The Surprisingly Elegant Short Shorts We Just Spotted in Cannes

Short shorts get a bad rep, probably because when we think of them, the first two styles that come to mind are hot pants and denim cutoffs, neither of which are approachable or all that sophisticated. Fun (in the case of hot pants)? Sure. Convenient (in the case of cutoffs)? Also true. But polished? Let's just say I wouldn't put them at the top of that list. But not all short shorts are created equal, and there is (at least) one silhouette that opposes all the negative connotations people have with the bottoms category. Perhaps you guessed it, but if not, I am referring to drawstring shorts, particularly those made of linen and poplin. And this just in: The surprisingly chic short shorts are officially Cannes Film Festival approved.

Daisy Edgar-Jones arrives in Cannes wearing an all-white Gucci outfit, including an embroidered white poplin blouse and matching drawstring short shorts.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Daisy Edgar-Jones: Gucci Cotton Poplin Shirt With Embroidery ($2250), Cotton Poplin Shorts Wth Embroidery ($1700), and bag

Cannes street and red carpet style have taken over our feeds over the last week as the biggest names in fashion and film have taken over the French Riviera for the always-chic festival. Dakota Johnson is there, as is Pedro Pascal. Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman have been Dior-ing it up, whereas Bella Hadid's been sticking mostly with Saint Laurent, both new and vintage. Another impressive fashion festivalgoer? Daisy Edgar-Jones, who was spotted on her arrival date wearing a Gucci poplin set that included the aforementioned luxurious short-shorts trend.

Specifically, the On Swift Horses star chose to rewear the embroidered white cotton shirt and matching drawstring shorts that she wore in Gucci's Lido campaign that debuted earlier this month. With the breezy, elevated set, she added strappy white heeled sandals, a straw top-handle Gucci bag, and sunglasses.

Simple and easy, as well as chic and expensive-looking, Edgar-Jones's choice of short shorts checks all the boxes other itty-bitty bottoms don't. Take her lead and shop the shorts trend below.

Shop Edgar-Jones's exact look from Cannes:

How stylish women in New York are wearing drawstring shorts:

@shayinjune wearing a white blouse, white drawstring shorts, and a burgundy leather bag.

(Image credit: @shayinjune)

Shay went the same styling route as Edgar-Jones, opting for a floaty white blouse to pair with her drawstring white shorts. To finish off the look, she added a touch of high-brow color in the form of a burgundy mini tote.

Courtney Grow wearing a red technical jacket with white drawstring shorts, and the Row mesh flats.

(Image credit: @courtneygrow)

Courtney Grow leaned on color even more, styling her white drawstring shorts with a sporty red anorak jacket and everyone's favorite mesh sock flats by The Row.

And our favorite $69 alternative:

Shop more drawstring shorts:

Senior Fashion Editor

Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.