12 of the best: summer shorts to suit all body shapes and ages

“For the Irish population, shorts are always going to be a bit daunting, because they are so the embodiment of summer,” says stylist Cathy O’Connor (@cathyocstylist).

“Most of us have that experience of going ‘Oh my God, what’s happened to my skin over the winter?’ You’re suddenly showing a part of your body that you don’t normally show, so it’s understandable, the kind of challenge that it can be. And I think for many of us, as we get older, the texture of our skin isn’t what it once was, so that is another challenge.”

They may be outside of your comfort zone, but tracking down a decent pair that strikes the right balance between super-short and super-frumpy can help you feel more comfortable and confident. Plus, Cathy argues they can slot into your regular rotation with ease.

“Shorts are the perfect backdrop to create your own kind of style. You can wear them with a striped T-shirt, for that very beach, nautical, classic kind of combination, or you can dress them up so they look really glamorous,” she explains. “They can be such a neutral thing in themselves, it’s just about what you wear them with.”

We asked Irish stylists for their top picks for summer shorts to suit all ages and body shapes.

​Mink brown tailored shorts, €41.50, Next

“Shorts don’t have to be the casual holiday choice — the fact that high street brands like Next are incorporating them into their tailoring stories creates a sharp, clean aesthetic,” says fashion broadcaster Lorna Weightman (@styleisleirl), highlighting this pair as a standout style. The lightweight, Viscose-polyester blend shorts are cut to Bermuda length, and are available in sizes 6-26, as well as tall sizes.

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Julia shorts, €109.99, fabiennechapot.com

Cathy names this pair of apple green longline shorts as a favourite, made from a linen-viscose blend. Available in EU sizes 34-44 online, the Amsterdam brand’s shorts are also sold in Killarney boutique macbees.ie.

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Linen shorts, €93, jigsaw-online.com

“If your bottom half is more curved than your top half, then opt for darker colourways to balance out your proportions,” suggests Samara Prentice, a personal stylist and image consultant (evolvebysamara.com).

“I’d recommend looking at the composition of fabrics too. For example, linen will have more stretch than cotton so will have a little give.”

This pair from Jigsaw, in black, blue or dark green, come in sizes 6-18 and can be paired with a matching shirt too.

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High waist denim shorts, €25.95, Zara

“On the school run, shopping or going to a match, a pair of classic white shorts teamed with a striped knit or hoodie is a super-easy wear,” says Maria Carton, a style advisor based in Roscommon (mariacartonstylist.ie). “For me, Zara hits the sweet spot between affordability and style.” They have a denim pair, sold in sizes 4-18.

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Tailored linen shorts, €69, & Other Stories

“Shorts should end at the slimmest part of the thigh to slim the entire legline,” suggests Limerick stylist Fiona Doyle (fionadoyle.ie). “Loose wide cuts that flare off the thighs will make thighs look smaller and slimmer. High rise shorts will elongate the leg, giving the illusion legs start higher up, so are a favourite of mine and a lot of my clients.

“A high waist can also create a smaller waist by hitting closer to the natural waist, which is often the narrowest and draws the eye there.”

She likes this wheat-coloured pair from & Other Stories, which comes in EU sizes 32-44 and also in black.

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High-waisted pleat front shorts, €35, M&S

“The most appealing feature of shorts for me are details — pleats and box pleats, belt loops, pockets and elasticated waists,” says Lorna, pointing to ab M&S style, available in soft green or navy and in sizes 6-24.

“These subtleties make shorts more interesting to wear, especially if you favour styling them with more minimal tops like the classic plain tee or shirt.”

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Relaxed fit long pleated short, €299, ralphlauren.ie

“For rectangle shapes — this is my shape — I always opt for mid to high waist shorts. Pleated shorts with wide legs give you curves,” Fiona says, adding that neutral shades such as this tan-coloured pair can offer more versatility when styling.

The mid-rise style is made from a blend of cotton twill and wool, in sizes 2-22.

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Flag relaxed Bermuda shorts, €149.90, Tommy Hilfiger

“Taller ladies suit longer ‘city style’ shorts, finishing just above the knee,” Samara says, pointing to Tommy Hilfiger as a trusted brand, selling EU sizes 32-46. “I do believe in investing in quality garments especially when it comes to shorts. Not only will the garment last longer but the cut and fabric will be of higher quality creating a more polished look.”

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Psophia shorts, €167, macbees.ie

“A longer cut, almost to the knee, can look super smart,” says Cathy, recommending this roomy 100pc cotton pair from Spanish brand Psophia. It’s worth noting that the size range is limited (EU sizes 34-38).

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High waist linen shorts, €59, arket.com

“My go-to styling is to pair high-waisted, cotton, loose-fitting shorts, like these from Arket, with a crisp white shirt, buttons undone with layered jewellery for a classic style option that takes you beyond the beach,” says Lorna of this pair, which come in EU sizes 32-44.

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High waist fabric double-layer shorts, €25.95, Zara

If you want something bolder, Maria suggests seeking out richer colours like this cobalt blue pair (sizes XS-XXL). They can be dressed up with the brand’s matching satin shirt, or tone it down with a plain white or black top.

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Hewey tailored shorts, €195, Reiss

“I love tailored shorts in vibrant colourways,” says Samara. “The short suit has been an interesting trend over the last few seasons and I’ve really enjoyed playing around with my colour palette and wearing sea green with magenta.” These pink shorts (sizes 4-18) can be teamed with a tailored single-breasted blazer to complete the look.

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