13 Perfect Plus-Size Shorts In Every Style You Could Possibly Want
Image from Universal Standard
by The Candidly Team
It may seem like there isn’t much to shorts. In every sense.
Shorts are one of those meh items of clothing where it feels like we just need one solid, reliable pair to get us through the scorchier days of the year, and be done with it. End of story. Bring on the dresses.
But a single pair of shorts actually has a lot going on. The length. The shape. The stretch. The pocket placement. And ALL of it needs to be good to make them even remotely bearable to wear.
Any pair of shorts we put on our bodies must meet a checklist of almost-OCD criteria. Whether we’re wearing them to look poolside chic or deeply loungey or even sort of sexy-ish, we want shorts that are going to be comfortable and flattering. In every possible position. Without an ounce of adjustment required.
And so, we went out and found the best in class for every pair of shorts you could want - all with an extended size range - all very, very cute and blessedly eaaaasy to wear.
1. The Stretchy Scuba Shorts
Good American Scuba Drawstring Shorts
Possibly the best fitting and feeling shorts, especially on curves. And if the word “scuba” means nothing non-ocean-related to you, here’s what it refers to in this case - a stretchy, smoothing, almost formal-ish fabric with just the right weight to them. These shorts essentially feel like loungewear but have a “nicer” look that makes them a go-to staple.
Sizes up to 5XL.
Price: $90
2. The Chic Tailored Shorts
There is some sort of magic in the material of these shorts, which has juuuust enough stretch, softness, and hold to make us feel unselfconscious and comfortable. We love that they come in fun colors, though you inexplicably have to go HERE to find them in black. And we appreciate that the smooth, pocketed front doesn’t feel at all suctioned or pinchy. It’s a perfect short for putting together chic, perhaps slightly 50s throwback looks and for balancing out looser fit button-downs and tees.
Sizes to 26 Plus.
Price: $80
3. The Perfect Jean Shorts
Good American Good ’90s Shorts
Say what you will about anything Kardashian-adjacent but Good American jeans are very good at making clothes that look very good on curves. These shorts are perhaps their finest example.
Sizes up to 30 Plus.
Price: $129
4. The Easy Paperbag Shorts
Universal Standard Harbor Stretch Twill Paperbag Shorts
These are the shorts you wear to actual occasions - a weekend brunch, a fancy picnic, or a July (iced) coffee date. They have the ideal A-line, with plenty of room but also the clean lines that allow them to be dressed up or down.
Sizes up to 4XL.
Price: $128
5. The Smoothing Bicycle Shorts
Beyond Yoga Spacedye High Waisted 7" Biker Short
We’re willing to go out on a limb and say that anyone who lives by the vow to never wear bike shorts has never tried these bike shorts. There is no material more meltingly smooth, breathable yet supportive, and divinely buttery soft. And fine, if we can’t convince you to do the shorts, at least consider the leggings.
Sizes up to 4X.
Price: $70
6. The Pleated “Formal” Shorts
We’ve been nothing short of shouting from the rooftops about the high-waisted, dreamily drapey pants version of this style. Behold! But the same flattering principles apply to these shorts, which are ideal for those of us who 1) do not love showing our legs and 2) need something a little less casual to keep us from sweating into a miserable puddle on 87 degree days where we still need to look “dressed.”
Sizes up to 26 Plus.
Price: $98
7. The Live-In Sweat Shorts
Girlfriend Collective 50/50 Sweat Short
For those of you who work from home and live in sweats, here is your singlehanded solution to the months of June through September.
Sizes up to 6XL.
Price: $62
8. The Long Jean Shorts
Universal Standard Bae Denim Shorts
Long shorts typically make us feel like visor-sporting tourists. Not so with this stretchy denim pair from Universal Standard. Wear it with a ribbed tank and a light as air button-down for the ultimate warm weather uniform.
Price: $84
9. The Dreamy Pull-On Linen Shorts
J. Crew New Seaside Short In Linen Blend
J. Crew isn’t great about always showcasing curvy models, but their size range is actually excellent. And their styles, especially for basics are superb. Such is the case with these shorts, which are a soft, light linen with a flattering cut and a comfy, high, elastic waist. We wear these with everything but especially like them over THIS life-changing swimsuit and with any of THESE summery sandals. Foolproof enough to own in 3 colors and be done with all other shorts.
Sizes up to 3X.
Price: $45 - $59
10. The Sporty Skort
Girlfriend Collective Midnight Sport Skort
Skorts are cool again, guys. Ok, we don’t actually know if they’re cool, but this one is high-rise, sweat-wicking, and compressive enough to look and feel very good on our bodies. So we wear it to do active outdoor things like walk our dog and hike and play pickleball, but also to just lie back and enjoy the cute, breezy feeling of a miniskirt with zero risk of accidentally flashing a park full of strangers.
Price: $62
11. The Soft Beyond Reason Lounge Shorts
Cozy Earth Women’s Ultra-Soft Bamboo Jogger Shorts
Cozy Earth has unquestionably dominated the field of producing the softest, best quality jogger around. So when they used the same heaven-sent material to make a cute pair of shorts, we were first in line. Our obsession even inspired them to offer us a code!
Get 35% off using the code CANDIDLY.
Sizes up to XXXL.
Price: $85
12. The Everyday Chino Short
Old Navy High-Waisted OGC Pull-On Chino Shorts for Women
What makes a nice-fitting chino short our unequivocal favorite chino short? A stretchy, elastic pull-on waist that you can only see in the back, because the front is all tailored and smooth. It comes in a bunch of great colors at a price where we can afford to buy them in more than one.
Sizes up to 4X.
Price: $15 - $30
13. The Ideal Active Shorts
Girlfriend Collective Gazelle Shorts
And finally, the athletic short…that’s cute enough to also wear for any non-active occasion. It comes in several very nice colors, but black is a great choice for wearing everyday…which we do…with THIS perfect ribbed tank.
Sizes up to 6XL.
Price: $55
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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