Short takes

Shape, April, 2003 by Julie Hill

Center Stage

Tailored or romantic, whatever your taste, short hemlines keep the look fresh this season. This page: Chanel polymide swim jacket, $380, and skirt, $310. Ficelles de Fidelle necklace, $185. Camper sneakers, $140. Opposite from left: Trina Turk gauze blouse, $85. Bottega Veneta suede shorts, $560. Louis Vuitton satchel, $890. Ficelles de Fidelle necklaces. $100-$150, and bracelet, by special order. Sigerson Morrison leather flats, $322. Velvet floral top, $75. Moschino striped skirt, $615. Model's own earrings. Lambertson Truex handbag, $775. Alex and Ani bracelets, $38-$40. Sigerson Morrison leather flats, $359.

Beauty note Palmer's Coca Butter Formula Body Glss, $5, with vitamin E, leaves legs soft and glowing - the perfect accessory to any short style.

Hot Shots

Easy styles in sporty cuts will keep you on the go. This page: Trina Turk velour top with collar; $170. Diane von Furstenberg cotton terry-cloth shorts, $140. Hermes scarf, $270. Timex watch, $35. Nine West "Deanilis" sneaker-inspired heels, $69. Opposite, from left: Lucky Brand tank with tie sleeves, $36. Diane von Furstenberg shorts, $140. Puma socks, $8, and shoes, $80. Nike terrycloth wristbands, $5.50. Lucky Brand numbered tank top; $36. Chanel polyester mesh running shorts, $290. Puma socks $8. Adidas casual sneakers, $60, and wristband, $5.

Beauty note Stay energized throughout your day with cooling creams and lotions. Perlier Kiwi Energy Refreshing Cream for Legs and Feet, $22.50 contains skin tingling microspheres with menthol and kiwi extract that leave legs feeling fresh and moisturized.

Long and Lean

Beauty note Before showing off short styles, consider getting your skin in shape with smoothing creams like Avon Solutions Cellu-Scuipt, $15. This gel-cream's patent-pending technology includes the known skin-firming ingredient caffeine. See Buyer's Guide, page 188, for retail information.

Your healthy lifestyle and commitment to fitness give you a leg up on the new bare-all look. This page: Lucky Brand T-shirt, $52. D&G floral short shorts, $190. Streets Ahead embroidered leather belt, $129. Nine West anklewrap flats, $69. Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel bracelet, $90. Opposite: Versace Jeans Couture pique palm-print jacket, $565. Ralph Lauren Blue Label distressed lean skirt, $9B. Aerosoles heels, $55. Nikki b. cuff, $100. Dior watch, $1,195.