The 9 Most Flattering Shorts Even If You Hate Your Legs
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by The Candidly Team
Ok stop. Just stop it. Your knees aren’t ugly. Your thighs aren’t ugly. Your ankles aren’t ugly.
You know why we hate all those things about ourselves?
Our mothers. Ok our mothers and magazines.
Mothers and magazines are why you won’t wear a dress shorter than a midi length. So today, we say no more. Perhaps our knees aren’t just not ugly, perhaps our knees are …. cute? Perhaps when we see that outline of a pug’s face in our knee dimples we will think “awwww” instead of “ewwwww.”
And then again? Perhaps we won’t. And that’s also fine. Which is why some of these shorts absolutely cover the knee. You go at your own pace, bb.
1. The Linen Shorts That Snatch The Waist
Anthropologie Avery European Linen Stretch Roll Cuff Shorts*
A tailored trouser short is a very smart choice, because every detail makes it flattering on curves: the high waist, the smart pleating, the ideal not-too-long and not-too-short length. It’s like your best-fitting pair of pants … just shorts.
Price: $98
2. The Jean Shorts That Aren't Booty Or Bermuda
The Curvy Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Short*
SO high waisted, SUCH generous leg holes. The length is perfect to give you full bum coverage without being a frump fest. Madewell is just doing some very smart things with shorts. Most of their styles, like this one, come in curvy. And the size range is excellent.
Price: $78
3. The Clean-Girl Shorts That Cover Your Knees
Aritzia Babaton Touchpoint Short - PowerLinen™*
You could wear them with a tank to the beach or with a loafer and a blazer to work. These shorts are very smartly tailored to look luxe and flattering.
Price: $118
4. The Magic Fabric Shorts That Are Excellent On Curves
The Colette Shorts by Maeve: Magic Fabric Edition
We have been talking non-stop about how magical the pants version of these shorts are. They’re made from the stretchiest, most smoothing material. The pockets in front are perfect on belly pooches, and the legs go out just enough to make us feel like we have enough comfort and coverage. They come in plus, petite, and a handful of colors, 3 of which are currently in our cart.
Price: $88
5. The Perfect-Length Pull-On Shorts
Gap 6" Linen-Blend Easy Shorts*
Easy linen shorts that give you great shape are just a necessity in the heat. Especially with a pull-on elastic waist. These come in many colors and striped versions and size up to XXL.
Plus, you can turn any pair into a matching set!
Price: $34
6. The Choose-Your-Length and Fit, A-Line Denim Shorts
Nuuds 5" A-Line Vintage Cut-Off Short*
These shorts brilliantly come in two lengths and two fits: one for those of us who carry weight in our hips and thighs and one for those of us who carry weight in our bellies, which ensures every pair fits to absolute perfection.
Price: $98
7. The Extra Flattering Utility Sorts
J.Crew Utility-Pocket Short In Sateen*
Glides over your hips. Nips you in at the waist. Pocket placement makes butts look like peaches. And the size range is amazing.
Price: $98
8. The Chic Skort
Quince 100% European Linen Skort
Skorts aren’t what they used to be. They look just like skirts front and back but eliminate the fear of flashing the street should you drop your keys. This wrap skort is an elevated alternative to shorts and comes in lots of colors along with the gingham, which we’re pretty wild about.
Price: $44
9. The Smoothing, Buttery Bike Shorts
Beyond Yoga Spacedye™ Keep Pace 7" Pocket Short*
Do we personally love bike shorts? No. In fact we wrote a SCREED about it here. Do bike shorts work for some people? Yes. And a HIGH RISE is truly genius. And there’s none better than this one which is wildly size inclusive. Oh and the colors. *Chef’s kiss.* You literally will not believe how flattering these are. Or how comfortable.
Price: $78
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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