This is a post that I have been SO excited about for SO long. Shopping for denim shorts has always been one of my least favorite activities. Trying on short after short used to realllly bum me out. I consider my body to be ‘in between’. I’m a size 6/8 which means I’m not plus size but I’m also not considered ‘skinny’ either. It’s something that I’ve had to come to terms with as I’ve grown up and slowly but surely, I’m beginning to love my body and all of it’s curves JUST the way they are.
I know the majority of you beautiful women out there would also fit in that ‘in between’ category when it comes to your size. And if I struggle with finding great denim shorts, then odds are, you guys do too! So over the last month, I’ve been scouring the internet and hitting every brick and mortar we have here in Jackson to try on ALL of the denim shorts (I probably tried on close to 50 pairs). I’ve narrowed it down to my top 7.
This guide isn’t JUST for you ladies who are my size. If you’re itty bitty or are rocking those voluptuous curves, this can be a great resource for you too! Just use what you learn here to help you narrow down your choices as well.
One thing that helped me this go-around with my body image when trying on LOADS of shorts was this: Stop telling yourself that YOU’RE the problem. When a pair of shorts didn’t fit me, I didn’t blame myself. If you’re healthy and taking care of your body, then whatever number is on the tag DOESN’T matter. Just get the next size up (or down) and go on about your day. NO ONE sees your size but you and NO ONE is as hard on you as you are on yourself. Find a pair of shorts that makes you feel like a rockstar and WORK IT, SIS!
Just a little motivation to get you started. If you want to watch me try them on, head to my Instagram. I did a try on in my stories today and will save it under it’s own highlight! If you like this post, please leave me some feedback. Let me know which pair you bought and how they worked for you!
To get us started, I want to share my sizing info with you to help you determine how these shorts will fit you.
Kassy’s Sizing.
Normal Size in Jeans – 6 or 28
Normal Size in Jean Shorts – 8 or 29 (I always order up in shorts bc I like them to be roomy)
Waist – 29″
Hips – 41″
Thighs – 23″
Old Navy Boyfriend Shorts
Price: Under $24.99
Wearing: Size 10 (Runs Small)
Wash: From last year but Light is the closest
I grabbed these last year at the end of summer after my baby weight started to come off. They are made of a really stretchy material which in most cases means the shorts run small. I sized up to a 10 in these and I like that I have a little wiggle room in them. These are a great budget friendly option!
American Eagle Mom Short
Price: $49.95 (Currently BOGO 50% off)
Wearing: Size 8
Wash: Light Destroy Wash
I got two of the same style short from AE but ended up having to get two different sizes in the shorts. That goes to show that sizing in the retail world is ALL over the place. I LOVE the wash and distressing on these. They’re super high waisted and have plenty of room in my legs. The only downfall is that the rips get close to giving someone a peekaboo if you’re not careful!
American Eagle Mom Short
Price: $49.95 (Currently BOGO 50% off)
Wearing: Size 10
Wash: Light Blue
This is the second pair of Mom Shorts and these were my favorite of the two. Honestly just because the distressing is ‘safer’ in my opinion. I had to size up in these even though they claim to be the same style as the previous ones. They fit well around my waist and still gave me wiggle room in the leg! Win, WIN!
J. Crew High Rise Eco Denim Shorts
Price: $59.50 (Currently 30% off with code NEWNEW)
Wearing: Size 30 (could have done the 29)
Wash: Faded Indigo
I LOVE these shorts. They’re the perfect classic, tailored denim short. I got a 30 in these but totally wish I would’ve ordered the 29. There was a little too much room in my waist and I’m thinking the smaller size might have fixed that while still leaving space for my legs. I think the wash on these is classic and if you’re not into all the distressing and are just looking for a clean look, these are for you!
Levi 501 Cutoff Shorts
Price: $59.50
Wearing: Size 31
Wash: Waveline
I ordered this pair because SO many people love these shorts. I wanted to see if they were all their cracked up to be. These were my least favorite. They were still cute and I like the wash but they were really short if I pulled them up to where they were supposed to hit on my waist. Plus, they had a major gap in my waistline (like… come on!) and were a bit tighter in my leg. Overall, not for me. But if you have a bit of a straighter figure and thinner legs, these might work perfect for you! I also had to size up a BUNCH in these.
Free People Sofia Cutoff
Price: $68 (Currently on sale for $47.60)
Wearing: Size 31
Wash: Denim Blue
I also had to order two sizes up in this pair but these fit better than the Levi’s in my opinion. I like the wash of these as well. They’re very classic but with a little distressing. These have the button fly (the Levi’s do too) and I LOVE when shorts do. I feel like it flattens out my mom pooch – you ladies know what I’m talking about.
Agolde Parker Shorts
Price: $128 (Yea… I know)
Wearing: Size 29
Wash: Swapmeet
This is THE MOST AMAZING PAIR OF SHORTS EVER. I know that is a big claim but I’m pretty serious. I ended up keeping this pair because they fit me like a glove. Almost ever pair of shorts I’ve ever tried on have either a gap in the back at my waist or were too tight on my thighs. These remedy BOTH of those problems.
I originally ordered these to debunk the obsessions. Similar to the Levi shorts, I kept hearing other bloggers going on and on about these shorts. Most of these girls were much smaller than me, though. So I ordered them hoping to prove that they don’t work for curvier gals. That is 100% not the case. I wish I could tell you guys that the Old Navy and American Eagle shorts were just as good, but they’re just not. I know some of you think that the price is outrageous – I did too before I tried them on. If you’ve been on the fence about these, just go ahead and pull the trigger!
