As temperatures creep up, London’s style-savvy set starts showcasing more skin.
Baby tees, mini slips and cami tops saturate the city’s fashion hotspots, from Portobello Road to Brick Lane via Victoria Park.
You may have noticed an influx of shorts-sporting cosmopolitans who are particularly keen for summer to set in. Your eyes don’t deceive you. Shorts are a hot topic of conversation for summer, promising both fashion and function wrapped up in one thigh-skimming silhouette.
Typically not considered appropriate for the office, shorts are primarily worn for out-of-office occasions only. Weekends call for on-trend denim designs, while festivals encourage kaleidoscopic crochet.
According to Pinterest, searches for ‘gingham shorts’ have rocked by 770 per cent since last year, positioning the picnic-themed designs front and centre of the trends cycle for summer 2024.
The checkered print has taken over from vintage-inspired jorts, a divisive cut beloved by It-girls such as Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid. eBay dubbed the slacks the definitive microtrend of 2023, with searches for ‘jorts’ on the platform soaring by a huge 1398 per cent.
Of course, shorts play a key role when packing for summer. Broderie anglaise, airy linen and our firm friend, crochet make for breezy coastal looks when paired with a bikini or simple T-shirt.
Brands such as Casablanca, Farm Rio and Alemais create tropical-themed pieces to celebrate the summer holiday season. Likewise, Cou Cou Intimates, Fruity Booty and Free People champion a mooch-worthy moodboard, with pointelle cotton, boyish boxer styles and knit taking centre stage.
From denim to cotton-poplin, baggy to bootilicious Daisy Dukes, there’s an endless supply of shorts to covet this season. Discover our top picks below.
Citizens of Humanity Ayla Shorts
They may sit on the pricier end of the scale, but Citizens of Humanity’s Ayla Shorts are worth every penny. A soft yet sturdy denim construction is cut into a boxy silhouette. Pair yours with brown cowboy boots for a chic androgynous aesthetic.
Buy now £290.00, Harvey Nichols
Fruity Booty Sandler Shorts
If Emily Ratajkowski owns a pair of Fruity Booty boxers, we should too. The brand’s Sandler Shorts come in a sweet strawberry pink hue and feature a charming boyish cut.
Buy now £45.00, Fruity Booty
Cou Cou Intimates Pointelle Shorts
Cou Cou Intimates is an underwear brand to have firmly on your lingerie radar. Feminine pointelle designs are married with classic neutral colourways to create durable intimates to stand the test of time, like the brand’s cute cotton shorts which are etched into our brains.
Buy now £58.00, Selfridges
Gucci Jumbo GG Denim-Jacquard Shorts
Slip into luxury with Gucci's statement shorts which are jacquard-woven with a jumbo version of the house GG motif. They are set to steal the spotlight, thanks to the high-waisted fit and sharp pleats that are both chic and preppy.
Buy now £770.00, Net-A-Porter
Bode Tumbler Cotton-Poplin Shorts
Nostalgic yet beautifully crafted, Bode's Tumbler shorts are the sweetest pick on the market. The baby pink pair are embroidered with tumbling rabbits along the hem, a motif inspired by mid-century pinafores. Pristinely cut from cotton-poplin, they adopt a boxer style promising maximum comfort.
Buy now £330.00, Net-A-Porter
Sister Jane Buck Flower Tailored Shorts
Gendlerless and primed for summer, Sister Janes’ Buck Flower Tailored Shorts are top of our wish list. Sixties-inspired florals are set against a dark blue denim construction, which is finished with front pleats, side pockets, and belt loops for a smart, tailored fit.
Buy now £69.00, Sister Jane
Mango Striped Knit Shorts
Hailing from the brand new Mango x Siedres collection, these crochet shorts are a rainbow of colour. A skinny fit is enhanced by a fine stretchy knit texture - perfect for beachside sojourns.
Buy now £35.99, Mango
Reformation Raye Mid Rise Denim Jorts
Available in ecru or classic Americana denim blue, Reformation’s Raye Mid Rise Denim Shorts are a versatile piece to add to your summer wardrobe. A longline fit is paired with a high-rise silhouette to sculpt the figure and radiate a cool-girl persona.
Buy now £148.00, Reformation
Sandro Wide Leg Cotton Shorts
If, like us, you’ve been flirting with the idea of purchasing a pair of boxer shorts this summer, we’d recommend you look to Sandro. The brand’s striped blue boxer shorts are made from crisp cotton and feature a whimsical lace trim for an added touch of femininity.
Buy now £83.40, Selfridges
Feeling For Lace Shorties
Available in a variety of gorgeous pastel tones, these lace bloomers are a definitive aspect of the coquette aesthetic. Though bloomers would’ve been traditionally worn as undergarments in the Regency period, modern aesthetics and sensibilities have seen them become a summertime favourite.
Buy now £44.00, Free People
