Short order: The best shorts for women
Let your knees feel the breeze in these airy shorts, perfect for summertime styling
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
If you’re in the UK right now, you’ll doubtless be aware that it hasn’t exactly been shorts weather of late but, so the weatherman keeps promising, the heatwaves are on their way. And when they do finally arrive? Well, nobody wants to face their commute without some serious airflow. Thank goodness, then, for these chic shorts for women.
Once the reserve of precocious schoolboys and festival-goers, shorts have made their way back into our wardrobes in a big way, cropping up everywhere from the workplace to summer nuptials and beyond. According to styling service Stitch Fix, searches for shorts have increased by 256 per cent since April 2022, and the style set has been leading the way; Meghan Markle sported a pair of smart Bermuda shorts from Dior to lunch with Gloria Steinem, and Emma Watson has been spotted in her own pair of khaki cargos. So why shouldn’t you get in on the action?
From suave tailored styles to denim cutoffs and borrowed-from-the-boys boxers, these are the best shorts to buy this summer…
The best tailored shorts
Just a few years ago, the prospect of wearing shorts in the office would have been entirely unthinkable, but in a post-lockdown world where formal dress codes have been somewhat relaxed, a pair of smart, tailored shorts is much less likely to raise eyebrows around the coffee machine. For truly scorching days, Loulous Studio’s breezy linen shorts will keep you cool as you flit between meetings, as will Burberry’s pleated pair. Style them with a coordinating blazer and a crisp white T-shirt for an easy transition once the clock strikes 5pm.
Got a full calendar of garden parties and al fresco galas to attend this summer? A pair of cheerfully coloured shorts will do the trick. Chloé’s linen pair feature a head-turning cherry red hue and flattering knife-edge pleats, making them ideal for more glamorous occasions. Alternatively, wear Merelette’s wide-legged black pair with some vertiginous platform heels for sharp, party-ready style.
The best denim shorts
A good pair of denim shorts are an absolute summer essential, whether you’re headed to a music festival or a picnic in the park. Beloved by style starlets including Dua Lipa and Sienna Miller, Re/Done’s retro-inspired cutoffs are guaranteed to look great when paired with a graphic T-shirt and your best vegan trainers; or amp up the vintage rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic with a chic suede jacket and a pair of Chelsea boots. Alternatively, A.P.C.'s on-trend mid-rise indigo pair will do just as nicely when paired with your best bikini on holiday.
For an elevated take on the denim cutoffs and T-shirt trope, opt for a pair in black or white. Throw on your best white trainers with Cos' pair and you’re good to go. For a more subtle look that will still keep you cool, Claudie Pierlot’s high-rise denim shorts will certainly have you covered.
The best printed shorts
For a feminine touch, a pair of pretty printed shorts are a simple way of zhuzhing up your look, and, thankfully, there are options a-plenty from which to choose. Take, for instance, Zimmerman’s pair in a vibrant red and white floral print. They’re made from a breezy cotton-linen blend and pair perfectly with a simple white vest. Or if you’re after something a little more laidback, Sonia Rykiel's luxe twill pair, in a playful cherry print, make summer dressing seamless.
With their flattering high waist, Ulla Johnson's embroidered shorts, in the brand’s signature unexpected colour combinations, are ideal for days spent aboard your charter yacht, while La Double J’s pineapple-print silk shorts make for a brilliant beach day look.
The best boxer and track shorts
For a relaxed, off-duty look this summer, take style cues from West London It-girl Camille Charriere and plump for an airy pair of boxer shorts, worn with an oversized Oxford shirt. Etro's cotton shorts in an oversized blue check are ideal for a cool borrowed-from-the-boys vibe, while Tom Ford’s slightly sexier pair are trimmed with velvet for an added touch of luxury and, when worn under an oversized blazer, will look endlessly chic when you hit the bars.
If boxer shorts are a step too far for you, Frankie Shop's summery but subtle take on the style might be enough to persuade. Alternatively, a pair of thigh-skimming track shorts – inspired by 1970s running gear – make for a sporty alternative. Go full retro with Pucci’s playful terrycloth pair. Whether worn with your best bikini top, or a simple white tank, you’ll certainly look the part as you explore the cobblestoned streets of your seaside destination.
