If you have ever felt like your summer style is drab, one super duper easy way to remedy that is by diversifying your collection of shorts! I have preached the Importance of Colored Bottoms for the last 7 years (!!) and it still rings true. It’s especially helpful for remixing your wardrobe in the summer when you can’t rely on layers to change things up. Colored bottoms become even more important!
That said, you don’t need a huge collection of shorts. I think 3-4 different pairs is a great sweet spot, though as someone who is not quite a minimalist, I personally have a few more than that.
Today I want to share five types of casual shorts for summer that you could add to your wardrobe to make changing up your summer outfits much easier. Remember, I’m not saying to add them all–choose 3 of your favorites and start there!
SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Denim Shorts
You can choose denim shorts in any wash, dark, medium, or light. Choose any length that you are most comfortable with. And choose ones with distressing or without. Totally up to you. I personally like to have several different pairs in different lengths and washes, though if you’re going minimal, you only need one. The ONE thing I would urge you to not waiver on is that the pair is soft and stretchy!
You all know I LOVE soft, stretchy-as-heck jeans, but I didn’t realize until last summer that soft, stretchy denim shorts existed too. 😮 I was like “OHMIGOSH! What have I been doing with my life???”
The pair above is my newest pair, and while they are on the more expensive side, they feel great–soft and stretchy of course! I love the lighter wash and mild distressing, but more than anything I love the length and overall comfort! Check them out HERE.
Shop The Outfit
Top: Nordstrom (similar)
Printed Wrap: Amazon (exact–size L)
Shorts: Nordstrom (exact-size 6)
Sandals: (similar)
Bag: Sole Society (similar)
Necklace: Dear Mushka (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
This pair has a shorter inseam, but they are REALLY soft and stretchy, though also on the expensive side. I got these last year, but after FASTer Way to Fat Loss they no longer fit me. If a 3″ inseam works for you and you want an extremely soft pair of denim shorts, try these. They come in a few different washes HERE.
Shop The Outfit
Tee: Nordstrom (similar crew-neck)
Shorts: BlankNYC (exact, also exact)
Sandals: Born (exact, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
Shop More Soft, Stretchy Denim Shorts Starting at $16!
Below I rounded up some soft, stretchy denim shorts at all price points, starting at $16. Target’s Universal Threads line and JCPenney have some that are pretty stretchy and very affordable. I featured several in the widget below from Target’s Universal Threads which tend to be stretchy, but not all of them are. So, apologies if I linked to one that isn’t, but try a few and at least one should be a hit!
Scroll through the widget below to see them all. Click an image to shop.
2. White Shorts – Denim, Chinos, Linen, etc.
I looooove white shorts for summer! They make outfits look so fresh. Any material works, though I usually prefer denim that can be dressed down or dressed up a bit. My shorts are old from Nordstrom (the Caslon brand) and no longer available, but I rounded up several more options that you can shop in the widget below.
Shop The Outfit
Top: Nordstrom (exact-size S)
Shorts: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact-size M)
Sandals: Nordstrom (similar)
Hat: Nordstrom (exact)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact)
Shop More White Shorts Options:
Scroll through the widget below to see them all. Click an image to shop.
3. Neutral Colored Shorts – linen, utility, chinos, etc.
I’d recommend a pair of neutral colored shorts in any material of your choice. My top choice is always olive, which is a pseudo-neutral and goes well with a lot of colors. You can go for olive, black, khaki, navy, grey, etc.
Any material works. I like lighter weight shorts that are comfy and soft—a nice break when it’s so hot and humid that even denim shorts feel too thick and gross. My previous pair no longer fit after I did FASTer Way to Fat Loss, so this summer I replaced them with the pair below from J.Crew Factory.
This pair is a brighter green, with a nice 5” inseam and a 12” leg opening. Linen is prone to wrinkle, and while these do, they are a bit thicker, so the wrinkling isn’t horrible. They come in sizes XXS to XXL. I wear size XS. See them HERE.
Shop The Outfit
Top: JCPenney (exact-size S)
Shorts: J.Crew Factory (exact-size XS)
Sandals: Nordstrom (similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: Dear Mushka (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
Paper bag waist shorts are a cute alternative to standard neutral shorts!
Shop The Outfit
Top: Nordstrom (exact-size S, similar–size S)
Shorts: Nordstrom (exact–size S, similar, similar)
Sandals: Old Navy (exact-size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: Dear Mushka (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
More Neutral Colored Shorts Starting at $10:
Scroll through the widget below to see them all. Click an image to shop.
4. Colored Shorts
Colored shorts are a VERY easy way to liven up basic tees and tanks. They add a fun pop to outfits and can be paired with all sorts of printed tops. Again, they can be any material or style you like. My preferred colors for summer are coral or mustard, but you can of course go for ANY color, like turquoise, aqua, or bright green.
This yellow pair is the same as the green linen pair I showed earlier. In the past, my colored shorts were chinos, but I’m really liking linen shorts this season as I find them even more casual than chinos, which fits my lifestyle better. I also love that linen is softer, looser, and more breathable. You can also go for soft shorts instead, which are even more comfy!
Shop The Outfit
Tee: Target (exact-size M limited sizes, similar)
Shorts: J.Crew Factory (exact-size XS)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact-size M)
Sandals: Nordstrom (similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar)
Necklace: Dear Mushka (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
Shop More Colored Shorts Starting at $16:
Scroll through the widget below to see them all. Click an image to shop.
5. Printed Shorts
Printed shorts are another great option for mixing up your summer outfits. They instantly liven up basic solid tees and tanks! You get the same ease of wearing comfy basics but, thanks to the print, you look like you tried! #winning
I shared this pair a couple of weeks ago and appreciate how comfy and lightweight they are. They work well with yellow as shown here, with white, and with navy or black.
You can do linen shorts or those really soft printed shorts (in the widget below). Vertical stripes are in this summer, but there are plenty of other prints as well. Check them out in the widget below!
Shop The Outfit
Top: Nordstrom (exact-size S)
Shorts: Nordstrom (exact-size S)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact-size M)
Sandals: (similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
Shop More Printed Shorts:
Scroll through the widget below to see them all. Click an image to shop.
The first 3 have been my summer shorts staples for YEARS. They have totally served me well! If you want help building a summer wardrobe from the ground up, and if you want to see how to put the first 3 shorts into tons of outfits, check out the Summer Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide!
