Style

28 Summer Outfit Ideas Involving Shorts to Try ASAP

June 21, 2018

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You have your denim cutoffs, your workout (or lounge-about) gym shorts, and those all-over-print shorts you only break out when you're on vacation—there's very little incentive to switch up how you style them. But with all the new suiting available and the return of short styles you hadn't considered in years (like Bermudas!), the time is ripe for some experimentation. Whether you're committed to your jeans or are open to trying new silhouettes (three-quarter khakis, maybe?), we have some fresh outfit inspiration in the gallery ahead that'll get you excited to wear shorts this summer.

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Daniel Zuchnik

1/28

An extra-voluminous blouse and coordinating heels sweeten your simplest pair of denim shorts.
Edward Berthelot

2/28

Shorts suits: They're here, they're chic, and they're made for mornings when you hit snooze one too many times before work.

Valentina Ranieri

3/28

All-pastel-everything is only one step removed from the all-white-everything summer dress code, but with less of a concern about spilling.
Melodie Jeng

4/28

Tie up a white button-down over black bike shorts and top and, boom, you're done.

Celine Gaille

5/28

Sleek booties and a patchwork jacket are the keys to upping your old khaki shorts.
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Christian Vierig

6/28

Bermuda shorts and a neutral shirt-jacket are the perfect base for your most summer-y accessories, like a straw bag and bandanna.

Edward Berthelot

7/28

Never underestimate the power of denim shorts—they'll bring together the most unlikely pieces, like a cropped windbreaker and color-block ballet flats.
Saira MacLeod/REX/Shutterstock

8/28

If black is your only neutral, give it a summer spin by swapping trousers for shorts and adding colorful accessories.

Vanni Bassetti

9/28

Knee-grazing chiffon shorts hit the same tone as a sweeping midi skirt, but with more range of motion.
Raymond Hall

10/28

Dress up a pair of linen—or, dare we say, PJ—shorts with sheer tights and a button-down.

Valentina Ranieri

11/28

Plain white shorts serve as a backdrop for 2018's hero items: the bucket hat, the tiny sunglasses, and the belt bag.
Christian Vierig

12/28

You don't need a Couture Week invite to nail this power outfit—get yourself a coordinated shorts suit and a ruffled top to wear underneath, and you're good to go.

Christian Vierig

13/28

Double up on finishing touches for a sweet-but-not-saccharine look. Exhibit A: scalloped shorts under a fringe-lined blazer.
More from Glamour
I’m Under 5'4"—These Are the Jeans I Always Recommend for Petite Women

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Claudio Lavenia

14/28

A dramatic blouse and high-heel sandals dress up silky mid-length shorts for day and night wear.

Melodie Jeng

15/28

Printed shorts stand out best with an equally eye-grabbing top. Keep the rest of the outfit—like a blazer and slide sandals—a little more dialed-down.
Michelle Sangster

16/28

It looks like a run-of-the-mill shirtdress—but wait, there are shorts!

Donald Stahl/WWD/REX/Shutterstock

17/28

Floral Bermudas work when linked up with a windbreaker and souped-up sneakers.
Michael Ip

18/28

Embrace the high drama of an allover print with exaggerated sleeves up top and statement shoes below.

Timur Emek

19/28

Beach-appropriate board shorts become all-day apparel with a slouchy tee and sneakers.
Vanni Bassetti

20/28

With a textured jacket and bejeweled slides, frayed cutoffs make the cut for a day-date look.

Christian Vierig

21/28

The tiniest sliver of patterned shorts pops when it's peeking out from under an oversize button-down and jacket.
More from Glamour
I’m Under 5'4"—These Are the Jeans I Always Recommend for Petite Women

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The Prettiest Summer Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Kind of Ceremony

The Best Tennis Dresses to Wear on and off the Court
Melodie Jeng

22/28

Find your most extra top. (The more dramatic the sleeves, the better.) Tuck it to subdued high-waist shorts. Behold, a lewk.

