The high street is awash with shorts this summer, with styles that work anywhere from beach to the boardroom. But for those of us that aren’t blessed with the endlessly long, sculpted legs of a runway model, the trend can feel more than a little intimidating.
Want to add shorts to your style library, but not sure where to start? Designer Alexandra Miro, the creator of the ultra-flattering Bella short, says: ‘This season summer shorts are making a strong impact, both as a resort wear piece but also as an easy relaxed city wear item.’

‘I created The Bella short, a super flattering mid-thigh version that can be worn with statement swimsuits or otherwise matched with a crisp cotton shirt for wearing out and about around town.’
‘We are all about the tailored short, one that is neither too short nor long and one that sits at the most flattering part of the thigh.
‘A cinched waisted and oversized pockets elevate an otherwise quite simple garment. Many women are more comfortable wearing a short, as exposed to a shorter style skirt, especially when worn in the city.’
Even if a cropped style fills you with fear, there’s plenty of cuts and fits on the rails – from longer city shorts for those who don’t want to flash much thigh, to high-waisted paper bag shapes that show off a nipped-in waist.
Inspired? Here are 25 of our favourites to shop this season:
Grey check, £165, Claudie Pierlot
Pale tan tailored, £210, Diane Von Furstenburg, Mytheresa
White and tan stripe, £22, Dorothy Perkins
Khaki bow shorts, £250, Equipment, Net-A-Porter
Light khaki shorts, £34.95, Gap
Cream button pocket, £19.99, H&M
Pale blue tie wasted pair, £80, J.Crew
White and grey check, £35, Marks & Spencer
White blue and tan stripe, £69.95, Massimo Dutti
Green tied pocketed pair, £250, SEA, Matches Fashion
Long pink, £69, & Other Stories
Striped paper bag, £69, Mint Velvet at House of Fraser
Cream high wasted, £60, Iris & Ink
Long cream shorts, £260, Vince
Long black shorts, £35, Warehouse
Feature by Sophie Dearden