I Tried Every Pair of Denim Shorts That Have Gone Viral This Summer—These 8 Were My Favourites

Denim is a fixture in any well-edited wardrobe. However, one category that feels sorely underrated in the canon of covetable jeans and miniskirts is a pair of denim shorts. Imbued with the understated effortlessness of summertime dressing, they're inherently relaxed and easy to style. Indeed, denim shorts are a blank canvas to be styled in a multitude of ways. Better still, they boast the same qualities we all adore about jeans: hard-working, endlessly versatile and unfussily chic, but without suffocating your legs in stiff fabric during a scorching heatwave.

Whilst some remain loyal to their jeans all year round, the best denim shorts prove to be an ideal substitute for your favourite pair of baby blues or stiff indigo. This summer, especially, there are countless variations of denim shorts to choose from and covet.

Leading the charge are the elongated Bermuda-esque styles that fall just above the knee. Commonly referred to as jorts, the baggy shape has quickly become the default denim-shorts style after years of itty-bitty hemlines that fall just below the bum. Short-shorts still possess cultural cachet though, especially when they’re a preferred silhouette for those seeking something a little more sensual and skin-baring to see them through the season’s endless heatwaves.

But, as anyone who lives in denim knows, not every pair of shorts is made equally. Length and cut aside, there’s a very big difference between styles that look exceptional on the body and feel incredibly comfortable to move around in. And yes, comfort is a firm prerequisite for a piece whose appeal hinges a lot on its durability and ease.

So, how does one determine the best denim shorts without going through the rigmarole of buying several pairs and testing them for a few weeks to see which ones hold up? Thankfully, we’ve already done this hard work for you. Here, Who What Wear UK shares our comprehensive edit of the best denim shorts for women on the market right now. From long hems that pair perfectly with a simple tank top and leather sandals to cropped styles rendered in vintage washes that are demanding to be worn with a pretty blouse, scroll on to see and shop the best denim shorts to invest in this summer.

The 9 Best Denim Shorts for Women, as Tested by a Fashion Editor

• Best Overall Pair of Denim Shorts for Women: Sézane Le Summer Shorts, £100
• Best High-Street Pair of Denim Shorts: COS High-Rise Denim Shorts, £55
• Best Designer Pair of Denim Shorts: Citizens of Humanity Court Denim Straight-Leg Shorts, £260
• Best High-Waisted Pair of Denim Shorts: Dala Denim Baker Short, £168
• Best Low-Rise Pair of Denim Shorts: & Other Stories Low-Waist Denim Mini Shorts, £57
• Best Knee-Length Pair of Denim Shorts: Agolde Nolan Denim Bermuda Shorts, £265

1. Sézane Le Summer Shorts

Style Notes: Shopping at Sézane is like stepping inside a portal that transports you right to the arrondissements of Paris. You’ll always leave feeling slightly more chic, polished, and, perhaps, like the protagonist of some sumptuous French New Wave film. That’s exactly how wearing the Le Summer shorts made me feel.

Slipping into the raw-hem style, which I picked out in this rich blue shade that rivals the hue of the Mediterranean at midday, I instantly felt like I was an extra in La Piscine, the steamy aquatic psychological thriller set in a stunning Saint-Tropez villa. With a trip to Marseille on the horizon, this is the exact style I can imagine wearing for a long, blissful lunch at Tuba Club alongside a stunning Dôen peasant blouse and A.Emery flip-flops. Though they were slightly a little tighter around my thigh than pictured online, they made up for it in softness, as the fabric feels incredibly supple to the touch. Jane Birkin, eat your heart out.

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2. Citizens of Humanity Court Denim Straight-Leg Shorts

Style Notes: As someone who has spent considerable time in Los Angeles over the years, I know that the locals wear denim in a way that feels exceptionally desirable. Blame it on the fact that it’s a crucial part of the off-duty wardrobes of the endless creative types who live there, but the fabric is the closest thing to a uniform you could get. That’s why brands hailing from this part of the globe pique my interest. They instantly understand the casual-meets-considered edge that denim can bring, and this pair of denim shorts from Citizens of Humanity certainly delivers on all fronts.

