The Ultimate Guide to Shorts: Styles, Fit Advice & What Suits Your Body Shape (UK & USA)

Shorts are one of the most versatile (and often misunderstood) staples in a modern wardrobe. From high-waisted tailoring to relaxed denim cutoffs, each style serves a different body type, outfit need, and climate. But with inconsistent sizing and unclear fit notes across brands, it’s easy to get it wrong.

This ultimate guide breaks down every major short style, what suits which body shapes, and where to buy them—across both high street and designer options in the UK and USA. Plus, how to use Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, to ensure you always get the right fit.

1. Types of Shorts: Technical Breakdown

▪️ High-Waisted Shorts

Rise sits at or above the natural waist. Creates the illusion of longer legs and defines the waistline.

Best for: Hourglass, pear, and petite shapes.

▪️ Tailored Shorts

Flat-front or pleated with structured seams. Usually made of woven cotton, linen, or blends.

Best for: Apple shapes, rectangles, and formal styling needs.

👉 The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers – Ideal to pair with tailored shortsInstruction on Posts

▪️ Paperbag Waist Shorts

Cinched waist with gathered fabric, often belted. Accentuates curves and creates volume on top.

Best for: Straight, athletic, or rectangle body shapes. Not ideal for those with a very short torso.

▪️ Bermuda Shorts

Longline style that hits just above or at the knee. Clean and elongating when fitted properly.

Best for: Tall frames, apple shapes, or those seeking more coverage.

▪️ Denim Cutoffs

Casual, relaxed, often frayed hems. Great for off-duty styling or festivals.

Best for: Pear, athletic, or hourglass shapes. Choose the right rise to avoid waistband gaping.

👉 The Ultimate Guide to Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape – Similar principles apply to denim shortsInstruction on Posts

▪️ Bike Shorts

Stretchy and body-hugging, worn as activewear or styled streetwear.

Best for: Hourglass and athletic figures. Pair with oversized tops or tailoring for balance.

▪️ Skorts

Hybrid of shorts + skirt. Structured front, built-in shorts under layer.

Best for: All body types, depending on fabric and cut. Great for movement, modesty, and styling versatility.

2. Fit & Body Shape Advice

🍐 Pear Shape (Wider hips, narrower upper body)

Best styles: High-waisted A-line shorts, paperbag waist, tailored mid-thigh length

Avoid: Shorts with pockets on the hips or elastic waists that add bulk

⏳ Hourglass (Balanced bust and hips, defined waist)

Best styles: High-waisted shorts, stretch denim cutoffs, belted skorts

Avoid: Loose boxy cuts that hide your waist

🍎 Apple Shape (Broader midsection, slimmer legs)

Best styles: Flat-front tailored shorts, dark structured Bermudas, soft pull-on styles

Avoid: Tight waistbands, bold patterns at the waistline

🟦 Rectangle Shape (Straight up-and-down)

Best styles: Paperbag, pleated, or wrap-front shorts that add dimension

Avoid: Ultra-fitted shorts with no waist definition

🧍 Petite

Best styles: High-rise mini shorts, vertical stripes, short inseams (2-4”)

Avoid: Long Bermuda styles or oversized shapes that cut the leg line

🦵 Tall

Best styles: Longline shorts, slouchy tailoring, oversized denim

Avoid: Inseams too short (unless intentional)—look for balance and proportion

👉 Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts

3. UK & USA High Street Shorts Brands

🇬🇧 UK Favourites:

Arket – organic cotton pleated shorts and longline linen
Whistles – tailored high-rise shorts and elevated weekend styles
👉 Whistles Size Guide Instruction on Posts
Marks & Spencer – comfortable cotton-rich and modal-blend styles in inclusive sizing
Next – wide variety, from utility styles to smart-casual pairs
👉 What Size Am I in Next? Instruction on Posts

🇺🇸 US Favourites:

Everlane – modern cotton twill, clean lines
Madewell – great denim shorts for hourglass and pear shapes
Athleta – activewear shorts that blend function and style
Universal Standard – inclusive sizing with elevated tailoring

4. Designer Shorts (UK & US)

The Row – minimalist Bermuda styles and pleated wool shorts
Tibi – statement paperbag shorts and tailoring-led shapes
Zimmermann – high-rise feminine skorts and shorts in broderie and linen
Totême – effortless cotton-linen shorts in refined, neutral palettes

Many are stocked globally via Net-a-Porter, Matches, or directly from brand websites. Tellar helps ensure you order the correct size no matter where you’re shopping.

5. Shorts for Different Occasions

Holiday/Resort: Linen-blend high-rise shorts with camisoles or tie-front tops
👉 The Best Style Choices for Summer Clothes Instruction on Posts
Smart Casual: Tailored shorts with blazers, mules, and structured bags
👉 Women’s Tuxedo Suits Guide Instruction on Posts
Loungewear/Comfort: Modal or ribbed knit shorts
👉 Affordable Loungewear Guide Instruction on Posts

6. Why Fit Matters—and How Tellar.co.uk Solves It

Shorts can be the most unforgiving garment when sizing is off—tight around the thighs, loose at the waist, or awkwardly short. This is where Tellar.co.uk becomes your most valuable shopping tool.

What Is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool that matches your body measurements to real-time sizing charts from 1,500+ global brands.

How it works:

Enter your bust, waist and hip measurements, or input a known size from a favourite brand.
Tellar calculates your true fit in any store—COS, Reiss, Arket, Everlane, Totême and more.
No guesswork. No misfitting shorts. Just size accuracy.

📏 It’s always free. Always in-browser. No downloads required.

PLUS: The Tellar Fashion Hub

Thousands of articles. Style science. Fit logic. Brand analysis. All from independent fashion experts.

It’s not about trends. It’s about what fits you best.

👉 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

👉 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

👉 Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

👉 Jeans for Petite Women Instruction on Posts

Follow Tellar for Fit Science, Style Guidance & Daily Fashion Talk

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
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Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now: https://www.tellar.co.uk