The 25 Best Shorts for Women Over 30, According to a Stylist

In your 20s, when the weather was too hot to handle, it seemed like no big deal to toss on a pair of denim shorts and call it a day. Nowadays, shorts are suddenly the hardest piece of clothing to wear, let alone find. (Um, when did they get so short?) Fret not, because these pairs below just so happen to be the ideal combination of appropriate length and on-trend style—suitable for vacation or when you’d rather not alarm everyone at the grocery store.

Be let's be real: When you’re over 30, your choice of shorts probably aren't the same as they were when you were in your 20s. You may be focusing more on comfort, freedom to move and classic style than you did before, when any old pair would get the job done. That said, you still want them—and your bottom half—to look good. After testing quite a few pairs from some of our favorite brands, our editors have done it—we've found the best shorts for women over 30 that promise to do all of the above, and more.

Katie Schuppler is a personal style consultant and owner of KS Style Consulting in Chicago. She received her bachelors of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandise Management and Business Administration from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI, and has been named one of the city's best stylists by CBS Chicago.

For the trendiest look, consider denim and, more specifically, mid-thigh denim, suggests Schuppler. “The style right now is very ‘90s, so we are seeing higher-waisted shorts with a lot of distressing and stiffer fabric rather than stretchy fabrics we have gotten used to,” she says.

What should you avoid? Schuppler says for this age group, try to steer clear of the “very low-waisted styles of shorts” along with “short shorts that you may have worn in your late teens and early 20s.” Leave those styles for the TikTok generation.

So what classifies a “good” pair of shorts for women over 30 nowadays? First, keep in mind that shorter hems and dark washes will highlight your legs, so if that's not something you're looking to do, a lighter wash or a longer cut will be your BFF. No matter your body type, high-waisted shorts will flatter and hide problem areas. If you are set on shorter shorts, pair them with a looser-fitting, flowing linen blouse or oversized top so the look is complemented.

At the end of the day, the most important factor in finding the right shorts over 30 is to wear what works for you. Whether you have short or long legs, you’re skinnier or heavier, in the end, what’s most important is that you wear what makes you feel beautiful and confident—a truly ageless concept.

We tried to include as many different options as possible with various sizes, including plus-sized options, and designs to suit various body types, keeping Schuppler's recommendations top of mind. We then looked at customer reviews to find the best of the best. In some cases, we used our own personal experience, including a few of our favorite shorts to wear for everything from working out to relaxing at home.

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