12 Best Jean Shorts, Tested by Style Experts (2024)

Whether you want more coverage, you have long legs or you're looking to diverge from the typical jean shorts style, the dad-short silhouette may be for you. Emma Seymour, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst, says she purchased these shorts from Abercrombie on a whim, and their "perfect classic denim look" has quickly made these her favorite pair. "They have a super high-waisted fit and are looser through the hips and legs for a flattering look," Seymour says. "I’m on the tall side, so denim shorts can sometimes be way too short on me, but these were just the right length."

Choose from sizes 23–37 and 10 different washes, including a blue pinstripe pair and distressed denim. Don't worry about sizing up or down as many online reviewers say they fit true to size, and Seymour says the already-looser fit prevented the shorts from riding up her thighs like other pairs she has tried.

Fans of the iconic Levi 501 Original Fit jeans, which were the first jeans created in 1873, will be happy to know the brand also makes shorts in the same fit with a higher rise for extra comfort. These budget-friendly shorts are available in a whopping 44 washes and distressed styles in sizes 0–39 plus — and they're all on Amazon with quick Prime shipping. Several GH Institute editors and textile experts love Levi's, and Amanda Constantine, Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst, highly recommends these 100% cotton shorts, calling them "the quintessential pair of denim shorts."

The shorts may feel a little rigid and snug when first pulling them on since they're made with 100% cotton and no stretch, Constantine says, "They take shape beautifully and break in with each wear." Some online reviews do recommend checking the reviews to decide whether to size up or down depending on the color you buy, as they may not be true to size.

Gone are the days of uncomfortably tight denim short-shorts. These vintage, '80s-inspired shorts are our Assistant Commerce Editor's favorite pair of all time. "I'm usually more of a skirt person in the summer because it's too hot to wear denim, but these are my go-to shorts," she says. "I wear them with cropped T-shirts, and I love how the A-line silhouette creates a flared-out shape."

With a 10-inch high rise, which Constantine explains as the "distance from the crotch to the waistband," the waistband goes past your belly button while remaining short in length for a cheeky style. The shorts are made of 100% cotton, and our Assistant Commerce Editor can confirm there "isn't much stretch in the waistband and they can ride up as you sit down," so be sure to order them in your true size or one size up if you prefer a looser fit.

While searching for jeans for different body types, our testers loved Good American's full-length version of these shorts. The tight-fitting shorts have a cuffed hem in the front with a raw hem in the back for extra length. This way, you can enjoy the look of extra-short shorts while making sure your bum is fully covered.

The high-rise shorts are available in sizes 00–26 plus, and customers love the stretch and coverage, with one writing, "[The] fit is sincerely important to me because denim usually gives me a gap as my waist is smaller than my hips. Not only does the denim feel luxe but it hugs me in just the right places!"

If mom jeans are your go-to style, you'll love these mom jean shorts that will create a similar silhouette. "The crossover waist helps accentuate your hips, just as mom jeans are intended to," says Grace Wu, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst. While our experts have not tested these particular shorts, the Textiles Lab did test American Eagle's Strigid Mom Jeans, and Wu says testers approved of the rigid frontside and stretchy backside of the jeans. The shorts are available in medium or light wash, both with distressed details and frayed hems.

The brand also released a curvy version that does not have the crossover waistband but instead features the brand's Comfort Stretch Waistband that properly hugs your waist while the rest of the denim remains rigid.

If you are looking for an all-around simple pair of jean shorts, these will do the trick. Seymour prefers the High Rise Dad Short (our best overall pick), but if you prefer a shorter hemline and tighter fit, she recommends going for the brand's Mom Short. "They are much shorter and snug to the body for a sexier look," she says, prompting her to "really only wear them on the beach or boardwalk."

Made from the brand's Vintage Stretch Denim, these shorts will feel high-quality and durable, rather than thin and flimsy. Seymour says she likes the slits on the side and the distressed look, but you can also grab a pair with cuffed hems if fraying isn't your thing. Available in sizes 23–37 and five wash colors, we love the medium-high rise, and Seymour says the shorts seem to fit true to size.

Sometimes, you just have to let loose and break free from tight high-rise pants. These relaxed-fitting denim shorts slouch lower on the waist and have larger leg openings for a baggy style without a long dad-short inseam. Seymour still wears these shorts regularly after Etica sent them her way three years ago: "They have a looser fit and a super soft fabric that is almost drapey. I like the distressed, relaxed look that’s ideal for a beach trip."

