As summer comes, the hemlines begin to creep up and for some women, baring their legs isn't so liberating. "I don't want to make these legs the burden of other people on the street!" jokes Rachael, who refuses to wear shorts.

Do you wear shorts?

Can Rachael's fashion buddy Gretta Monahan change her mind? "I think that a woman's whole perception of shorts is off. Shorts were one of those things where we only think about them in relation to the athletic field or in the gym because that's the first place they were appropriate," says Gretta. "But things have changed. Now shorts can be longer, can look more like skirts, and even have different types of cuffs."

Find out which style works for your body type.

Gretta's tips:

• For short people, Gretta suggests keeping it neutral. "Go with more muted and neutral tones on the bottom and color on the top. This elongates your body and draws the attention up to your torso and face, giving the illusion of being taller," she explains. Also, keep in mind that cuffs on your shorts is a little more difficult to pull of when you're petite. If you want a cuff for a more finished look, try a very narrow cuff so it doesn't pull attention away from any of the length you are trying to create.

• "For skinny chicken-legged women, you should try wearing shorts that hit right around the knee," Gretta says. "Make sure you don't buy wide-leg shorts or extremely tight shorts as these styles will only accentuate your skinny legs. The best short to wear is a walking short."

• "Women who have thicker thighs and more curvy legs should wear looser and longer-fitting shorts to give comfort through your problem area," says Gretta. "Looser-fitting shorts give the illusion of a skirt look and go down to the same length as a skirt."