I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced.

I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced.

      During my college years, while browsing Tumblr, I came across a story about Alexa Chung's go-to travel outfit. Her response has lingered in my mind through the years. She opts for denim hot pants when flying. Denim. Hot. Pants.

      My first reaction was that "hot pants" sounds much more appealing than "shorts." Then I thought, if Alexa Chung can wear denim shorts on a lengthy flight, I can too. The main problem is that I usually don’t wear denim shorts—even when I'm not traveling internationally.

      Typically, I prefer skirts or dresses. Wearing pants feels off for me, and I'm not quite sure why, but especially jeans, seem intimidating. They often feel too casual for my more extravagant style, and I’ve never been able to pull them off with the effortless charm of someone like Alexa Chung. After years of attempting to find the right denim shorts without success, I finally gave up, thinking maybe I was just not cut out to wear hot pants.

      However, as summer 2025 approached, my calendar marked the first major event: Primavera Sound in Barcelona. Unlike festivals such as Governors Ball or Coachella—where you soak in the sun all day—Primavera runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. by the water, providing a pleasant breeze. The environment seemed perfect (aside from the lack of sleep), and for once, I could enjoy my outfits without worrying about sweating. Suddenly, packing became exciting. Perhaps it was my opportunity to finally make denim shorts work for me.

      Denim shorts have long been a festival favorite. Growing up on Tumblr, I saved images of girls relaxing in the grass wearing sequined or studded cut-offs, dreaming of doing the same one day. But when I finally attended those festivals, I always backed out—concerned about the heat, discomfort, or simply not feeling like myself in them. At Primavera, however, I wore denim shorts not just once or twice, but four times. All it took was finding four perfect pairs from Levi's and not letting the unfamiliarity deter me.

      Below, I described how I fully embraced the denim shorts girl I always believed I could be—and the four specific Levi's pairs that made it happen.

      High-waisted denim mom shorts are perfect with cheeky pink cardigans and cute Mary Janes: I instantly fell for the style and wash of these Levi's shorts. Named the '80s mom shorts, their retro vibe matched well with my chosen look—paired with a vintage pink cardigan set from Blumarine and my favorite baby blue Carel Mary Jane heels adorned with little suns and moons.

      Levi's

      80s Mom Women's Shorts

      Carel

      Kina Denim Mary Jane Ballerina Pumps

      Longer men's shorts can be trendy instead of plain: I love the aesthetic of longer shorts, so I styled these relaxed Levi's men's pair that fall just above the knee. I kept the top simple with Levi's incredibly soft and comfy Dreamy Tank Top, which created a perfect, easy-to-dress-up base. I added my favorite chunky Chopova Lowena necklace, tall Labucq Joan boots, a B-Low the Belt grommet bag, and a bright green scrunchie from Maryam Nassir Zadeh worn like a tiara. Why settle for basic when you can go full Charli XCX Brat?

      Levi

      468 Stay Loose 9" Men's Shorts

      B-Low The Belt

      Gia Grommet Leather Hobo

      White go-go boots and heart-shaped bags are too extravagant for most occasions (but not for denim shorts): One thing I quickly learned on my journey with denim shorts is that their simplicity makes them an ideal base for bolder pieces. I love my white Kiki boots by Maryam Nassir Zadeh and my heart-shaped Coach crossbody bag, but they often feel excessive with a funky dress or skirt. With longer Levi's shorts, though, they find the perfect balance—especially paired with a vintage D&G top.

      Levi's

      501 Mid Thigh Women's Shorts

      You can still embrace your feminine side in cutoffs: The biggest misconception I've encountered about denim shorts is that they must be styled with a classic worn-in vintage band tee. Why not pair them with a Molly Goddard tulle top instead? I’ve never felt more confident than when I wore this outfit—the combination of denim and tulle is so playful, and the textures complement each other seamlessly. I finished the look with a pair of vintage Miu Miu Mary Janes and some fun little socks.

      Levi's

      501 Original Fit High Rise Shorts

      Molly Goddard

      Gray Lydia Tank Top

I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced. I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced.

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I’ve tried on countless denim shorts and can confidently say that these four pairs are the best I've ever experienced.

I typically don't wear denim at all.