pants

One of the trends seen in many lines for Spring 2007 was the men's business suit with shorts, rather than pants. The Perry Ellis design, pictured, illustrates the idea. Designers love it and seem to be convinced that it is the wave of the future.

Not one to dash their hopes, but this is one trend that won't carry over once it is off the runway. Men don't want to wear them and the buyers for stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks know it; the suits are being passed over at almost every level. While the idea of being cool and comfortable in a professional environment is appealing, it doesn't seem like the business community is ready to embrace the business short look.

The two reasons that men can't wear the short suits are (1) a lack of appropriate footwear and (2) hairy legs.

If you want to explore your inner designer, the Denim Design Lab Kit will allow you to finish and distress jeans to your own specifications. Only 200 units of each of the limited edition kits, available in three different case styles, were produced and each includes a complete set of design tools and a handbook to guide you through the process. Is it worth getting a kit to customize your jeans rather than just buying a pair you like in the first place? It depends on how much you enjoy doing it, but if you get good enough, people might start coming to you instead of heading to the store. Price: £180 (about $340).

Though sometimes the fashionistas turn up their noses at shorts, realists know that they can be the most comfortable choice for summer wear. After all, there is no sense in sweltering away in a pair of jeans when you can look equally good in something light and breathable. Shorts are super-short this season for women, but the men's shorts are very fashionable and easy to wear.

Keep in mind a couple of rules when choosing shorts, though. First, don't choose a thick material. It will look bulky and unflattering, not to mention that some of the cooling features will be lost. Linen and cotton/linen blends are the way to go, like these Cargo Shorts from J. Crew ($60). Second, don't take a cue from women's fashions and instead stick with shorts that are above or at the knee. A relaxed fit and a not-too-low rise will increase their wearability, like updated Marc Jacobs Bermuda Shorts ($158). Tees, polos and button-down shirts can be paired with shorts, but try not to match them to the point where it looks like you're wearing a jumpsuit, particularly if either shirt or shorts involve a print. And finally, never wear socks with your shorts and sandals. Please.

Blame it on the changing seasons, but seersucker is back in style this summer. Seersucker is no longer limited to the bold blue-and-white stripes of yesteryear. Instead, this season's seersucker is more refined and available in more styles than ever before, so it looks great while retaining its easy-to-wear comfort and cool, breathable feel.

Etro Seersucker Trousers (pictured) are lightweight, with tan and white stripes that look almost like linen from a distance. Price: $310.

The Façonnable Stripe Seersucker Shirt masquerades as a bright, but traditional, pinstripe shirt with lines of blue, yellow and white in soft cotton. Price: $115.

Kenneth Cole has Flat Front Seersucker Pants that are a pale khaki in color. The cotton cloth"s pattern is so fine that only your comfort will remind you that you"re wearing something so casual. Price: $79.

For classicists, Paul Smith still has a blue and white seersucker suit, but the stripes are narrow and the lines of the jacket and pants are clean and up to date. It's great for a summer luncheon, business travel or ever a daytime wedding. Price: $1,195.

Jessica Simpson is being sued for $100 million by the Tarrant Apparel Group, the clothing company that put out Jessica Simpson's lines of clothing: JS by Jessica Simpson and Princy. According to their deal, Jessica was supposed to promote her own brand by wearing the jeans, though she refused to be photographed in them and, when asked what her favorite brand was by the press, said "True Religion."

True Religion jeans sell for approximately four times more than the Princy line, which retailed for around $60. It seems unlikely that  the Princy line will stick around in light of the lawsuit, but perhaps True Religion will pick Jessica up as a spokesperson. True Religion 'Joey' Miss Groovy jeans, $286.00.