Spring into summer with simple shorts

MILAN (AP):

Giorgio Armani's Emporio menswear collection was elegant, classy and focused on a single theme: a simple pair of summer shorts. For his second-line summer 2013 collection, which was presented recently, Armani paired cuffed shorts with single- or double-breasted jackets to create a spiffy warm-weather blazer-and-pants effect. At times, the designer added a white shirt and tie - complete with tie pin - for extra sophistication.

Armani also paired his shorts with lightweight trench coats, soft leather jackets and see-through pullovers. He used new technical procedures to turn classic tweeds into super-light summer look-alikes. Colours belonged to the traditional Armani palette: gray, beige, brown and blue, with military green being a new entry.

Footwear came in extra sturdy leather running shoes, which doubled for classic lace-ups. Big bags were carried by hand with a shoulder strap option. Armani also offered a small iPad carrier, a very popular item this round.

At the end of the show, Armani sent out a parade of male and female models dressed in swimsuits, with a huge photo of the Olympic circles in the runway's backdrop.

Armani is the official designer of the Italian team's uniforms for the London Olympics, which begins July 27.