For a long time, I felt scared of shorts – and I don’t think I’m alone in my phobia. For a lot of us, the idea of them is as chilling as shopping for new swimwear or jeans.
A few years ago, something shifted and I realised that the key to finding the perfect pair of shorts is to look at the shape of trousers you love best as a starting point. I love high-waisted, wide-leg trousers, but perhaps you like a mid-rise straight-leg or a skinny. Look at the fabric of your favourite trousers too – are you a denim aficionado or a linen fan? If you want to experiment then great, but if – like me – shorts is a murky area, then this rule of thumb should bring you to a style that makes you feel comfortable.
When it comes to summer, usually it’s denim shorts that spring to mind – itsy bitsy cut-offs. There is a reason they have become an indelible part of the fashion landscape; they’re versatile, timeless and have a storied style history that unites 70s TV character Daisy Duke, punk poet Patti Smith and Kate Moss at Glastonbury. For decades, if you were a shorts-wearer, they were likely made out of denim and a little frayed at the edges. In the 2020s, they became even tinier, thanks to Miu Miu’s autumn/winter 2023 ‘no trousers’ look – a shorts-underwear hybrid worn by Emma Corrin, Kristen Stewart and Kendall Jenner. While this was a daring, irreverent aesthetic on the red-carpet, it wasn’t one that was overly practical for most women.
It comes as no surprise really that the summer’s buzziest shorts are longer. The fashion crowd are all now wearing denim versions that fall to the knee or just above – jorts. These have a more grown-up sensibility, and – depending on how formal your office is – can feasibly be worn to work, especially in a dark denim or a crisp tailored cotton. Cos, Agolde and Japanese denim brand Haikure are the fashion favourites. Tuck in a shirt and accessorise with a smart leather bag to keep the look professional, rather than beach-orientated. In terms of footwear, think about a loafer, boat shoe (like M&S’ sell-out style), or a chunky closed-toe sandal. For downtime milage and holidays, a denim jort with a slim-fitting white T-shirt, basket bag and shades is an easy sightseeing look.
Becky shorts, £205, Haikure
Outside of jorts, Bermuda shorts have reentered the fashion lexicon, a looser-fitting style that can be worn with sandals or heels. Dries Van Noten’s spring/summer 2025 show delivered style inspiration with a bermuda-shirt-slingback combination, but they’d look just as good on the beach with a pair of flip-flops. Boxer shorts and 90s track shorts with string vests are currently common sightings among East Londoners. Hush do a brown striped take on the boxer, which feel elevated and polished. They’re easy to pack and you’ll wear them a lot on holiday too.
Bermuda shorts with belt, £25.99, Zara
Speaking of which, if you’re looking for the perfect pair of vacation shorts, ideally there should be crossover between the style you wear at home – modern shopping is all about finding pieces that work extra hard for us wherever we are. That said, being somewhere warm and sunny is also an opportunity to be more playful, and embrace a different side of ourselves, and that’s where The White Lotus-inspired crochet, silk and vivid colours really come into their own. Look for light, breezy fabrics and billowing shapes that will counter the hot weather. In terms of denim, lighter, faded shades have a more sun-drenched vibe, and keep the silhouette loose. Holidays are where those playful thigh-grazing styles really shine, too.
The good thing about denim shorts is that they allow for maximum mobility – you can jump on a bike or frolic on a boat without them causing you much trouble. The style that eventually won me over were a pale blue, high-waisted pair from River Island that have enabled me to clamber over rocks to my favourite bay in Sicily, and to navigate the somewhat dicey roads on a scooter. Shorts could be a gateway to summer adventures, perhaps it’s worth giving them a try.
Lead image courtesy of Citizens of Humanity
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