It’s the middle of summer, and I know style can tend to wane when the weather is hot. In case you’re looking for some motivation or inspiration to get dressed, let’s do a quick and easy remix, looking at 15 outfits with comfortable denim shorts!
Finding a good pair of comfortable denim shorts is the same as hunting for a good pair of jeans. It can take a while to find a good pair, but denim shorts that are stretchy and super comfortable do exist!
My current favorite pair is this pair by Sonoma Goods from Kohl’s that I shared about earlier this summer. They have a 5” inseam which is a great length that gives you good coverage but is still well above the knees. Most importantly, they are COMFORTABLE! They are really stretchy and soft. And they’re super AFFORDABLE! During one of Kohl’s frequent sales, these things get well under $20! Check them out HERE. I wear these in size 6.
Another pair that I like is the Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’solution Shorts. They have a slightly longer inseam than the pair from Kohl’s, and they are also extremely comfortable with soft material and good stretch. They have the super comfortable elastic waistband that we all love from Wit & Wisdom as well. They are pricier than the Kohl’s pair, though! I included a couple of outfits with them as well. Find the shorts HERE. I wear size 6. See the same shorts in a lighter wash and with slight distressing, HERE.
SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Shop Comfortable Denim Shorts
There are more pairs of comfortable denim shorts in the widget below:
Here are several ways to wear denim shorts!
With a Casual Tank Top
Let’s start with a casual tank top. You can go with a basic one like in the first outfit, or you can add more visual interest with a printed tank top!
The white tank is really breathable and has a good drape. It comes in 8 colors and in regular, petite, and tall sizing, HERE. I wear XS.
I also love these graphic print muscle tees for comfortable, lightweight options that give your casual outfits some personality! They’re also crazy affordable, often under $9 on sale! They come in 16 prints, HERE. I wear size S.
Whether you’re going with a basic tank or a graphic print tank, make sure to add a few accessories to pull together your outfits!
Shop Summer Tank Tops
Shop the Outfits:
With a Casual T-Shirt
Of course, you can go with a t-shirt instead of a tank! One of my favorite tees for summer is this Madewell Crewneck Tee because it’s really soft and lightweight, so it keeps you cooler in the summer. I wear that in size S.
I also love this MTV Tee for a fun vibe. It’s a little thicker, but it’s nice for a cooler summer day. I also wear it in the spring quite a bit. And it’s only $12.99! I wear size M.
Last, I LOVE the black tee above, and though it’s completely sold out, there are others from the same brand. This tee is pricier than I’d normally pay for tees, but it is soooooo soft and it drapes so well! I don’t know how else to explain how it feels, but besides the material feeling great, the way it hangs on me feels so good. It doesn’t cling or get stuck to me like some other tees might. It just moves fluidly with you. It’s really all in the nuances, but it keeps me reaching for this tee over others. Another similar one from the same brand is HERE. I sized up to M in this tee.
There are tons of options for t-shirts, and you can shop a few in the widget below.
Shop Summer Tees
Shop the Outfits:
With a Lightweight Layer
Add a statement layering piece, like one of these floral wraps, to make a regular old outfit of denim shorts + a basic tank pop!
The first wrap above is really soft and really breathable, and it comes in 34 different prints. It makes a great swimsuit coverup as well!
The second one is a PMT fan favorite. It’s shorter and has way less material, so if you often feel like you’re overwhelmed by material in wraps, this is a better option. Also, a lot of petite women like it since it’s not as long as others. That said, I’m not petite, rather I’m 5’6″, but I like the length as well! It’s also very lightweight and breathable and drapes well, and it’s only $15.99! It comes in several colors, HERE. I’m wearing size L for a looser fit.
Shop the Outfits:
With an Elevated Casual Top
Last, dress up denim shorts a bit by pairing them with tops that are a little nicer!
The first one above is one of my current favorite tops for the summer. I love that it’s nicer than a t-shirt, but you can totally wear it in casual settings without feeling overdressed at all. It’s also very lightweight and very breathable, so it keeps you really cool and comfortable on super duper hot days. It’s only available in a few sizes, but you can check if yours is available. Find it at Madewell on major sale (but final sale) HERE. You can also get it from Nordstrom for full price but eligible for free returns, HERE. I wear size XS.
The yellow top is cute and feels just like a t-shirt but looks a lot nicer! The yellow top comes in several other prints, which you can see HERE. I wear the yellow top in size S. It has cross back straps, so you do need a bra that accommodates that. If you don’t have a strapless bra that you actually like, I recommend trying the Wacoal bra which is currently ON SALE as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, or the Natori bra which is the one I own. I completely hated strapless bras until I tried the Natori one. No more pulling up your strapless bra throughout the day! (The Wacoal one has even better reviews than mine, so I’d try that one first!)
Shop the Outfits:
Those are a few outfit ideas with comfortable denim shorts that you can try! If you want to step up your denim shorts outfits, I recommend getting a few graphic print tanks/tees as well as finding at least 1-2 casual tops that are a slight step up from tees. They will refresh your denim shorts in no time!
Check out all of my One Piece Many Ways posts, HERE!
If you loved learning how to wear one piece different ways, you will love the Wardrobe Staples Styler! You’ll learn how to utilize 16 wardrobe staples to pump out endless outfits with ease, just like we did here.
You’ll get a list of 16 versatile wardrobe staples, what to look for when shopping for them, 48 plug-and-wear outfit formulas to help you put yourself together, and extra look books with 330+ outfit ideas. When you know how to work with the right wardrobe staples, the possibilities are truly endless.
Learn all about the Wardrobe Staples Styler HERE so that you can unlock your effortless style!
(P.S. You can add on the Wardrobe Staples Shopping Guide if you want that extra help shopping for wardrobe staples, too!)