Hitting just above the knee, they bring a refined polish to laid-back dressing, reminiscent of something you’d find in Wasteland, a legendary vintage boutique on Melrose Avenue, or on one of the many stylish frequenters of Community Goods, the West Hollywood haunt regularly visited by Hailey Bieber. To style these shorts like a true native, I’d team them with leather fisherman sandals and a fresh white T-shirt from Leset.

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3. Agolde Indra Frayed Denim Shorts

Style Notes: Another brand that calls L.A. home, Agolde has swiftly become one of the leading prestige denim labels, thanks to how it marries vintage shapes with modern fabrics and environmentally considered manufacturing practices. As someone who has penned many essays on how beloved Agolde’s jeans are, it should come as no surprise that its denim shorts are just as sought after. I truly mean this as a compliment when I say that style feels like someone has just taken a pair of scissors to the iconic Harper style, which is a straight-leg cut made from the smoothest, most relaxed denim.

Long and loose, this style has already become the hardest-working pair of denim shorts in my wardrobe. With a fluid shape and resilient material, I throw these on when I want to look more put-together running errands, whether nipping to the shops or spending several hours trawling through my favourite stores. My only caveat is that spending over £200 on a pair of denim shorts that I’ll mostly wear for my more dressed-down outings is a considerable investment. Still, factoring in that my lifestyle is more laid-back anyway, I do find myself gravitating towards these compared to my sleek pencil skirts and towering heels, so the cost per wear is relatively low.

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4. Dala Baker Shorts

Style Notes: Closer to home, the most refined dressers in London are all wearing denim by Dala, a design studio that produces 100% organic-cotton styles, all ethically manufactured in Paraguay. Cool and contemporary, the style I’ve tried here is part of its new collection, which is built around the concept that denim is a core part of a considered uniform. After wearing them on repeat, I couldn’t concur with this sentiment more. The style itself has a '90s sensibility, with clean lines, grungy accents and a true vintage wash.

As the brand says, the singular wash is "the perfect lived-in blue, softly faded with time, years of wear and sun-bleached memories". The shorts have a tailored finish that elevates anything they're paired with. In this case, I’m wearing it with my favourite three-quarter-sleeve top from Cou Cou Intimates, which is like catnip for cool girls this summer, and jelly flip-flops from Ancient Greek Sandals. Truly, the best thing about this pair is how simple and effective it is. When thinking about the precise fit, this style really shines as an anything-but-boring basic that I honestly love wearing. Who knows; I might even embrace my inner Chloë Sevigny or Courtney Love come autumn and pair these with gathered loafers and a checked shirt.

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5. H&M Denim Shorts

Style Notes: H&M is a high-street giant that balances trend-forward pieces with timeless basics. This pair certainly falls into the latter category, given the fact that it’s a mid-rise shape that doesn’t feel either super short or super long. What’s most striking about this style is the price point. With an exceptional fabric composition of 99% cotton and 1% elastane, this pair is proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune on something for it to be really well-made. If this heatwave is making you desperate for a pair of shorts that can last you through the rest of the season without breaking the bank, this is the pair I’d recommend. Costing less than an average meal in London, these will make the most of the scorching temperatures we’re currently experiencing.

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6. COS High-Rise Denim Shorts

Style Notes: Summer in the city is all about balancing refined tailoring, classic shirting and trend-forward accessories, be it a pair of suede sandals or adding a chic pendant necklace to your ensemble. This COS pair serves as the perfect starting point for building an outfit around these archetypes. Sitting high on the waist, they add length to your frame with a longline effect and a knee-grazing hemline. Few styles of denim shorts can make you look like you’re Carolyn Bessette Kennedy exiting the Calvin Klein offices in Manhattan during the early days of her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr, but with an elegantly undone shape and soft fabric, you’ll instantly feel like the patron saint of minimalism in all her glory. Pair with a fluid button-down from With Nothing Underneath and mesh ballet flats from Dear Frances for the ultimate girl-on-the-go look.

