4 Ways To Wear Denim Shorts This Summer and Still Feel Polished

For some reason, denim shorts have, to my mind, always been synonymous with a certain youthful brand of dressing. I imagine face-painted, festival-going teens in barely there cut-offs and crop tops or high-waisted styles thrown over itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny bikinis. They were not, however, something I associated with polished dressing. Until now. 

While one of the key selling points of denim has always been its hard-wearing credentials and casual appeal, there’s been a cohort of fashion lovers embracing an altogether more polished finish this season. The most obvious point of difference seems to be the length, and many have been championing a longer style that sits high on the waist and ends mid-thigh. The effect is seriously chic. 

We know this is not necessarily the time to be attempting overcomplicated or uncomfortable ensembles (we’re still weaning ourselves off trackies), but there’s something to be said for giving new life to those wardrobe basics that have been stuck in a rut over the years. Luckily for us, the 2021 denim-shorts outfits aren’t complicated, and they look to grown-up accessories (think shoulder bags and elegant heels), crisp tailoring and the odd date-night top to elevate this hard-wearing staple. Scroll down to get all the grown-up, denim-shorts inspo you need.