Out on a sartorial limb

I'm going to make a fashion prediction. Not based on the runways. Not based on what's new in the stores for spring. Based on me and my un-erring sense of the hip and the hot (stop laughing). The hot new trend for summer - cutoffs. I will bet you dollars to donuts that you will see cutoff shorts out and about this summer. The fashionazis will be appalled.

Because we all know the real truth. The fashionazis only like things that can be bought in a store. And the best cutoffs are the ones you make yourself. It gets a second life out of the jeans that got ripped, stained, twisted or too short. Talk about recession proofing your wardrobe. Plus, if everybody's hanging out at home all summer, because we don't have any money to go anywhere, who cares if you've got on D&G, or DYI. If you save money on a new wardrobe, you'll have more cash to spend on an awesome barbecue for your friends.

If you've got the bod for it, you can do the shorty-shorts. Or, if you need more coverage around the old backyard, you can go for the Baby from Dirty Dancing look, rolled just above the knee (Thank you, Erin Grey). Want more options? You can whack off a pair of clam diggers or some kicky bermudas. And they don't have to be jeans. Anything in cotton twill will work. Khakis? Hello! Awesome.

And don't let some snotty TV stylist fool you by telling you that to "get the look" you need some pair of $400 custom aged cutoff shorts from Italy. Posers. This is cool that you can't buy. All you need is a pair of scissors, a ruler and a washing machine. Get busy now. Hack the legs off of something and throw them in a washer now to get started on a nice frayed fringe for the first day of summer. Or if you're like me, dig out that pair that you've secretly hidden away (or possibly 2 or 3 pairs). Pair them with an awesome beach t-shirt, a preppy polo, or, if you have real brass ones, an aloha shirt. Drink rum drinks. Listen to some reggae. Summer is coming. You've got on a pair of cutoffs and you look hot. Life's good.