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7. Agolde Nolan Denim Bermuda Shorts

Style Notes: Nothing signals summer’s arrival quite like the appearance of white shorts. This style from Agolde, aptly dubbed a "milkshake" colourway, bridges the modern polish and structure of everyone’s go-to Bermuda shorts into a generously cut denim style. Casually slung on the hips, they slightly protrude out around the hem, creating a somewhat A-line silhouette that will appeal to those seeking a more carefree silhouette. To me, these are the perfect escape shorts, which is a style that refers to those items of clothing that instantly conjure that holiday feeling. With a crisp colourway and unfussy length, I can easily see myself wearing them whilst strolling around Palma or Capri.

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8. & Other Stories Low-Waist Denim Mini Shorts

Style Notes: For a slightly cheekier look, I can’t go past this pair from & Other Stories. Sure, leading menswear trend-setters like Paul Mescal and Harry Styles have pioneered the rise of minuscule inseams, but it’s not a design element that has translated into womenswear just yet. (Instead, bubble shorts and bloomers reign supreme.) But for those who want their denim shorts to have a more Daisy Duke-like quality, these low-rise, ultra-cropped minis will do the trick.

The whiskered wash has a slight indie-sleaze quality, making them the perfect thing to pair with boots and a strappy white tank top on all your nights out. These certainly aren’t the style of shorts you want to wear into the office. (You’ll certainly risk a dress code violation with that move.) But with summer here, isn’t there something so fun and flirty about strolling about in a pair of denim shorts exclusively reserved for weekend frolicing?

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What to Look Out for When Buying the Best Denim Shorts

Speaking to Rosie Ingleby, the London-based creative director and co-founder of Dala, she explains there are several things to look out for when shopping for the best pair of denim shorts. She mentions that factors like length, fabric and wash are important, but in a world so fixated on vintage jeans and nostalgia, one of the primary concerns should be that your denim shorts feel authentic to you. "This is such an important thing for me," Ingleby says. Otherwise, read our cheat sheet to finding the perfect pair of denim shorts below.

• Size: Denim uses its own measurement scale. As a quick guide, the number listed, which is usually from size 23 -32, refers to the width of the jeans in inches, as measured around the hips. As a result, there's no real equivalent for translating between these sizes and the small, medium and large we're used to. That's why, especially when shopping online, it's best to carefully consider the size guide listed on the website. Your typical size might go across a few options, so be sure to read the fine print closely and see if they tend to size up or down. Remember, denim rarely offers any stretch, so it's always best to opt for a bigger size if you're unsure. Denim is much easier to shrink than it is to stretch.
• Length: When shorts can fall anywhere from the upper thigh to just above the knee, you'll want to look for the inseam details to guarantee the item you're buying hits exactly where you intend it to. For the uninitiated, the inseam refers to the measurement from the crotch to the hem, so you should know for certain where on your leg they'll stop before you buy. If you're looking to invest in a pair for this summer, Ingleby tells me that "longer silhouettes" are rising in popularity, particularly "longer-line Bermuda lengths with a slightly higher rise."
• Wash: Wash is another factor. The most polished shades are the most vibrant, whether a deeper, indigo blue or a crisp white. However, I make this caveat to note that the dye of some denim shorts can transfer in the wash. If you want to preserve the quality and colour of your denim shorts and avoid them staining your other items of clothing, wash them inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle and preferably with a colour-catcher sheet.

How We Tested

Who What Wear UK's editorial team, led by fashion writer Ava Gilchrist, began testing the best denim shorts by looking at sales data and shopping insights for the best-selling and most talked-about styles on the market. Looking at leading denim brands like Agolde and Citizens of Humanity, the team tried on the styles that had the most buzz to inspect them for quality, durability, comfort and cost-effectiveness. Then, after weeks of reviewing the styles, we tightened the edit to include the top eight styles we loved and genuinely recommend, landing on these styles showcased here.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

Meet the Experts

Rosie Ingleby

Rosie Ingleby is the London-based Creative Director and co-founder of DALA. With a background rooted in denim expertise, she established the brand, alongside Holly Abdale, to create premium, rigid denim pieces that prioritise longevity, craftsmanship, and inclusive design. DALA’s work focuses on thoughtful cuts, high-quality materials, and sustainable production methods championed by their B-Corp factory partner in Paraguay.