How to Wear the Long Shorts That Are Everywhere This Summer
There's no question that shorts are a summertime essential. And while every season seems to arrive with its own preferred silhouette, it appears that long shorts have become the favorite of this moment. This is, to be clear, a good thing: Long shorts offer far more range than their shorter counterparts. Tailored versions feel refined, denim and chino styles are peak off-duty, and more athletic-inspired pairs bring a relaxed, streetwise perspective—especially when styled alongside more feminine pieces.
Not only have we seen the silhouette pop up among street-style stars and Substackers like Becky Malinsky, but it’s also made its mark on the runways. There were embellished styles at Dries Van Noten that called to mind the ensembles of matadors. Fforme's Bermudas offered a more coastal approach, while TWP's everyday chino shorts proved just how much range the silhouette has.
Ahead, eight long-short summer outfits that will keep you cool all season, whether you're trying to stay polished at the office or searching for a look that can transition from city to beach with just a few simple tweaks.
Probably the easiest way to style long shorts is by pairing them with summertime staples: a ribbed tank, flip-flops, and sunglasses. Layer a linen button-down on top for sun protection, breezy coverage, or cooler evenings—it's the kind of outfit you'll reach for on repeat all season long.
The easiest way to make black work in the summer is by choosing breathable fabrics and looser silhouettes. Relaxed Bermuda shorts paired with an open-weave sweater keep the palette feeling light, while a bright red T-shirt and matching sandals break up the dark tones with a welcome pop of color. It's an easy formula whether you're wandering through a city or island-hopping in Greece.
Summer is the season to think beyond traditional tops. A chocolate brown bikini paired with fluid printed shorts feels equally at home by the water or at a beachside café, while sculptural wooden jewelry and a raffia bag reinforce the laid-back, vacation-ready mood.
Don't write off knitwear just because it's summer. A lightweight cardigan is one of the season's most useful layers, whether worn over the shoulders, pulled on in aggressively air-conditioned restaurants, or thrown over your outfit during cooler evenings. Styled with cargo shorts, the matching knit set softens the utilitarian silhouette, while shell-inspired jewelry gives the outfit a subtle maritime touch.
By mid-summer, many of us become world-class experts in the sport of lounging—and hopefully that lounging is taking place poolside. Long, linen-blend drawstring shorts allow for maximum airflow and are easy to slip off before taking a dip, while the floral-appliqué on this T-shirt gives an everyday staple a more playful twist. Complete the look with a crochet tote, tinted sunglasses, and PVC sandals made for sunny afternoons.
Perhaps you'll find yourself spending time along the coast this summer, where temperatures can shift dramatically throughout the day. A bucket hat provides ample sun protection, while a lightweight anorak comes in handy when the breeze picks up. To keep the look from veering too utilitarian, pair them with polished staples like long pleated shorts, a striped knit T-shirt, and slim-line sneakers for a look that feels just as right in town as it does by the water.
Long shorts with unexpected details don't require much styling—and feel especially well suited to dinner or drinks. A satin tank, linen blazer, woven belt, and strappy heels complement the look without distracting from the design, allowing distinctive details like this pair's inverted belt loops to stand out.
There's something about summer that makes pastoral references feel especially right. A plaid sleeveless top, crochet triangle scarf, and raffia tote nod to Americana and handcrafted traditions, while dark-wash denim Bermudas and mesh ballet flats keep the look from feeling too on-the-nose.
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