Teenagers Speaking Up

*Look for a negative hemline: the hemline of your hot pants ought to curve up the outer thigh. Around the back it needs to at least follow the shape of your derriere.

*Wear hot pants only with heels. Heels will slim out your figure, and give shape to both your legs and derriere.

*On the same point, if you're wearing hot pants in a vintage style (see below for more on that) consider wearing mid-height t-bars for a cute yet sexy look.

*If you even wearing out hot pants on a cool Summer evening, consider wearing them over tights or stockings. Also consider bold patterned or coloured tights, to increase the impact of the look.


*In the same vein: hot pants in Spring 2010 are all about colours and patterns. Don't feel you have to wear them solely in black, that was a 2009 interpretation of the look. Also look for unique pieces courtesy of a different fabric; a fusion between hot pants and the leather fashion trend could work wonders, though we're also partial to a fusion with knits.

*Night time hot pants allow for a whole new level of detailing, such as sequins and studs (though these aren't precluded from day light hours).

*Avoid the 'I forgot my pants' look that became the staple of stockings and leggings instead of pants in 2009; it's now all too common, and generally frowned upon. To do so, either choose a bold pattern (as suggested above) or accessorise. You might add a belt around your waist or hips to balance out your interpretation of the trend.

*In wearing hot pants you're showing a lot of skin, so consider pairing them other articles of clothing that tone them down. A loose cut top, such as a billowy blouse or a boyfriend blazer, might be the perfect match.

*Day time is the perfect time to fuse hot pants with the 2010 sports-wear fashion trend.

*Finally, akin to the bare midriff fashion trend I have to honestly caution you: you have to have the body for 2010's hot pants. With a negative-hemline, wearing them means showing off your bum. Fantastic if you've got a great bum, but prone to derision if you're don't.