Here Are 9 Ways to Instantly Elevate Your Favorite Denim Cutoff Shorts

fashion collage featuring three style influencers Sylvie Mus, Anouk Yve, and Sara Walker wearing elevated denim cutoff outfits

There's no denying what seems to be a resounding interest among fashion people in putting together an expensive-looking closet. When it comes to summer outfits, denim cutoff shorts often come to mind but not usually in a more sophisticated sense so they are often overlooked beyond a casual ensemble. However, I'm not convinced that they need to be. Thanks to the help of some chic styling it's 100% possible to instantly elevate your favorite denim cutoffs.

To prove this, I rounded up nine standout outfits straight from my Instagram outfit inspiration folder that show just how elevated this jeans shorts style can truly be. A red thread through each of these outfits is the inclusion of elevated essentials like smart blazers, effortless T-shirts, classic belts, trendy ballet flats, chic sandals, and more. Keep scrolling to check out and shop each look—I guarantee you will be able to get even more wear out of your denim shorts collection this season.

1.

female influencer Sylvie Mus poses on a Paris sidewalk wearing black oval sunglasses, a. tan oversize blazer, white tee, chain necklace, black Bermuda cutoff denim shorts, a black belt, and black suede pumps

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

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2.

J.Crew's creative director Olympia Gayot poses for a mirror selfie wearing a denim-on-denim outfit with a denim button-down shirt, black belt, black netted bucket tote bag, and medium-wash denim cutoff shorts

(Image credit: @olympiamarie)

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3.

female fashion influencer Sara Walker poses on a sidewalk in Venice, California with a slicked back bun, black oval sunglasses, statement earrings, a black sleeveless mock neck top, black belt, cutoff Bermuda denim shorts, mini black woven bag, and round-toe slingback heels

(Image credit: @styledsara)

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4.

British fashion influencer Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks poses while on vacation in Ibiza, Spain wearing a printed silk head scarf, chunky aviator sunglasses, a white polo t-shirt, denim cutoff shorts, cream mini shoulder bag, and white Alaia mesh flats

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

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5.

fashion influencer Vivian Li poses in NYC near a Subway station wearing black round sunglasses, a collarless leather jacket, white cropped tee, cutoff Bermuda denim shorts, and blue ballet flats

(Image credit: @vivianyrl)

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6.

fashion influencer Anouk Yve poses with a low messy bun, a black t-shirt with a cream sweater over the shoulders, a two-tone large tote bag, short cutoff denim shorts and thin tan belt

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

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7.

French fashion influencer Julie of leasy inparis poses on cobblestone streets in Saint-Tropez wearing oversize black sunglasses, an oversize white button-down shirt, cutoff denim shorts, a straw tote bag with brown leather handles, and Hermes flat slide sandals

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

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8.

fashion and beauty editor Aniyah Morinia poses in front of pretty plants and flowers wearing tort oval sunglasses, a sweatheart top with puff sleeves, tan shoulder bag, and Bermuda denim cutoff shorts

(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

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9.

Model and jewelry designer Cecilie Moosgaard Nielsen poses on the streets of Copenhagen wearing black cat-eye sunglasses, a black blazer, white t-shirt, slim Bermuda denim cutoff shorts, chain bracelet, and strappy mule kitten heel sandals

(Image credit: @ceciliemoosgaard)

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Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.