Get the Look: Lacy shorts

(Please go check out my post on Jen's blog, The Look For Less. I participated in her "3 Wishes" summer series and had so much fun doing so. Thank you, Jen!!)

I got a lot of compliments and comments on the F21 lace shorts in my OOTD earlier today-- thank you! Unforunately, they were for sale at Forever 21 probably 2-3 months ago (I had been looking for a pair of "boudoir" shorts after perusing the spring runways and there they were!) and most likely are not in stores anymore.

Soooo, I did a little searching on this world wide web and found some "inspired-by" pieces that can give you a similar look. I did not find an exact match, which stinks, but if you're wanting to recreate the boudoir short look like I was, these picks may appeal to you. Enjoy!

Lace Turn Up shorts at Topshop, $125

A close match, but *gulp*... that price!

Lace Pleat shorts at Topshop, $65

Come in black and a cute dusty blue.

Elizabeth and James Mondrian Lace shorts, $225

Double *gulp* at price. But super, duper cute!!

Pins and Needles Scalloped lace tap shorts, $25

An inspiration piece, but I like it nonetheless, and to be honest, it's a lot closer to what I was initially looking for. The price is easier to swallow, too! Come in cream as well.

Kimchi Blue silky lace tap short, $28

Another cute UO option! The hem gives the same look as the F21 shorts, which is nice since that's really what you see. Come in purple, black and nude.

Plus gals, remember: lace will continue to be in style through Fall '10, so these boudoir shorts with the addition of some textured tights will look fantastic come the cooler months!! :)

Styling help: The Boudoir Shorts.

First-- glad you liked the giveaway! Click there to the right on my sidebar to enter if you already haven't... still plenty of time left to comment the post or tweet for some entries!!

I freaked a little when I saw these on F21's website... I think I even posted about them because I was so excited. I hesitated on them, and thought about it for some time but just couldn't seem to get them out of my head-- they just seemed to be the perfect way to try the boudoir-inspired hot-shorts that is a trend this spring. I really wanted a silk pair with lace edging (in cream, ahem), but since I never found those, I decided to get this pair.

Yay!

But.

Uhh... how in the hell do I style these things?!

Ok, so they're just black shorts with a bit of lace on 'em, nothing way too far out there. But they need to be the center of attention... I mean, c'mon. They're lace shorts.  The first look is good 'cuz it's rather neutral, but it's just not special at all. The second look with the floral BCBG blouse is OK, too, but maybe doesn't let them shine like they need to. The third look with the blazer is just too much for the dainty shorts and definitely doesn't say "spring," and the last one is blah. Just blah.

I'm going to have to play around a bit on Polyvore to see how this will work, but I'm forseeing a requisite purchase in order to achieve the look I wanted. What I envision= something sexy without being over the top, something light and feminine (keeping with the boudoir-esque feel; think silk and pastels), and something that says "Spring."(Patterson J. Kincaid has some fun tops that are pretty casual but flowy to balance the short and body-hugging shorts; love the Lilac top!)

So, my lovely and talented readers-- what say you? How would these look best? Top? Cardi? Blouse? Tee? (help. please.)