Street style snaps from Paris Fashion Week are a way to predict the future: Whatever editors, influencers and off-duty models are seen wearing in the streets, that’s what we’ll all want to be wearing in a few months. That’s how I came upon the surprising trend of trouser shorts, which were dressed up, down and all around outside Miu Miu and other designer showings in both classic and edgy styling. So I immediately researched trouser shorts available to shop now, and experimented with styling them. Here’s my rundown of the best-looking and most wearable trouser shorts from brands like Aritzia, Reformation and Jenni Kayne.
Trouser Shorts Are the Paris Fashion Week-Approved Essential I’ll Be Wearing All Spring and Summer
Trouser shorts, you complete me
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Published Mar 19, 2024
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Getty Images: Daniel Zuchnik/Edward Berthelot/Claudio Lavenia
What Are Trouser Shorts?
Distinguished from athleisure and casual wear, think of trouser shorts as giving more ooh-la-la than outfield. They come in fabrics like silk, polyamide, linen and creative synthetics instead of the more casual cotton twill of summer shorts. Like full-length trousers, trouser shorts have zippers and front pleats, and they are generally a bit more wide-legged than they are form-fitting. These aren’t exactly the pleated shorts of the ‘80s, but instead an alternative to a sundress or short skirt that has similar hot-weather appeal, but can be styled with a blouse or blazer to look profesh. They range from relatively short versions (like this pair we bought on Amazon with a 3.5-inch inseam) that are great for petite wearers, to longer styles that provide more coverage (these 7-inch inseam beauties from Aritzia that swish a bit, like a skirt).
Dana Dickey
How I Styled Trouser Shorts
To pay tribute to any number of stylish French women, I went high-low by matching a pair of affordable shorts I scored on Amazon with a mariniere shirt, a designer belt and a cropped jacket from Quince. I paired Aritzia longish trouser shorts in off-white with an athletic jacket, a la guests attending the recent Miu Miu fashion show in Paris. And I wore the Jenni Kayne silk shorts—ah the swish when you walk—out to dinner with a silk shirt and heels. Later, I took a page from a recent K.Stew jacket-bra-shorts ensemble and wore Reformation Mason shorts with a knit jacket over a bikini top. And finally, inspired by the TikTok motif of dressing like a Ralph Lauren bear sweater, I paired Paige linen shorts with a button-front shirt and a trench coat.
TLDR: There are tons of ways to mix and match a pair of trouser shorts, starting with just swapping them out for a plain pair of trousers or basic skirt. Here are the pairs I love that are available now—but word to the wise, this trend is on fire so shop soon to get your pair before they sell out.
Top Trouser Shorts at a Glance
1
Best Lengths
Aritzia The Effortless Short - Long
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2
Best Machine Washable
Reformation Mason Short
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3
Best Linen
Paige Bistro Linen Blend Cuff Shorts
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4
Best High-Waist Shorts
Everlane Way Hi Tencel Drape Short
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5
Most Premium Fabric
Jenni Kayne Pleated Short
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Aritzia
- Material: 100 percent Japanese crepe polyester
- Length: 7-inch inseam
- Size range: 00 to 10
Forget the “jumbo shrimp” irony of the name of these long shorts, which in a previous lifetime you would have called Bermudas. These have wide legs and are made of fabric that feels expensive and is machine washable. Bonus: These don’t easily wrinkle, even after you’ve been wearing them for hours, and also come in mid-thigh and mini lengths. Want to make a strong style statement? Pair these with the matching Aritzia Little Cropped Jacket ($198).
- Material: 100 percent Tencel Lyocell
- Length: 3.5-inch inseam
- Size range: 0 to 12
Other than running a tad small, these shorts are just about perfect. The gentle gathered material in front, 27.25-inch leg width and heavy-enough-to-hang suiting fabric—that’s machine washable—all combine to make a pair of shorts that will be your warm-weather workhorse.
Best Linen
3. Paige Bistro Linen Blend Cuff Shorts
Paige
- Material: 58 percent linen, 42 percent rayon
- Length: 3-inch inseam
- Size range: 00 to 14
The belt loops on these lightweight linen-blend shorts are what really elevates the look. The back pockets are finished with button welts, and the front slanted pockets don’t add any bulk. And unlike lots of finer linen pieces, these shorts can be machine washed—just line dry and steam any wrinkles out.
Best High-Waist Shorts
4. Everlane Way Hi Tencel Drape Short
Everlane
- Material: 60 percent Tencell lyocell, 40 percent cotton
- Length: 5.5 inch inseam
- Size range: 00 to 16
This is a cropped version of Everlane’s Way-High Drape pant that we love for its 13 ¾-inch rise, which really lengths the appearance of your legs. Available in black and pink currently, we hope this will soon come in the seven colors of its full-length version.
- Material: 100 percent raw silk
- Length: 4-inch inseam
- Size range: 0 to 14
The shorts version of Jenni Kayne’s bestselling Relaxed Trouser, these shorts carry a premium price tag, but the seriously sexy way the silk feels on your legs makes it well worth it. Elegantly tailored with soft front pleats that descend from a clean-lined, medium-width waistband, these shorts are just asking to be paired with black kitten heels and a silk shirt, preferably for the short stroll from your suite to the dining room. Alas, these are dry-clean only, but that’s a small inconvenience to keep the fabric’s luxe look and feel.
- Material: 100 percent polyester
- Length: 3.5-inch inseam
- Size range: S to XXL
At this can’t-beat-it price point, these shorts are a great starter pair that don’t pinch, pull or hang unflatteringly. The fabric is lightweight, which is good for hot weather but can look a bit thin in the lighter shades—stick with the black and dark khaki for the most opaque look. And sadly, you can’t just throw these in the wash, but swish them out in the sink and hang to dry and you’re golden.
- Material: 100 percent polyurethane
- Length: 4-inch inseam
- Size range: 0 to 14
The look of leather without the upkeep hassle, these front-pleat baggy leather shorts exude international woman of mystery. Pair them with a cotton T-shirt and sandals for boutique shopping or a silky cami for a night out, then just pop these babies in the wash and lay them flat to dry.
