It has to be said: denim shorts for women are one of the easiest items in your summer wardrobe. We’re perpetually in awe of the way just a tiny flash of denim can make your whole outfit look 100% cooler, and don’t get us started on double denim, and yet, we still don’t feel like they get the credit they deserve.
Summer dresses are a dream to throw on and go when you’re stumped for what to wear on a warm day, but the best denim shorts are just as versatile – perhaps even more so. One of our favourite ways to wear denim shorts come autumn is to pair them with a leather jacket.
Whether you favour a classic cut-off, raw, distressed and frayed finish, or choose a smarter pleat-front style that you could wear to work (with a crisp white shirt), we’ve narrowed it down to what we think are the 11 best denim shorts to covet this season. Editor approved.
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Because sustainability is a priority, particularly when it comes to denim, these shorts should all remain in your wardrobe for many summers to come. But we do have to flag up 2023’s boldest new shape – the denim bermuda short. Harking back to the ’80s, they offer a flatteringly longer leg and looser fit, similar to mom jeans, and come up to just above your waist. Slick enough to pair with blazers for that Princess Diana look, Gucci’s GG jacquard shorts are exactly the vibe. Wear them with some slingback kitten heels or clean fashion trainers.
Off on your travels to a hot country? A distressed pair of denim shorts for women is a must-pack. H&M’s white design would look great with a simple tank top and some chunky black sandals, while Agolde’s raw-hemmed iteration would be Riviera-perfect with a Breton top or a loose linen shirt and bikini.
How we chose the best denim shorts for women
Combining our expert knowledge in fashion – including which brands are worth spending your money on and what trends are living up to the hype – with customer reviews and data on everything you’ve been searching for, we’ve curated what we feel is a selection of the best denim shorts for women on the market. We’ve rifled through and tested the good and the bad so you don’t have to, and have paid particular attention to specifics like cost, fabrics, sustainability and wearability and functionality in order to narrow it down. We’re a team of 30+ here at GLAMOUR HQ, each of us a different shape, size, height and so on, and we’ve tried our fair share of denim shorts to know which ones are worth shouting about. Here’s what to consider yourself: