wear for adults. They can change from day to night depending on what you wear with them. They're Lolita-style fashion, and that's really hot this season."

Available at Dream Apparel & Articles for People (311 West Cordova Street), Pleasant Girl Beauty Bar (2541 Main Street), Liquid Clothing (2050 West 4th Avenue), and Twigg & Hottie (3671 Main Street).

Bodybag by Jude Clothing

Bodybag by Jude Clothing

Not surprisingly, Montreal was all about the short shorts long before we were. Among the pioneers was Montreal-based label Bodybag by Jude Clothing. This season, BBJC gives a little nod and a wink to carnivals and exhibition parks, in the form of the Coney (as in Island, $108). These preppy stretch-cotton '80s-style hot pants (available in black, hazelnut, or grey) can be sporty daywear or fashion-forward clubwear. For Bodybag president Judith Desjardins, when it comes to working the Coney, it's all about the shoe.

"Ultimately, I think it's up to the individual personality of the person, but the rounder-tipped shoes or peek-toes are very hot right now," Desjardins says by phone. "Little platforms would be very Studio 54. Pointy heels–well, they're really for younger girls only, and even then they're almost done."

Just as important as the right footwear is the fit. "There is a fine line between slutty and chic," she says. "If you see the bottom of your bum, that's definitely not appropriate."

Available at Hum Clothing (3623 Main Street).