I Tried on Every Single Abercrombie & Fitch Denim Short, and Here Are My Honest Opinions

The Loose shorts are definitely in my top three favorites from A&F. The high rise is incredibly flattering and comfortable, even while sitting, and the fit the legs was fantastic. It hit that sweet spot between a true wide leg (more akin to the A-line below) and a fitted silhouette (like the Dad or Mom styles), giving my thighs plenty of room without ever appearing baggy. My pair arrived with the hems folded up and I do feel that’s the better way to wear these. Folded down they were a smidge long for my liking, and would almost definitely read more like a Bermuda short on petite frames.

On a quick jaunt to the grocery store I found the Loose shorts very comfortable to walk in—they didn’t ride up or bunch, nor did my thighs feel constricted by the denim—and the roomier leg provided a bit of extra breathability, though they’re ironically not the loosest or airiest pair in the bunch.

I’d recommend these for anyone looking for a slightly longer short, with the added versatility of easily rolling up the hems, with some extra room in the leg but isn’t overly baggy, and that will define your waist with a high-rise fit.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 78 percent cotton, 22 percent lyocell
• Inseam Length: 6 inches
• Rise: 10.5 inches

My size actually wasn’t available at the time of ordering the Dad shorts, so I rounded down one. While they definitely still zipped and buttoned fairly comfortably, I would have preferred to stick with my usual size, especially as this style has a more fitted silhouette than the Loose shorts. They also have just 1 percent elastane in the fabrication, meaning they’re not likely to stretch very much even with repeated wears, so keep that in mind when deciding what size to get.

The length is truly perfection, offering ample coverage to prevent chafing and hitting an incredibly flattering point on the leg. Although these were technically one size smaller than I usually wear, they were still comfortable to sit in without too much riding up. Same goes for walking around town, although I will note that the leg fits pretty close to the thigh, meaning this style isn’t as breathable as some others on this list.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
• Inseam Length: 5 inches
• Rise: 10.5 inches

These were by far the shortest shorts of the bunch, giving Daisy Duke vibes while still managing to actually cover my rear. And I was shocked at how roomy the pockets are, despite that shorter inseam. The Mom shorts definitely rode up a bit while sitting, so while my usual size did fit well enough, I might have preferred to go up one for a little extra room in the waist and crotch. And if I planned to be out for a full day of fun, I would likely want to stick an anti-chafe stick in my bag, just in case. Walking to the public library and back (roughly five blocks), I was totally fine, but after multiple hours out in the humidity I’m not entirely sure.

But while these were not the most comfortable shorts to sit in for an extended period of time, the legs are a fabulous fit—not so snug as to dig in when sitting, but not so loose as to feel like a peepshow just waiting to happen. Short-shorts may not be my favorite, but as far as different designs go, the Abercrombie Mom shorts are definitely some of the best I’ve ever worn. And with nearly 1,700 5-star reviews, I feel very confident recommending these to folks who do love a good Daisy Duke moment.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
• Inseam Length: 2.5 inches
• Rise: 10.5 inches

Halfway between the Mom shorts and the Dad shorts you’ll find the ‘90s Cutoffs. And they truly are a Goldilocks design, in my opinion. The hem is still short enough to feel sexy and fun, but offers 1.25 inches more coverage than the Mom style, meaning I feel much more confident heading out the door without my anti-chafe balm. They’re also more comfortable to sit in for longer periods of time (though not quite as comfy as the Dad short), with more breathability in the leg than either the Mom or Dad silhouettes.

The ’90s Cutoffs fit true to size, but if you wanted a bit of extra wiggle room I’d go up one size from your usual. With just 1 percent elastane in the fabrication, they’re unlikely to stretch that much over time. So if you’re not totally in love with the way these shorts feel while sitting or walking the first time you wear them, just know they’re not likely to change much over time.

I’d recommend these to anyone on the hunt for shorts with that classic denim cut-off look, just with a bit more coverage down the leg.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
• Inseam Length: 3.25 inches
• Rise: 10.5 inches

While the Dad shorts fit fairly close to the leg, the A-Line design is far roomier, allowing for better air-flow throughout. And the mid rise helps balance out the flared leg to keep everything proportional. I personally found the mid rise to be more comfortable than the high rises, while still offering plenty of waist definition. The shape of the A-Line leg maintains its shape really well thanks to the fabrication, which has just 1 percent elastane. That said, it’s not comically flared, so you won’t feel like a cartoon character as you stroll about town.

The 4-inch inseam gave me all the confidence in the world that these shorts would not allow for chafing, and I was 100 percent correct. And while I worried that the extra fabric in the leg might make these ride up while walking, on that front I was proven entirely wrong. My A-Line shorts errand-run involved walking eight blocks (entirely uphill) and back to my favorite coffee spot and not once did I feel I needed to tug at or adjust them. If you want a pair of easy, classic denim shorts with ample breathability, the A-Line is the one for you.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
• Inseam Length: 4 inches
• Rise: 9.5 inches

They may be controversial (especially for my fellow millennials) but low-rise bottoms have become a favorite of mine in recent months. And few brands do it better than A&F, whose low-rise options are nowhere near as scandalous as those from the early aughts. In fact, at 8.25 inches, I’d say they fit more like an old-school mid rise. Either way, these shorts were definitely one of my top three favorites, and perhaps the most comfortable pair of the entire bunch. The legs didn’t ride up as I walked and had ample room for my thighs (though not quite as much as the A-Line shorts), and the length was just long enough to avoid chafing without looking disproportionately long.

Like most other styles, these fit true to size, however if you’re between two I’d actually recommend going with the smaller—there’s a fairly large amount of Lyocell in the fabric, the waistband is more likely to stretch with each wear than it would for, say, 100 percent cotton.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 78 percent cotton, 22 percent Lyocell
• Inseam Length: 4 inches
• Rise: 8.25 inches

These were the Abercrombie shorts that made me feel the most like a fashion girly. The long hem, mid rise and wide-leg silhouette really make a statement, in a way that not everyone will love. But I was absolutely one board from the moment I pulled these on. For starters, the loose fit and lower rise made these one of the most comfortable of all the A&F shorts on this list. And the wide silhouette strikes a great balance between slouchy and structured, maintain the shape incredibly well without feeling too rigid.

At the time of publish, there are three washes being offered without the drawstring (and three with it), but I feel that tie waist really takes these shorts from just fun to truly fashionable. And, yes, it does actually adjust the fit of the waistband. While the hem is pretty long—rarely an issue for tall folks like me, but very often a concern for petite gals—there are multiple reviews from petites and people with shorter legs saying the Jorts are actually super flattering for them as well.

Will these Jorts still be as hot a commodity next summer? It’s tough to say. But they are right on trend for 2025, and that extra-long hem makes them much easier to style with boots and a blazer come fall. So if you’re hoping to experiment and maybe take some risks with your denim short options, I highly recommend stocking up.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 23 to 37, Curve and Classic
• Materials: 78 percent cotton, 22 percent lyocell
• Inseam Length: 9.25 inches
• Rise: 9.5 inches