I Can’t Stop Buying Bermuda Jorts

As I mentioned, these were the jorts where it all began. While they don’t make the exact style anymore (RIP funky colorful accent), you can’t really go wrong with any of Still Here’s cutoffs. The brand is a favorite of some of the coolest people in NYC, the jeans have a widely flattering fit, and based on the Strategist’s jeans survey, I’m not the only one who can’t stop wearing them. The Stoop Short is the brand’s classic knee-length style, and I would absolutely get them if you’re looking for a pair for life.

These 90’s Shorts from Agolde are everything I could want in a pair of jorts. I love the relaxed look, so the frayed hem and low-slung waist really deliver that surfer-off-duty aesthetic. They sit just low enough to slouch comfortably without falling down, and the denim softens up with every wash. My hot tip would be to get them in faded black “hitch” colorway so you can wear it with a white tank and a tasteful pair of sandals to all of your impossible-to-dress-for summer evening rendezvouses.

A few months ago, when I was talking to Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla about my favorite jeans, I let her in on a little secret: Reformation’s jeans are designed by the same denim genius behind Khaite’s. So, it’s no surprise that their shorts are just as special. My pick is the Hale. The eight-inch inseam hits a little above the knee cap, which combined with the tailored hem, give it a real classic ’90s feel. Despite the tailored hem, they don’t feel rigid — I’ve walked all over downtown in these and never once needed a denim-adjustment dance. Like the rest of Reformation’s jeans, they’re comfortable, durable, and have a great cost-to-quality ratio.

The Cadee short is from the brand’s “PAIGE VINTAGE” collection, which according to its website, means the brand has taken “all of the work out of breaking in your favorite pair of vintage jean shorts” with its “super soft denim shorts that feel perfectly lived-in from the very first wear.” As Kareem would say, 100 percent agree. These shorts remind me of the jeggings of my youth; I don’t think I’d be able to tell you they were denim if I tried them on blind. Also, because the waist is slightly more fitted than some of the other options, the bottoms of these shorts have a subtle flare, which I appreciate.

Another quasi-“vintage” option, the Taylor Jean Short from DL1961 are not only soft, but remarkably stretchy. These aren’t the low-slung, super-chill Agolde vibe — their Ultra High Rise nature gives them a bit of that “wedgie” fit — so these are a great pick for those looking for something a bit more form-fitting. They’re also an inch shorter than what I’d consider the standard eight-inch jort, so consider these a great entry-level pair.

Once you exceed the eight-inch mark, you officially enter skater-boy territory. These are essentially, as the name implies, half pants, hitting me just below the kneecap. The denim is notably rougher than the “vintage-inspired” options above, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but lends itself to more of a structured, oversize, work-wear-esque look. I had a lot of fun pairing these with a sweater and a button down, although my best friend did tell me I looked like “preppy Billie Eilish,” which honestly felt a little derogatory.

These jorts sit at the exact midpoint between shorts and pants — if they were any longer, I’d argue they’d qualify as capris. I like to think of these as the feminine counterpart to the Uniqlo Half Shorts, fitting just a tad snugger in the hip with a narrower leg. Getting these in white was one of my better decisions, because even though I wear them in preppy ensembles with polos and rugbys, their knee-length gives me a bit of an edge so I don’t swing full country club attire. Plus, the denim is thick and opaque — key for avoiding any see-through self-consciousness.