Before you know it, school will be out, and summer vacation will be in full swing, which means longer days, lots of fun and hot weather are just around the corner. In some parts of the country, cold-weather wardrobes have already been tucked away, and the tanks and shorts are being shaken out and tried on. If you have a daughter who’s had a growth spurt or two this school year, chances are high you’ll be on the market for some new shorts soon. If so, prepare to be a little dismayed.
There’s no shortage of shorty shorts, and while those can be cute, they’re not necessarily designed for summer fun. The trend of adult styles being shrunken down to kids’ sizes is by no means a new one, but they aren’t likely to appeal girls and tweens who are less into impractical fashion and more into getting out and active during the summer — or to their parents. If you’re wondering where all the shorts that don’t require a crowbar to get into and a magnifying glass to see are, no worries. You’ve come to the right place.
Neon French terry Bermudas
Shorts that come in sizes other than “booty” tend to be one of three styles: midis, which hit midthigh; skimmers, which touch the knee; and Bermudas, which fall somewhere between those two lengths. These shorts from Osh Kosh are Bermudas and made out of extremely comfy French terrycloth, making them perfect for an after-swim wardrobe change. (Osh Kosh, $6)
Denim boy shorts
These boy shorts are in fact Bermuda-length shorts in denim, which makes them great for a wedgie-free bike ride this summer. (Abercrombie Kids, $30)
1969 denim braid culottes
Ah, the culotte. They actually break the three-lengths rule, but girls with long legs will love long, loose culottes for their tendency to skin-proof summer knees. (Gap Kids, $35)
1969 deconstructed boy-fit shorts
“Boy fit” also refers to the way shorts and pants labeled that way sit on the hips and through the seat. They’re a relaxed fit, so if your girl is into outdoor sports this summer, she’ll probably be more than comfortable in a pair of boy-fit shorts. (Gap Kids, $27)
Casual cargo shorts
Cargos will always be the shorts of choice for bug collectors and scavenger hunt champs. These are from Girls Will Be, a company that makes fantastic clothes for girls that go beyond pink and hold up to tween torture all summer long. (Girls Will Be, $24)
Girls’ Bermuda shorts
Lands’ End is great at merging feminine styles with well-made function, so if you’ve got a little prepster at home, pair these Bermuda shorts with a set of slip-on nautical shoes, and she’ll be happy to live in them all summer long. (Lands’ End, $23)
Linen midi shorts
Midis are a great choice for girls who tend toward the girlier styles, because they’ve got enough fabric to be comfortable but don’t drop as far as the knee. This pair is made with a linen blend, which makes them the perfect fabric weight for summer. (Old Navy, $10)
Girls’ cuffed Bermuda shorts
Bermudas with prerolled cuffs are probably going to be a favorite summer short for as long as summers are a thing. These are just the right price, and they come in girls’ plus sizes as well, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t stock up on a bunch. (Kohl’s, $13 – $17)
Hello Gorgeous girls’ belted denim shorts
Walmart might not be the first place you think of when someone asks you to recommend cute clothes, but these Hello Gorgeous shorts in a midi length prove that the retailer has come a long way from its pleat-front, elastic-waist days. (Walmart, $9)
Belted linen-blend midi
Here’s another pair of midlength shorts in a breezy linen blend. They’re belted, which is a cute detail for tween girls who are a little more fashion-minded this summer. (Old Navy, $16)
Knit denim Bermuda shorts
Knit denim is probably most familiar to you in its jeggings avatar, but the comfy fabric works just as well in shorts for tween girls. Comfortable slip-on Bermudas like these make early-morning summer camp arrivals a snap. (Kohl’s $13 – $15)
Girls’ stretch twill midi
Stretch twill is another fabric that’s great for kids. Shorts in stretch twill are more flexible than denim, so girls who live on their bikes this summer will be most comfortable with a pair like this one in a midi. (L.L. Bean, $27)
Printed denim skimmer shorts
Skimmers are a summer staple that conjure up images of wading in tide pools or becoming the reigning sovereign of the neighborhood hopscotch course. These cute printed denim shorts should skim your daughter’s knees, hence the name. (The Children’s Place, $10)
Paper bag shorts
Paper bag shorts and pants refer to a specific type of waistline that’s loosely gathered like, well, a paper bag. They’re comfy as all get-out and a bit more stylish than your standard pair of Bermudas. (Old Navy, $12)
Relaxed mesh shorts
Once school is out and dress codes are forgotten, you’re bound to see roving packs of tween boys outfitted in super-casual mesh basketball shorts. They aren’t any less comfortable for girls, and retailers are starting to catch on that boys aren’t the only ones who need athletic shorts that come in fabrics other than spandex. (Old Navy, $7)
The shorts
If you haven’t swung by Primary, you need to do that ASAP. We’ll wait. The company offers logo- and frills-free practical clothing in a rainbow of colors. We love their midi-Bermuda hybrid short, shown here in raspberry. (Primary, $18)
Perfect play shorts
Speaking of clothing companies that know what they’re doing, here’s another pair of shorts from Girls Will Be, which ditches chafe-y denim and sparkling embellishments for a no-nonsense, relaxed-fit, knit waist in comfortable jersey. (Girls Will Be, $24)
Rib knit-waist plaid woven shorts
Summer plaids are always in style, and they’re one of the prints that just happen to look better on Bermuda shorts than any other cut, so these knit-waist woven shorts will be a great option for any kid looking to add some variety beyond shades of denim into their summer wardrobe. (The Children’s Place, $9)
Unionbay Laurie
Style isn’t the only thing to consider when you’re picking out summer clothes. Kids’ clothes have to hold up to torture, and a woven short like this pair is definitely up to the task. (Kohl’s, $20)
North Face argali hybrid shorts
No roundup of summer bottoms could possibly be complete without a pair of board shorts. They’re made with polyester microfiber, which means they dry off quick, so your girl can take a dip in the pool and then be on her way for the rest of a summer afternoon without heading home for a change of clothes. (Dick’s, $35)
Vigoss Aztec Bermudas
If your kid is less than thrilled about a rainbow of denim Bermuda options, shorts with an embellishment like the one on this pair’s cuffs ought to mix it up nicely. (Amazon, $19)
Tea Collection ‘Sunny Day’ French terry shorts
Tea Collection makes a ton of fashion-forward shorts in a variety of lengths, fits, styles and prints for tween girls, and we love these adorable pleated midi shorts in French terry. (Nordstrom, $20)
Squeeze sateen jegging shorts
Sateen isn’t the most breathable fabric, but the look it creates in a variety of shades is sure to make any fashion-minded tween very happy. Double points go to these Bermuda shorts for their dual-color rib knit waistband. (J.C. Penney, $21)
Susie skimmer shorts
This pair of skimmer shorts is beyond cute, and they’re made by Levi’s, which means they’ll withstand a good amount of summer fun before you have to retire them. (Levi’s, $25)
Girls’ Double L jean shorts
We’ll wrap it up with a classic-fit midi from L.L. Bean. This midlength pair of shorts is well made and will provide coverage on even the leggiest tweens in a cut and fit that won’t go out of style. (L.L. Bean, $27)
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