14 Outfits With Shorts to Try This Summer

Woman walking down the street in white denim shorts and a button down — Photo:
Getty Images

From linen shorts to leather hot pants, summer's favorite clothing item has an answer to every occasion. Denim cutoffs are a must for backyard barbecues and trips to the beach, while bike shorts, once reserved for workouts, evolved into a street-style staple. More recently, the underwear-as-outerwear trend has brought boxer shorts and teeny tiny micro shorts to the forefront. Fashion analyst and trend forecaster Mandy Lee discussed what's next in a recent Instagram post, predicting that the rise of bloomers will soon give way to slik slip shorts gaining popularity.

Whatever shorts you reach for this summer, styling them isn't always easy. Managing to stay cool and look it is no simple feat. So we tapped experts and scoured celebrity street style to offer you inspiration. Ahead, find 14 outfits with shorts to try this summer.

01 of 14

Dressed Up Denim

A guest wears blue denim Bermuda shorts, a white top, a red and white checkered jacket, and a red Gucci bag outside Peet Dullaert during the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024/2025 — Getty Images

A houndstooth jacket isn't the first thing you think to pair with a pair of denim shorts, but the combination looks surprisingly at home together, thanks in large part to the way red and blue compliment each other.

New York-based stylist Mario Horne. also recommends pairing denim shorts with a statement belt, button down, and penny loafers.

02 of 14

Short Shorts and a Button Down

A fashion week guest wears brown rimmed sunglasses with clear lenses, silver necklace, bright blue button up long sleeve shirt half buttoned, light brown trench coat,black mini shorts, silver ankle bracelet, shiny brown kitten leather heels, black handbag, silver earrings, — Getty Images

"When wearing short, shorts I think it's very important that your proportions are on point," Horne says. To balance out a pair of short shorts, "You can never go wrong with an oversized crisp, white button up (loosely tucked in the front) and a statement belt. "

03 of 14

Short Shorts, Long Jacket

Sophia Geiss seen wearing Mango black sunglasses, Uniqlo white cotton basic top, Mango mini micro shorts, and a 032c black long blazer coat. — Getty Images

Another way to balance out a pair of micro mini shorts is to pair them with a long jacket. Penny loafers add a sophisticated touch.

04 of 14

Oversized Shorts and Riding Boots

Model Bella Hadid in shorts and riding boots — Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Bella Hadid shows off her equestrian background by sporting riding boots, and proves that the "big pants small top" formula works with shorts too

Look of the day

Katie Holmes in overcoat and blue hoodie

Must see fits from all your favorite celebs.

See the looks

05 of 14

Prep School Casual

Kendall Jenner in shorts, a blazer, and a baseball hat — Getty Images

Kendall Jenner strikes just the right balance of polished and laid back by pairing preppy elements (loafers and a blazer) with more casual ones (shorts and a baseball hat).

06 of 14

Athletic Shorts and an Oversized Jacket

A guest wears beige vintage sunglasses, a black lace print pattern tank-top, a dark gray blazer jacket, red shorts, a white long trench coat, a red shiny leather handbag, white socks, red shiny leather pointed pumps heels shoes — Getty Images

Cherry red is the accent color of the season, and what better way to incorporate one than a pair of red shorts peaking out under an oversized black top? Matching accessories tie it all together.

07 of 14

White Denim with a Cardigan and Ballet Flats

Model Rebecca Longendyke is seen wearing a black shirt, cream shorts and black falts — Getty Images

Shorts go great with ballet flats. The combination feels like a fresh, updated take on the kind of bottoms we paired with the trendy shoe on its first go-around in the 2010s. Adding a cardigan on top makes the perfect polished outfit to throw on for errands or lunch.

08 of 14

Matchy Matchy Linen Shorts

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex — Getty Images

Take notes from Meghan Markle, who paired a pair of beige shorts with a black tank, black belt, and a white sweater with black trim. The mix and match neutrals look put together but laid back.

09 of 14

A Canadian Tuxedo

Hailey Bieber in denim shorts, a white crop top, denim jacket, and adidas sneakers. — Getty Images

For the simplest of outfit formulas, pair denim cutoffs with a white crop top and an oversized denim jacket, à la Hailey Bieber.

10 of 14

Dark Denim With an Open Button Down

Emilie Joseph wears a summer wardrobe capsule: an oversized white poplin button-down shirt from Figaret Paris , tucked into high-waisted denim bermuda shorts — Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

A darker, more tailored denim short offers a more formal look, especially when paired with a crisp white button down and pointed toe heels. Keeping the button down largely unbuttoned and the cuffs open keeps the look from feeling too buttoned up.

11 of 14

Bike Shorts and a Blazer

Caroline "Caro" Daur is seen wearing black belted blazer, cycle pants outside Alyx during Paris Fashion Week — Getty Images

"I also love mixing sportswear and evening wear pieces! I'd keep the look all black! Pair your black biker shorts with an oversized matching blazer ( with satin lapel ) layered over a lace corset and a pointy-toe kitten heel for a night on the town."

12 of 14

A Short Suit With Sneakers

Bella Hadid in a tweet two piece — Pierre Suu/Getty Images

To style a short suit for a more casual setting, balance out the formality with a T-shirt and sneakers. Here, Bella Hadid shows us how to get the look—pairing a tweed blazer and matching shorts with a T-shirt and adding '90s elements with chunky sneakers, high socks, and tiny sunglasses.

13 of 14

Business on the Top, Soccer Practice on the Bottom

Gabriella Berdugo wears black sunglasses, a white shirt a beige wavy order jacket, gold and silver chain necklaces, a white pearls phone case crossbody bag, blue sport shorts from Adidas, — Getty Images

In the same way that a pair of sambas can dress down trousers or add interest to a sundress, athletic shorts balance out more tailored pieces. Adding kitten heels ties the whole thing together.

14 of 14