Types of shorts: denim, Bermuda, bike shorts, skorts and more
Shorts differ in length (from hot pants to Bermudas above the knee), cut (fitted, straight, wide), waist (zip fly, elastic, paperbag) and purpose: everyday, tailored, sport or beach.
Below are the types of shorts drawn on the figure, so you can see where each length ends. Each page covers how to recognise them, where they come from, who and when they suit, what to pair them with.
Denim shortsDenim shorts are short shorts in denim with five pockets, rivets and a zip fly, often with a cut, frayed hem.JortsJorts are long, loose denim shorts to the knee or below, usually with wide legs.Mom shortsMom shorts are high-waisted, relaxed denim shorts with straight legs, often with a rolled hem.Bermuda shortsBermuda shorts are long tailored shorts ending just above the knee, with straight legs and often a pressed crease.Tailored shortsTailored shorts are mid-length shorts cut like suit trousers, with pleats, a pressed crease and slanted pockets.Paperbag shortsPaperbag shorts are high-waisted shorts with a gathered, ruffled top edge like a scrunched paper bag, often tied with a belt.Linen shortsLinen shorts are light, loose summer shorts in linen, usually with an elastic waist and a drawstring.Cargo shortsCargo shorts are loose knee-length shorts with large patch pockets on the sides, closed with a flap.Hot pantsHot pants are close-fitting shorts that end high on the upper thigh, with an inseam of just a few centimetres.Leather shortsLeather shorts are short or mid-length shorts in leather or faux leather, usually high-waisted with straight legs.SkortA skort is a pair of shorts with a skirt panel over the front, so it looks like a skirt but moves like shorts.Bike shortsBike shorts are close-fitting stretch shorts to mid-thigh or lower, with a wide waistband.Running shortsRunning shorts are light, short athletic shorts with an elastic waist and side splits so the legs move freely.Dolphin shortsDolphin shorts are very short athletic shorts with rounded sides and contrast piping along the hem.Basketball shortsBasketball shorts are long, loose athletic shorts to the knee with an elastic waist, often in mesh with side stripes.Sweat shortsSweat shorts are soft lounge shorts in sweatshirt fabric with an elastic waist and a drawstring.Board shortsBoard shorts are long, quick-drying beach shorts with no elastic, a laced front and often a bold print.Swim trunksSwim trunks are short, quick-drying shorts for swimming with an elastic waist, a drawstring and a mesh liner.
How to choose
- Everyday summer: denim, mom and linen shorts.
- Town and a relaxed office: Bermudas, tailored or paperbag shorts with a blazer.
- Sport: running, bike and basketball shorts, a skort for tennis.
- Beach: board shorts, swim trunks and linen.
Lengths
| Length | Where it ends |
|---|---|
| Hot pants | top of the thigh, 2–5 cm inseam |
| Short | above mid-thigh, 8–12 cm |
| Mid-length | mid-thigh, 13–18 cm |
| Bermuda | 2–5 cm above the knee, 20–28 cm |
Related guides
- Types of dresses
- Types of skirts
- Types of pants and jeans
- Types of tops, shirts and sweaters
- Types of coats and jackets
- Types of shoes
- Types of sneakers
- Types of heels
- Types of bags
- Types of hats
- Types of necklines
- Types of sleeves
- Types of collars
- Fabric guide: 40 fabrics, properties and care
- Dress codes: what to wear to an event
- Clothing sizes and measurements
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
01What are the types of shorts?
Denim, jorts, mom, Bermuda, tailored, paperbag, linen, cargo, hot pants, leather, skort, bike, running, dolphin, basketball, sweat, board shorts and swim trunks.
02What are Bermuda shorts?
Long tailored shorts ending 2–5 cm above the knee; they come from Bermuda.
03Which shorts length suits petite people?
Short or mid-length with a high waist: they make the legs look longer.
04How is shorts length measured?
By the inseam: from the crotch to the hem.