This Summer, Everyone Everywhere Is Swapping Skirts for One of These Shorts Trends

One major shift we’re seeing this summer is a move away from skirts as fashion lovers opt for the cool comfort and practicality of shorts.

Whether they're tailored for a sleek, polished look or relaxed for that effortless, laid-back vibe, shorts are quickly becoming the season's must-have staple. From brunch dates to beach outings, they offer the versatility to elevate any outfit. Below, we've rounded up seven key shorts trends that are replacing skirts this summer. With these fresh picks, you won’t need to make major wardrobe changes—just add these shorts, and your entire 2025 summer look will feel brand-new.

Shop the 9 Shorts Trends of 2025

Bermuda Shorts

Style Notes: Loose, longline silhouettes are the best way to elevate your shorts while keeping them comfortable. Whether made from lightweight linen, cotton, or a polyester blend, the options for these forgiving silhouettes are extensive. To style them, choose a cropped sweater and ballet flats or a tube top with a blazer and strappy heels. They pair well with anything; our only advice is to balance them with a fitted top, as the shorts typically fit and appear baggy.

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Lace-Trim Shorts

Lace-trim shorts are one of the major trends for summer 2025, not only within the shorts category. They evolved from lace-trim skirts, which were very popular last fall. The look has gained popularity, especially thanks to the viral, sold-out pair from Dôen. Fortunately, brands like Reformation and J.Crew have embraced this trend, offering their own chic and versatile versions.

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Athletic Shorts

Lyst's Q2 2025 report, a quarterly ranking of the hottest brands and products in fashion, placed adidas's Adicolor Classics Sprinter Shorts third among products. These athletic shorts are a signature of the sportswear brand, but they also suggest that this style is currently trending. While some people wear them for workouts or sports, fashion people are styling them for various occasions like brunch and shopping, pairing them with ballet flats, mules, and flip-flops.

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Bloomer Shorts

Style Notes: Bloomer shorts—typically cinched at the waist and often trimmed with delicate ruffles or elastic at the thigh—have been commanding the attention of fashion people for several seasons, and their reign shows no signs of slowing. With their soft, romantic silhouette, they tap perfectly into the vintage-inspired femininity that resurfaces every summer. So, whether you're planning to frolic through the Hamptons or escape to the British countryside, consider bloomers your go-to piece for effortless charm this summer.

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Boxer Shorts

Style Notes: Regardless of your opinion on the boxer shorts trend, it’s making another splash this summer. Its laid-back, easygoing vibe fits seamlessly with the return of the cottagecore aesthetic, characterized by loose, comfort-focused styles and a connection to nature. So whether you're venturing to your family's cottage or enjoying a relaxed outdoor getaway, don your boxer shorts with a cardigan or crew-neck sweater, complemented by socks and loafers.

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Knit Shorts

Style Notes: While knit shorts are typically considered quite casual, Anne-Laure Mais adds an edgy and more polished element to hers by pairing them with slingback flats and a leather jacket. This is a combination we continue to see, and it works every time, regardless of whether the shorts are patterned or not.

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Biker Shorts

Style Notes: Sorry, leggings—biker shorts are back, and more elevated than ever. We certainly expect to see them worn with coordinating sports bras and retro sneakers for post-Pilates coffee dates, but also for casual nights out when styled with kitten heels and a fitted tank.

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Jorts

Style Notes: This summer, we're not just setting aside our skirts; we're also putting away our tiny denim shorts. After all, who finds them comfortable? Instead, try experimenting with the jorts trend. This longer, baggier style, which falls from mid-thigh to the top of the knee, offers flexibility and practicality. Though they can be tricky to style, remember that less is more when wearing them. This means pairing them with wardrobe basics like simple tees, button-down shirts, leather belts, and flats.

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Micro Linen & Cotton Shorts

Style Notes: At some stage during the summer, wearing linen or cotton pants can become tiresome. The good news is that a variety of stylish linen or cotton shorts are available. Whether you prefer tailored designs or relaxed drawstring styles, this shorts trend has something for everyone. We particularly love how the white shorts are paired here with a suede jacket, collared shirt, and sweater, achieving a preppy chic vibe.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, fashion is our specialty. 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 recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders, and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels, so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.