Of recent, shorts of Brobdingnagian proportions have been taking over. From bermudas to board shorts and jorts—summer dressing has reveled in blown-out shapes and elongated silhouettes, all big and breezy to beat the heat. But for those like Charli XCX, the teen-tiny shorts—hot pants that found a home in both ’50s Americana and mid aughts indie sleaze circles—reign supreme.
Appearing at a pop-up to promote her latest album Music, Fashion, Film in Los Angeles, Charli stepped out in an all-black look: a one cap-sleeved, drapey Paloma Wool top, paired with black buttoned mini-shorts, and styled with a Saint Laurent Niki shopping tote, shield shades, and black patent Studio Alessia mules.
The short-shorts were a signature during Charli’s brat era. On and offstage, she wore R and M Leathers Tammy shorts, a hot pink pair by Fernanda Castro, and ruffly mini bloomers by Kyriacos. She played with proportions by adding a pair of stompy, thick-barreled Fidan Novruzova boots and teensy bikinis and crop tops. It’s a cheeky piece that fits into the Charli XCX school of style (as primed by super-stylist Chris Horan, who is doing similarly good things with Adela right now), and only augments the looks of Music, Fashion, Film: sexy, self-referential, and faithful to the Charli hallmarks.
Others are staying true to the leggy silhouette too, across the style spectrum. Zoe Kravitz, for one, must share a wardrobe of sporty shorts with fiancé Harry Styles: she styles hers with raglan tops and schlubby graphic tees, offsetting the pared back look with ballerina flats and mules. Hailey Bieber (although more often found in a capris), meanwhile, leans into her preppy side, styling her short-shorts with loafers and socks, toughened up with an oversized leather jacket. Kristen Stewart will also subvert the Chanel tweed sets with playful, punked up shorts. Wearing some high-waisted denim mini-shorts, a white longsleeve or broderie top, and a woven basket feels distinctly Jane Birkin, too.