Ah, spring, when a young man's fancy turns to love, and a woman's fancy turns to shorts. Or perhaps not so much her fancy, as most women I know seem to avoid shorts like the plague. Still, as the weather warms, it is hard not to think about wearing shorts, either because you love them or because you've given them up and are wondering if just maybe this is the year you will bring them back.

I have no overriding opinion about shorts, but I do have some strategies for looking your best in them. The first strategy is to shop now for shorts -- yes, now! Today, before the weather is hot and the shorts -- or at least the really cute ones, in the right sizes -- are all gone. I know that some of you are still digging your cars out in the morning, but the retail industry says that summer is here, at least the wardrobe part of it, and if you wait until the actual change in weather, you will have waited too long.

And nothing is worse than greeting that first day of shorts-appropriate weather without a pair of properly fitting shorts.

How do you KNOW if your shorts fit properly? Simple: think about them as pants, but with less leg. In other words, start with the way they fit your waist and hips and thighs. Shorts, like pants, need to fit the most difficult part of your lower half in order to REALLY fit. If you have wide thighs, look for shorts that don't pull across the rear; if you have a little extra in the middle, look for shorts that don't give you muffin top. A flat front is the most flattering for every shape; pleats are the least flattering.

Look for shorts that fall straight from the widest part of your hips; unless you have very boyish hips, skip shorts that taper at the knee. Avoid cuffs, as these will cut your legs off at the hemline.

Shorts with pockets are practical, but don't settle for any old pocket. Rear flap pockets will make your backside look bigger, which is only a good thing if you have a very very flat backside. Front flap pockets will make your hips look wider, which really is never a good thing. Opt for button-welt pockets in the back. Side slant pockets are a fairly safe choice, as long as they don't gap at the hip. Cargo pockets are best on women with slim thighs, as they will add bulk to the sides of your shorts.

Okay, you're saying, but what about length? How short -- or long -- should my shorts be? A good rule of thumb is that your shorts should hit no higher than mid-thigh, and no lower than the tops of your knees. Ideally the hem of your shorts will fall right to the slimmest part of your thigh; that draws the eye to that particular spot and makes your leg look long and slim. Contrary to popular belief, a longer hemline is not necessarily the most flattering or slimming; going slightly shorter will emphasize your curves and make your legs look more shapely.

Don't go TOO short, though. Mid-thigh, please.

If you have short legs, or a long torso, think about shorts with a shorter rise and a higher waistband. The combination will draw the eye up and make your legs look a mile long. Conversely, if you have very long legs try a slightly lower waistband, for a more proportional look. But not too low -- no one wants to see your underwear.

In the end, the right shorts are all about proportion. Be prepared to try on as many pairs as it takes to find the right fit and cut. And then, when the snow melts and summer really arrives, wear them with abandon.

Shorts pictured here are available at Nordstrom.

Related links:

The It Lists reminds us that faking a tan is better than damaging our skin.

The Fashionable Housewife may very well have found America's Ugliest Shoes. Do NOT wear these with your shorts -- or with ANYTHING.

Mindy at Things I've Bought and Love is waxing eloquent about flats, which are PERFECT with shorts.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at The Working Closet and Fashion Find, and about everything else at Friday Playdate. She does not currently own any shorts; she prefers a skirt for hot weather.