When you think of the term 'jorts,' you're probably brought back to the '90s, when everyone was rocking baggy long denim shorts, or you remember them from numerous rom-coms for their easy and comfortable appeal.
However, when we moved into the early 2000s and 2010s, short shorts became the popular style with brands like Abercrombie and Hollister taking center stage. And in today's cyclical trend world, jorts are officially back and trending (again). Search for 'jorts' has been a breakout search term in recent weeks, as well with many retailers releasing longer denim options.
We spoke with style experts and jort-loving editors about why they love the trend and styles to shop. Read below to find your new favorite pair of jorts and shop similar denim styles.
Best distressed option$21.99$44.99
What are 'Jorts' and how to style them?
The term 'jorts' is exactly what it sounds like, a slang mix of jeans and shorts. Style expert Nikki Venus says, "Jorts are just longer, knee-length denim shorts, and yes ... they’re officially back in style." She also notes that they are gaining popularity because she believes people are drawn to the "simple, comfy and meets cool style. Jorts are way more relaxed and easier to move around in than shorter denim cut-offs."
Celebrity stylist Kim Appelt declares denim shorts a wardrobe staple and one of the building blocks of your closet that you can commonly reach for. For example, she says, “Let’s say it’s hot out and I don’t need to be too dressy, but I need to get dressed and out the door quickly, a staple would be a pair of jean shorts.”
When it comes to finding a pair of jorts that you can love, Appelt says the most important thing to pay attention to is your comfort level. Venus echoes this by saying, "They give off that effortless vibe while still keeping you covered and comfortable, especially for folks who want to show some style without showing their legs."
Stylist Jessica Cadmus suggests looking for a pair of jorts that are flattering on your figure. Appelt agrees and shares some advice on what to look for based on your shape.
- Hourglass: Appelt describes an hourglass figure as having a very small waist, so when buying jean shorts, shoppers would want to opt for a tight waist and high-rise silhouette to accentuate their shape.
- Pear: For a pear-shaped body, Appelt recommends jean shorts with a wider leg opening to balance out their proportions.
- Apple: For an apple body shape, Appelt suggests looking for a high rise, elastic waistband and an A-line cut. The wider legs of the A-line cut are going to help the illusion of a small waist because it’s “going to make it look like your waist is going in where the elastic is.”
- Rectangle: A rectangular figure is normally very lean and long, so people with this body shape can add volume and dimension with high-waisted jean shorts and wider legs.
When it comes to styling shorts, it is pretty easy to dress them up or down. Venus says, "For an elevated casual look, try pairing your jorts with a crisp button-down (sleeves rolled, of course) and a sleek pair of slides ... It’s giving 'grown and stylish without trying too hard. Or if you’re leaning into a more festival vibe look, rock them with a crop top and your favorite sneakers, comfy and yet cute."
Best jorts according to experts and editors
Uniqlo is known for great, affordable staples, and their styles often sell out quickly. When Shop TODAY editorial assistant Erica Marrison, saw that Uniqlo came out with jorts, she said she ran to grab them for summer, "I’ve been looking for the right pair of jorts for a while — ideally, I’d like to be able to dress them up or down. I like that I could wear them casually with a tee and sandals, or dress them up with a button down, ballet flats and jewelry."
If you're dipping your toes into the jorts trend, these shorts are a great option to get you started because they are on sale and come in a wide range of sizes. I [Shigo] have had these lighter denim cut-off jorts on my wishlist for a while, and now that they are finally on sale, I think I am going to pull the trigger. I love the distressed bottom for a beachy look.
I am a big fan of Hollister's jeans, and I own these jorts in their full denim style and love them. The quality feels way more expensive than their price tag, and while the words 'low-waisted' can be scary, they are actually super comfortable and flattering on my curvier frame.
It's officially white denim season, so you have to grab these white cut-off jorts. These have also been on my wishlist for a long time because the reviews are so good. One customer notes, "These shorts have a low-swung fit and high fashion attitude!" These would be a great pair to dress up with a summer blouse and kitten heels.
I own a couple of pairs of Abercrombie jorts, and while my favorite pair is selling out fast, you can still find great longer denim options on their site. The light wash pair is mid-rise, so they fit comfortably on your waist, and the wide leg helps add a unique structure to your jorts.
Venus says that this pair of baggy jorts from Madewell is on her buy-list because they "offer more coverage without sacrificing style." The style has a frayed bottom that makes them look more worn-in and vintage.
Venus also recommends this pair from Free People, which is a bit more structured with pleats at the top of the jeans and cargo-short features on the pocket. This pair could easily be dressed up, "depending on your mood or your plans," according to Venus.
Good American has been a pioneer in the denim space for its commitment to providing inclusive fashion options based on inclusive sizing. This pair of jorts has a tailored fit that is flattering on different body types.
Brown recommends Good American because the brand “does a great job of cutting shorts to accommodate curves and also offering a bit of stretch, which helps with the fit.” Appelt also adds, “Every time I recommend them to someone, because I have friends and clients who are curvy, they swear by them.”
Agolde says these jorts were designed for an upsized fit that is a more relaxed look with "fading, whiskering, and a raw hem for a perfectly worn-in look."
Appelt and Brown previously recommended similar distressed baggy shorts from Agolde that are no longer available. They praise the brand for its flattering silhouette on multiple different body types and its unique stylistic takes on denim shorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Jorts' are long denim shorts that were made popular in the '80s and '90s and recently came back into style with spikes in Google searches.
Comfort is key because people love how comfortable and stylish they are. Experts say to look at material, length, waist height and other features to make sure you find the perfect fit.
How we chose
Shop TODAY’s recommendations for the best jorts came from the advice and guidance of stylists and opinions from editors. With shape, comfort and price in mind, we found the best pairs of jorts for your style and preferences.
Meet the experts
- Kim Appelt is a personal and celebrity stylist who wrote the Amazon bestselling book “Style for Everybody,” which focuses on creating a classic and timeless wardrobe for individuals based on their body, style and life.
- Jessica Cadmus is a fashion stylist and personal shopper based in New York City.
- Samantha Brown is a professional and celebrity stylist who works to refine and elevate the personal style of her clients.
- Nikki Venus is a style coach who has been featured in many outlets for her advice on trends.
