Liberate your legs and make a serious style statement in shorts this summer. These are the women’s shorts styles that you need to know, from floaty printed culotte shorts to denim hot-pants.
Women's Denim shorts
Where would we be without this easy-to-style summer essential? Denim shorts come in all shapes and sizes and there’s a pair to suit every destination and every derriere.
Low-rise, mid-rise or high waisted, the cut will affect the overall shape of your shorts. Added touches like floral embroidery, lace or crochet hems and distressing add individual flare.
Cut-off denim shorts
Ever wanted to wash a car like Jessica Simpson in her Daisy Dukes? Fun and flirty denim short shorts aka hot-pants or cut-offs are back for another season and are guaranteed to turn heads.
Mid-length denim shorts & boyfriend-style denim shorts
Mid-length denim shorts are a more forgiving option if you don’t feel like flashing your bum-cheeks but still want to get your pins out.
Slightly slouchy boyfriend style shorts are on trend in distressed denim. Style boyfriend denim shorts with sliders and a tank top for an easy-going look.
Over the knee denim shorts
Not quite shorts and not quite jeans, slim-fit over the knee shorts are sublime paired with wedge sandals and a camisole for smouldering nights.
Work the look on long summer evenings when above the knee shorts might leave you chilly in the early hours.
women's Chino shorts
Classic chino shorts in white, stone or navy are easy to style and a tad more sophisticated than denim shorts.
Wear them with a summer blazer and block heel strappy sandals or play with camel chino shorts and animal prints to create safari-inspired looks.
women's Smart tailored shorts
Tailored shorts in linen or cotton are a smart, sophisticated option – a versatile piece, they’re equally at home worn with a shirt and blazer for office drinks or with a pair of strappy stilettos on a night out.
High-waisted tailored navy shorts with a contrasting tan waist belt are figure flattering and will create an hourglass silhouette when worn with a tucked-in top.
A-line mid-rise shorts are another way to smarten up in shorts, try dusky pinks and powdery sage in summer. Pinstripes and chunky vertical stripes look good on smart shorts too.
Try finding a pair with a matching blazer for a polished summer office outfit.
women's Culotte shorts
Pleated culotte shorts are a playful look if you can’t decide between a skirt and shorts. They’re also one of the hot trends to watch this season due to the wide leg revival!
women's Jersey shorts
Look for jersey shorts in printed fabrics – Aztec prints, paisley and patchwork are fab for festivals or keep it classic in ladylike florals.
If you opt for one-colour jersey shorts, bright embroidery or pom poms add some fun.
Tassel hems, scalloped hems and lace hems are on trend and offer another way to add interest.
women's Sporty shorts
These are where your running shorts and comfy sweat-pant style jogger shorts fit in. Block colours and drawstring ties with contrasting binding create sporty looks.
adidasOriginals and Nike have a good selection or unbranded jogger shorts are cheap and cheerful.
Team your jogger shorts with a lightweight jacket, metallic print t-shirt and baseball cap for athleisure luxe.
women's Cargo shorts
Keep your cargo shorts reserved for action girl moments. Plenty of pockets, baggy knee length styles, camouflage colours and hard-wearing fabrics make them ideal for jungle trek, but not the most flattering shape.
There’s no need to wear these babies out in the city unless you’re working the military trend in a big way.
