Denim shorts are having a revival, here are the best ones
Find the right pair of denim shorts is a bit like finding the Holy Grail. It can be a long gruelling task, but once you've found that perfect one, you'll never look back.
Put simply, they are a major summer wardrobe essential. They are the first thing you put on your holiday packing list and the one item you wear endlessly on your travels (and to festivals, remember those?).
Women's shorts work beautifully with an oversized shirt and chunky loafers for a stroll around town, or over a swimsuit for an al fresco lunch on the beach. For an impromptu soirée, they'll look fab with a slinky satin top and wraparound summer sandals.
So it's only natural to want to own more than just one trusty pair, and what perfect timing, since denim shorts are having a bit of a revival.
A word of warning to wallflowers: this season, shorts are not understated. Au contraire. Over at Givenchy, Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent and Versace, it was all about teeny, tiny micro shorts - think the cheek-skimming kind. It's not as scary as it sounds though, the key is proportion. Team yours with an oversized jumper or short to balance things out. See Net-A-Porter for truly expansive edit.
Meanwhile, over at Louis Vuitton, Balmain and Chanel, bold colours and funky prints were the ordre du jour, paired with more statement clothes. For a more wearable take on the trend though, do team your colourful denim shorts with a plain white racer top or tee.
That said, if in doubt, the classics are always reliable. Think high-waisted, ripped jean styles or mum shorts, teamed with your favourite chunky trainers or sandals. I'm also loving the longer, bermuda styles as inspired by Balmain.
Don't forget to check our Marie Claire vouchers site before you shop for the latest offers and discounts from your favourite brands - think, Selfridges, The Outnet and Browns.
So time to get ahead of the next heatwave and shop my favourite denim shorts below.
For major 70s vibes, look no further than these high-waisted patch pocket shorts.
Bermuda shorts are much more flattering than you'd think, I love wearing mine with mules.
Tie-dyed with pretty pastel shades, this high-waisted pair has stitched pleats through the front and turned-up cuffs to enhance the slightly loose legs.
Black shorts are the ultimate festival fashion staple, but you can dress them up as well with a tailored denim shirt.
Bring a retro charm to everyday separates with Isabel Marant’s pastel-pink shorts, which are shaped to a panelled construction. They’re crafted from robust cotton-blend denim and features a high-rise waist, back patch pockets and gold hardware.
These high-waisted shorts are an absolute wardrobe essential. Wear yours with a relaxed shirt.
These green Denimist Nic distressed denim shorts are cut for a relaxed fit, and the mint green shade is perfect for summer.
These blue PAIGE Robbie denim shorts feature a high waist, five pocket design and knee-length hems with frayed edges.
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Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.
Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).
Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.
However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.
Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.
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