Shorts Are the New Skirts—See the Proof and Shop My Favorite Pairs

Sorry, skirt lovers, but it’s true. Shorts are the new skirts, and your girl here can prove it. At first, I just thought that the abundance of cool shorts outfits on my feed was another quarantine thing. After all, skirts don’t make quite as much sense as a pair of stretchy bike shorts or breezy sweatshorts for doing anything from dialing into Zoom meetings to lying on the couch in between tasks. However, as we inch closer and closer to summer’s official arrival—June 20, for anyone who’s counting down the days—it’s become increasingly clear that this trend is neither short-lived nor confined to the home.

As someone who has been a longtime champion of shorts over skirts, I’m excited to both show you some of the "proof” I’ve gathered as well as help you shop out the five main categories fashion girls are wearing now. From athletic styles to tailored picks to classic denim (sometimes with a twist), I guarantee something for everyone but likely more than just one pair you’ll love below. To get started, just keep scrolling.

Athletic Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104913539-image

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104926292-image

(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104925469-image

(Image credit: @jen_wonders)

Tailored Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104914616-image

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104915646-image

(Image credit: @taniasarin)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104916419-image

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Bike Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104912119-image

(Image credit: @littleblackboots)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104923422-image

(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104924244-image

(Image credit: @aemiliafay)

Denim Shorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104920759-image

(Image credit: @shhtephs)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104921444-image

(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104922509-image

(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Sweatshorts

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104918518-image

(Image credit: @natashandlovu)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104917488-image

(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

best-summer-shorts-287560-1591104919536-image

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Next: Trust me, buy this—at-home edition.

Explore More:
Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. Upon joining, she was a senior about to graduate from business school at USC. Fast-forward to 2025, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was just starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content and her Trust Me—Buy This newsletter. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to neutral, classic pieces but will always make an exception for something colorful or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a party is dressing up for one. On her downtime, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.