This summer, celebrities gave ’90s-inspired jeans a fashionable new look

If there’s one summer staple that all celebrities can agree on, it’s denim shorts. Since they come in a variety of colors, lengths, and finishes, they’re an ultra-versatile staple that celebs can adapt to fit almost any aesthetic. This season, denim briefs are all the rage again (surprise, surprise), but they’re not the standard micro-mini silhouette of summers past. This year, fashion muses like Emily Ratajikowski, Hailey Bieber, and Simone Ashley are rocking longer, Bermuda-style shorts (if you will), that hit just above the knee or lower. And unsurprisingly, the internet has jumped on this resurgence, too.

When the skinny jean renaissance began late last summer, styling duo Danielle & Alix said it was clearly driven by a rise in ’90s- and early ’00s-inspired dressing. In the late ’90s, celebrities like Madonna, Beyoncé, and Sarah Jessica Parker all endorsed the look—Parker and Beyoncé typically stuck to skinny jeans that stretched to the knee or lower, while Madonna embraced an oversized, masculine look.

“Loose denim shorts can be worn in so many different ways, and very differently than a regular pair of denim shorts,” Danielle and Alix tell TZR. “For someone who isn’t a fan of the micro shorts trend, jorts allow for a cropped look without leaving all of the leg exposed.” According to the stylists, celebs are drawn to dad jorts because of their versatility: They can easily be dressed up or down with an assortment of cool-girl essentials. “While elongated jorts are always a failsafe beach cover-up, we’d also pair them with a Danielle Guizio cropped baby tee or a cropped swimsuit like this one from Adidas with a pair of scrunched white socks and loafers,” they say. Sounds like Bieber energy, right? “For a night out, we love a jort with strappy sandals like these from Gianvitto Rossi and a backless tank,” they added.

All of which is to say, there are no rules when it comes to jort styling. Keep scrolling for a healthy dose of outfit inspiration from your favorite fashion muses and shop their favorite jorts.

Emily Ratajkowski

While filming scenes for the upcoming Netflix series, Too much, Ratajkowski was spotted in a pair of low-rise lace-up pants that gave off a very 2000s vibe. She paired her bright blue bottoms with a black mesh tee underneath a barely-there knit top.

In August 2023, EmRata wore another pair of low-rise jorts, except this time, the wash on her EB Denim pair was much lighter. She prepared for the scorching temperatures with a white tube top from Cotton On and opted for black accessories, including Vans sneakers, the Loewe Luna bag, and paparazzi-blocking rectangular sunglasses.

Simone Ashley

One day before walking the The Bridgerton Chronicle Hitting the red carpet for Season 3 in a sequined Prada gown, Ashley enjoyed a stroll through New York in another head-to-toe ensemble from the atelier. Sex education The star opted for a double denim duo, with fitted Bermuda shorts and an oversized bomber jacket. She then donned Prada’s Monolith loafers and oval sunglasses, also from Prada.

Charli XCX

Brat Girl CEO Summer has solidified grunge jorts as a staple of the viral indie-sleaze aesthetic. During her promotional tour for her new album, Kid, Charli XCX stepped out in an all-black look, featuring knee-length shorts, a distressed cropped cardigan from R13 and pointy Jacquemus slingback pumps.

Gigi Hadid

Once one of the Hadid sisters endorses a trend, you know it’s here to stay. Last summer, the Guest In Residence founder showed fashionistas how to rock it with belted jeans from celeb-approved label AGOLDE (Rihanna is a die-hard fan). She played up the unbridled energy of her Bermuda shorts with a cropped tank and Adidas Sambas sneakers. A limited-edition Prada Cleo crossbody bag and layered necklaces rounded out her street style edit.

Ariana DeBose

Leave it to DeBose to pull off casual shorts with panache. On June 13, just days before his third Tony Awards presentation, Hamilton the star has arrived at CBS Morning She wore a cropped gray blazer and, most importantly, monogrammed Acne Studios jort pants with an acid wash finish. She added a little shine to her seemingly simple look with metallic silver pointy pumps.

Halle Bailey

Take one look at Bailey’s Coachella look and you’ll agree: jorts are practically made for festival season. At one of Coachella’s star-studded pop-ups (this one was for Celsius), The little Mermaid The actress balanced her shimmering metallic halter top and country cowboy boots with the ever-versatile light-wash jort, topped with an eye-catching boho-chic belt.

Hailey Bieber

While the internet hasn’t seen Bieber in maternity shorts yet, the Rhode Beauty founder’s shorts-clad outfit from last summer still offers plenty of inspiration. As a true off-duty model, the multi-talented model opted for her tried-and-true staples for a day in L.A., including a white LESET crop top, Adidas Sambas, and vintage Levi’s denim shorts. Like Ashley, she also opted for a double-denim moment by layering a Calvin Klein denim jacket over her tee.