Wear these shorts in black or the Desert Island wash with a bathing suit or pair it with your favorite bodysuit — either way, you'll feel airy and breathable on a hot summer day with these loose jean shorts made from cotton and Refriba, which the brand states is "an upcycled cellulose fiber made with recycled cotton." Keep in mind the shorts may look different on you than shown in pictures as Seymour says they hang a "little loose" on her and "fit more low rise than on the model."

Step out in these tight denim shorts for a night out or a day at the beach. Wherever you're going, you'll look extra chic and sleek in this pair from Madewell. Our Updates Editor, Elizabeth Berry, raves about Madewell's jeans and calls her high-rise, mid-length denim shorts from the brand the "best thing since white bread." Unfortunately, her specific pair is discontinued, but this similar pair is highly rated by online customers, and we love the length and raw hems. "They're the perfect length. I don't feel like I'm showing too much off but also feel really confident in them," one online customer says.

They're made with a bit of elastane for a little stretch and breathing room, and these shorts also feature Madewell's "Magic Pockets," which the brand's website states is an "extra layer of ultra-smoothing, holds-you-in sorcery in the front pockets" to help keep you snug and comfy.

Jeans that create the illusion of lifting a flat bum typically use unique hemlines and higher rises. Shorts are no different and this pair with a higher waistband, curved seams and looser leg holes nails it when it comes to booty-lifting benefits. Our Assistant Commerce Editor has the shorts in the distressed light wash style and loves how stylish these shorts look while still remaining comfortable. "Looser jeans can completely swallow me, but I like the comfort of baggier clothing, so these shorts are a combo of giving me some shape and accentuating my figure."

The hem is a bit longer and the leg holes are slightly larger than a tight pair, so the shorts "do not ride up" as you sit, according to our Assistant Commerce Editor. She also loves that the fabric feels thinner, which helps her stay cool in hot weather, but advises everyone to leave these shorts at home when you go to the beach because "they bunched up along the middle when I wore them with a bathing suit." Available in five different colors and distressed options, but we especially love the pair with floral embroidery around the pockets.

Memorial Day Weekend calls for breaking out the white clothing, but the fit and comfort of these jean shorts will make you want to wear them beyond Labor Day for sure. Wu used to have a pair from Paige that she loved with a raw hem and similar details and design to these Dani Shorts. "I loved the high-waisted fit and A-line silhouette. They were really comfortable and flattering," she says. Wu also remembers them being thick and well-lined, which means you can wear these white shorts without worrying your underwear might be visible through them.

Lexie Sachs, the Executive Director of Strategy and Operations at the GH Institute, also has a pair of denim shorts from Paige that she likes, but she says, "The fraying hasn’t held up so great," so try to limit the number of times you run these through the washer and dryer if you can.

Our editors haven’t tried this style yet, but the Textiles Lab loves Gap for its affordable prices and extensive size range, especially for petite or tall jeans. These new, mid-rise shorts from Gap are no exception, with sizes from 24–35 in petite, regular and tall inseams. These mid-rise shorts from Gap are the perfect happy medium between cheeky shorts and Bermuda shorts. The looser fit and stretchier fabric that includes 1% spandex plus the larger leg holes all make for an airier, more comfortable fit, and the cotton is breathable for hot summer days.

One online reviewer shared that they "loved the length, the fit, and the way they keep their shape." Some reviewers found that these shorts run bigger than the brand's other bottoms, so you may want to size down for a better fit.

Our textile experts and fashion-loving editors are fans of Everlane for its sustainable denim and LEED-certified factory. While we haven't tried these specific shorts, Seymour recommends the brand for jeans and shorts alike, and this pair earned great reviews from customers.

These black A-line denim shorts are similar to Levi's 80s Mom Women's Shorts, but Everlane's version features a longer length that hits at about mid-thigh. While the longer length, high rise and 100% cotton material are notable wins, these shorts stand out for their ability to fit well on wider hips. "As someone with wider hips and a smaller waist, shorts that are comfortable and you’re not constantly tugging down as they ride up are so hard to find. These shorts are it," writes one online customer. Customers also love how these shorts "minimize chafing" and "don't dig into my waist."

We spoke with experts from our Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab, such as Emma Seymour, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst; Grace Wu, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst and Amanda Constantine, Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst. Our textiles experts test and review all types of fabric and materials, including clothing, mattresses, pillowcases, bags, shoes and yes, even denim. When trying and testing jeans or clothing, we consider factors like comfort, fabric composition, stretch, pockets, buttons, seams, wash colors and size ranges.

When it came to jean shorts, our experts and editors recommended their personal favorites and denim brands they truly love. We also scoured online user reviews to gauge the general experience with buying and wearing each pair of jean shorts.