Raymond Hall

23/28

A denim jacket becomes a going-out top with sleek biker shorts and mesh mules.
Christian Vierig

24/28

Shorts that can pass for a skirt call for a more formal top. Our suggestion? Tuck in a tricked-out polo, and finish with your favorite shades.

Valentina Ranieri

25/28

Festival fashion that works IRL: primary-color shorts balanced by a boho crop top and low-key sneakers.
Valentina Ranieri

26/28

If you're stumped on how to rejuvenate a preppy shirtdress, dark denim shorts can help: Unbutton all the way, then layer over a plain tee, shorts, and sneakers.

REX/Shutterstock

27/28

Suiting with shorts, level two: Look for a cropped jacket in the same shade as your shorts, then add a brightly printed button-down.
Christian Vierig

28/28

That silk duster you usually wear around the house? It naturally doubles as a light layer to contrast leather shorts.

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28 Summer Outfit Ideas Involving Shorts to Try ASAP

An extra-voluminous blouse and coordinating heels sweeten your simplest pair of denim shorts.

Shorts suits: They're here, they're chic, and they're made for mornings when you hit snooze one too many times before work.

All-pastel-everything is only one step removed from the all-white-everything summer dress code, but with less of a concern about spilling.

Tie up a white button-down over black bike shorts and top and, boom, you're done.

Sleek booties and a patchwork jacket are the keys to upping your old khaki shorts.

Bermuda shorts and a neutral shirt-jacket are the perfect base for your most summer-y accessories, like a straw bag and bandanna.

Never underestimate the power of denim shorts—they'll bring together the most unlikely pieces, like a cropped windbreaker and color-block ballet flats.

If black is your only neutral, give it a summer spin by swapping trousers for shorts and adding colorful accessories.

Knee-grazing chiffon shorts hit the same tone as a sweeping midi skirt, but with more range of motion.

Dress up a pair of linen—or, dare we say, PJ—shorts with sheer tights and a button-down.

Plain white shorts serve as a backdrop for 2018's hero items: the bucket hat, the tiny sunglasses, and the belt bag.

You don't need a Couture Week invite to nail this power outfit—get yourself a coordinated shorts suit and a ruffled top to wear underneath, and you're good to go.

Double up on finishing touches for a sweet-but-not-saccharine look. Exhibit A: scalloped shorts under a fringe-lined blazer.

A dramatic blouse and high-heel sandals dress up silky mid-length shorts for day and night wear.

Printed shorts stand out best with an equally eye-grabbing top. Keep the rest of the outfit—like a blazer and slide sandals—a little more dialed-down.

It looks like a run-of-the-mill shirtdress—but wait, there are shorts!

Floral Bermudas work when linked up with a windbreaker and souped-up sneakers.

Embrace the high drama of an allover print with exaggerated sleeves up top and statement shoes below.

Beach-appropriate board shorts become all-day apparel with a slouchy tee and sneakers.

With a textured jacket and bejeweled slides, frayed cutoffs make the cut for a day-date look.

The tiniest sliver of patterned shorts pops when it's peeking out from under an oversize button-down and jacket.

Find your most extra top. (The more dramatic the sleeves, the better.) Tuck it to subdued high-waist shorts. Behold, a lewk.

A denim jacket becomes a going-out top with sleek biker shorts and mesh mules.

Shorts that can pass for a skirt call for a more formal top. Our suggestion? Tuck in a tricked-out polo, and finish with your favorite shades.

Festival fashion that works IRL: primary-color shorts balanced by a boho crop top and low-key sneakers.

If you're stumped on how to rejuvenate a preppy shirtdress, dark denim shorts can help: Unbutton all the way, then layer over a plain tee, shorts, and sneakers.

Suiting with shorts, level two: Look for a cropped jacket in the same shade as your shorts, then add a brightly printed button-down.

That silk duster you usually wear around the house? It naturally doubles as a light layer to contrast leather shorts.