Are Shorts The New Mini Skirt?

What: Black shorts worn with tights

Who: Lately I have seen this on celebrities I would normally consider fashion forward: black shorts with black tights. Sienna Miller, the ultimate trend setter, was the first to sport barely-there briefs with black tights at the premiere of Factory Girl in December of 2006. But recently this trend has popped up again on the likes of Kate Bosworth (at the Fendi fete in China) and Gwen Stefani (at the Waverly Inn in New York City).

I really don’t know where to go with this. Part of me feels it is a great alternative to a skirt, both practically and aesthetically speaking. Yet every time I see this look, it reminds me of a tap dancer from a fourth grade dance recital.  Or even worse, the little bee girl from that Blind Melon video.

I suppose it all boils down to the proper footwear. If you go the wrong way, you might look like you belong on 42nd Street–either the street corner or the musical, depending on which shoes you choose. The only time I have really seen this pulled off correctly is with a classic black pump, or a gunmetal grey heel. But even then, you could still look like you A Chorus Line wannabe.

Maybe I am just not in the loop when it comes to broadening my derriere-covering horizons. What do you think?