Over the past few seasons, there’s been a procession of trends that all adhere to the singular opinion that underwear can be worn as outerwear. From the rise in flirty negligees that were once mutually exclusive with boudoir settings to Bottega Veneta petitioning for tights to be regarded as trousers in their own right, there’s never been a better time to get undressed. Compounding this belief further is the rise of balloon shorts this summer.
For the uninitiated, a balloon short is a hybrid between the bubble skirt silhouette, a saccharine and ‘80s-inspired style pioneered by the likes of Miu Miu and Chopova Lowena, and the bohemian and ‘60s-esque balloon trousers spotted at Chloé to Alaïa. Serving as the mini equivalent to the bloomers that have slowly become a fixture in some of the most covetable wardrobes—Alexa Chung! Camille Rowe! Zoë Kravitz!—this trend offers a playful and incredibly comfortable approach to wearing cropped hemlines this summer. (If not one that is a little inflated, too.)
Though naysayers will have you claiming that you look like you’re wearing adult diapers, those with a refined and more open sensibility will actually be acutely aware of how chic balloon shorts actually are. With a fluid shape and playful elegance, the puffed-up aesthetic is swiftly cropping up in the collection of dreamy and romantic brands that encapsulate our desire for graceful and flirty summer staples.
At Posse, they’re being rendered in ditsy floral prints that are reminiscent of the wallpaper found in a 17th-century French chateau. At Dôen, they’re taking a more tailored stance, made with an organic cotton fabric that feels both stiff and soft. At Longchamp, they’re found in picturesque check prints that feel reminiscent of a bucolic and grand English country manor. At Prada, they feel more edgy and subversive, underscored with an irony and humour that hints at the fact you’re wearing something that could easily double as knickers. (The perfect thing to wear while listening to Charli XCX’s newest single “Wink Wink”, in our humble opinion.)
Of course, to those still dubious about the trend, you can always take a more practical approach and pair them under a sweet babydoll dress. And to those sceptics who claim balloon trousers are too girlish or difficult to style, we ask what their aversion is to wearing something that makes them feel like they’re living out their Sofia-Coppola-meets-Marie-Antoinette fantasy by running around in chantilly lace and sorbet hues? Nostalgic and charming, shop the best balloon shorts below.
Shop the Balloon Short Trend:
The inimitable original.
How charming is the lace trim along the hem?
This style has a featherweight feel, courtesy of the airy, silk taffeta-inspired fabric.
Seersucker stripes are always relevant during scorching temperatures.
Relaxed and sophisticated, these broderie anglaise shorts will become your go-to.
Made for coastal and city settings alike.
This print is heavenly.
Gingham checks continue to reign supreme this year.
For those who are seeking a more Prada-esque fit, this Zara pair delivers a more tailored style.