Shorts Outfits for Grown-Ups

These styling ideas will kick shorts skeptics to the curb.

Kick off your summer wardrobe by investing in one the season's hottest trends: the short. Haven't worn shorts in decades? Get inspired by the sophisticated new options flooding your favorite sites. Choose from varieties long and short, opt for a pair with pockets, go for cotton, linen, or silk—the choices are aplenty, but that wasn’t always the case. Women once fought for the right to wear shorts at all; they were even outlawed in several states. Eventually the bans against shorts were lifted and the '50s brought a boom in short shorts, publicized by pin-up girls, while longer Bermuda styles were popularized for everyday wear. Today, the leg-revealing bottom has had another fashion renaissance starring on the spring 2020 runways at Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, and Dior. Don't shy away from playing with proportions and prints. Pair them with blazers and button downs. Add on elevated accessories. Ahead, five shorts outfits that are all grown up.

Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, covering runway trends and tracking down the latest finds to buy and wear. When she’s not writing about fashion, she pens about the best places to jet-off to. Over her six years with Marie Claire, Sara has reported on the ever-evolving world of fashion— covering both established and emerging designers within the industry. Sara has held fashion positions at Lucky and SELF Magazine and was a regular contributor to Equinox’s Furthermore website, where she wrote across their style, wellness, and travel verticals. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and currently resides in Manhattan. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork.