Top 30 Brands for Shorts: Fit, Fabric & Function Across the Fashion Spectrum

Shorts are no longer just seasonal basics — they’re an essential, year-round wardrobe component. From tailored silhouettes for city wear to athletic cuts optimised for performance, the modern shorts market is more diverse than ever. However, one constant remains: inconsistent sizing across brands, even within the same style category.

This guide outlines the 30 top-performing brands for shorts, divided into high street, mid-tier, and luxury categories. We also explain how to avoid sizing errors using Tellar.co.uk — the UK’s most advanced, real-time clothing size matching platform for over 1,500 brands.

High Street Brands: Accessible Price Points with Fluctuating Fit Standards

High street shorts are often trend-driven and affordable, but fit consistency can be poor due to rapid production cycles.

1. Zara

Strengths: Tailored linen, fashion-led cuts
Sizing note: Runs small; waistbands often come up tighter than UK average
Find your Zara fit

2. H&M

Strengths: Wide variety, plus-size inclusion
Issues: Inconsistent fit across collections (e.g. Conscious vs. Divided)

3. Uniqlo

Strengths: Lightweight cotton, performance AIRism styles
Fit: Straight cut with minimal stretch, accurate size chart

4. Marks & Spencer

Strengths: Linen blends, cotton-rich fabrics, good fit for UK average
Fit: Slightly generous; ideal for curvier bodies

5. Next

Strengths: Tailored and casual shorts, petite/tall fits
Fit: Tends to align well with standard UK sizing

6. River Island

Strengths: Partywear styles, high-rise shorts
Fit: Narrower through hip and thigh; best for hourglass or petite builds

7. Primark

Strengths: Price accessibility, trend-led
Sizing: Inconsistent; fit can vary even within the same size label

8. New Look

Strengths: Stretch denim, paperbag waist options
Fit: Runs true to size in denim, roomier in elastic waist styles

9. ASOS (ASOS DESIGN)

Strengths: Broadest size range on the high street
Fit: Varies by sub-brand; use Tellar to compare against over 100 ASOS labels

10. Bershka

Strengths: Urban-inspired, slim cuts
Fit: Narrow fit; expect sizing to run smaller than UK averages

Mid-Tier Labels: Balanced Pricing with Elevated Quality Control

These brands offer superior fabric construction, improved sizing consistency, and contemporary design sensibilities.

11. & Other Stories

Highlights: Pleated city shorts, organic cotton
Sizing: Slightly narrow at the waist; excellent drape through hip

12. Mango

Highlights: Linen/cotton blends, matching co-ords
Fit: European sizing — check UK equivalents with Tellar

13. COS

Highlights: Minimalist tailoring, oversized cuts
Fit: Often boxy; check garment measurements vs. body profile

14. Massimo Dutti

Highlights: High-end finishes, luxury fabrics
Fit: Runs small; often 1 full size below UK norm
Compare Massimo Dutti sizing

15. Arket

Highlights: Sustainable sourcing, elevated essentials
Fit: True to size with consistent measurements

16. Whistles

Highlights: High-rise tailoring, relaxed silhouettes
Fit: Generous waist-to-hip ratio; ideal for curvy body types

17. Boden

Highlights: Bright colourways, practical design
Fit: Accurate sizing across petite, tall and curve ranges

18. Nobody’s Child

Highlights: Vintage-inspired, eco-focused
Fit: Elastic waists for flexibility; limited structured options

19. AllSaints

Highlights: Denim and leather shorts, distressed styles
Fit: Slim and edgy; order 1 size up if between sizes

20. Levi’s

Highlights: Denim durability, iconic cuts
Fit: 501s fit snug at hip; wedgie styles offer more contouring

Luxury & Performance Shorts: Precision Fit Meets Investment Styling

At the premium end, sizing is often more consistent due to stricter quality controls, but UK size equivalence can be misleading.

21. Reiss

Speciality: Tailored shorts for smart-casual and occasionwear
Fit: Structured; use hip and thigh measurement to determine true size

22. Rag & Bone

Speciality: Washed denim, raw hems, New York edge
Fit: Slim, mid-rise fits dominate; use waist measurement as anchor

23. Zimmermann

Speciality: Resortwear shorts with luxe fabrication
Fit: Feminine, often high-waisted with narrow waistbands

24. Totême

Speciality: Scandi-luxe minimalism
Fit: Designed for tall, straight frames; less ideal for pear-shaped bodies

25. Ganni

Speciality: Prints, relaxed fits, oversized boxer styles
Fit: Tends toward generous cuts; sizing down often recommended

26. The Frankie Shop

Speciality: Blazer-and-shorts sets, neutral colour palette
Fit: Wide-leg silhouettes that balance out broader hips

27. A.P.C.

Speciality: Clean denim, understated aesthetics
Fit: Regular sizing; structured fits with minimal stretch

28. Alo Yoga

Speciality: Compression and activewear shorts
Fit: Size charts are accurate, but body type affects waistband comfort

29. Sporty & Rich

Speciality: Terry cloth, retro cuts, designer-athleisure
Fit: Relaxed and oversized by design

30. Skims

Speciality: Seamless bike shorts, shapewear integration
Fit: Varies by fabric line; highly body-contouring
Use Tellar to match your Skims size

Why You Can’t Rely on Labels: Understanding Shorts Sizing Discrepancies

A size 12 in one brand could equate to a size 10 or 14 elsewhere. This inconsistency stems from:

Vanity sizing: Inflated sizing to appeal to consumer ego
Inconsistent body fit models: Brands use different measurement standards for “Small” or “Medium”
Lack of cross-brand data: Very few retailers offer comparison metrics

Tellar.co.uk solves this using a proprietary database that reverse-engineers size labels based on your measurements and maps them to real brand specifications.

How Tellar.co.uk Works

✅ Input your bust, waist and hips (cm or inches)

✅ Select your gender and preferred sizing unit

✅ Get real-time, accurate size matches for over 1,500 brands

✅ Compare how your measurements fit across shorts from Zara, Reiss, Levi’s, and more

Whether you're looking for a wide-leg silhouette from COS, a structured cut from Reiss or a relaxed pair from Skims, Tellar.co.uk lets you shop with certainty.

Further Shorts Insights & Buying Guides

Which Shorts Suit Your Body Shape Best?
Shorts Materials: What to Choose for Heat, Movement and Shape Retention
Luxury vs High Street Shorts: Value, Construction and Fit Compared
Why Shorts Sizing is So Inconsistent – And How Tellar Fixes It

Conclusion: The Smarter Way to Shop Shorts

Instead of guessing whether you’re a 10, 12, or 14 at each retailer, use Tellar.co.uk to align your body with the correct brand sizing instantly. With hundreds of data-backed conversions and a growing brand library, you’ll always know which shorts to trust — and which to avoid.

It’s free, fast and accurate. Create your profile now and experience the UK’s most precise sizing tool.