Shorts aren't usually on the shopping lists of the truly stylish (even if they live in an equatorial climate), but this season some may just make the cut.

The spring collections comprise a gamut of shorts of every length and design, including more than a few that are utterly chic and wearable - the rolled-up tailored short pants at Bottega Veneta and Jil Sander, for instance.

If you want to raise the oomph level a little, there are what appear to be glamorous running shorts at Prada (but are definitely more than track-worthy, especially when paired with the matching top).

We'd toe the line at Dolce & Gabbana's floral-print bloomers and everything else of that length and less though - too torrid, even for summer.

This article was first published in The Business Times.