Shorts Are the New Skirts—See the Proof and Shop My Favorite Pairs

Sorry, skirt lovers, but it’s true. Shorts are the new skirts, and your girl here can prove it. At first, I just thought that the abundance of cool shorts outfits on my feed was another quarantine thing. After all, skirts don’t make quite as much sense as a pair of stretchy bike shorts or breezy sweatshorts for doing anything from dialing into Zoom meetings to lying on the couch in between tasks. However, as we inch closer and closer to summer’s official arrival—June 20, for anyone who’s counting down the days—it’s become increasingly clear that this trend is neither short-lived nor confined to the home.

As someone who has been a longtime champion of shorts over skirts, I’m excited to both show you some of the "proof” I’ve gathered as well as help you shop out the five main categories fashion girls are wearing now. From athletic styles to tailored picks to classic denim (sometimes with a twist), I guarantee something for everyone but likely more than just one pair you’ll love below. To get started, just keep scrolling.

Athletic Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104913539-image

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104926292-image

(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104925469-image

(Image credit: @jen_wonders)

Tailored Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104914616-image

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104915646-image

(Image credit: @taniasarin)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104916419-image

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Bike Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104912119-image

(Image credit: @littleblackboots)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104923422-image

(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104924244-image

(Image credit: @aemiliafay)

Denim Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104920759-image

(Image credit: @shhtephs)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104921444-image

(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104922509-image

(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Sweatshorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104918518-image

(Image credit: @natashandlovu)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104917488-image

(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104919536-image

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Next: Trust me, buy this—at-home edition.

Senior Market Editor

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2020, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch 90 Day Fiancé.