Shorts Styles That Are Firmly Outdated In 2026

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

While summer fashion has some enduring staples like breathable sandals and statement sunglasses, the specific styles that are most popular every year are always subject to change. So, just as there are styles of shorts making a big splash for summer 2026, there are some pieces that feel firmly outdated. In light of this, Women spoke exclusively to personal stylist and Your Style Transformation Academy creator Cynthia Kennedy to get the scoop on what's in vogue for the season. 

Kennedy highlighted a shift towards more polished and intentional styles, a sentiment that aligns with an overall movement towards elevated minimalism, tailored elements, and relaxed fits. "Designers are treating shorts more like trousers with pleats, structured waistbands and more quality fabrics," the expert explains. "Today's shorts feel more refined, deliberately styled, and versatile."

Even as she highlights the continued popularity of jorts and Bermuda shorts, Kennedy emphasizes the ongoing importance of personal style. "Of course, just because something is no longer at the forefront does not mean you have to stop wearing it," she tells Women. "As a stylist I always tell my clients that while trends may come and go, the best shorts are the ones that fit well, flatter your proportions, and instill confidence. A great fit and some thoughtful styling are timeless."

Bike shorts have been in style for quite a few years now, transitioning from a sports-exclusive piece designed for cycling to a casual go-to for fashion lovers. The tight-fitting bottoms were compared to the divisive leggings-as-pants trend in 2020, with celebrities like Jasmine Sanders, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner helping to popularize the piece. Princess Diana's '90s lookbook was also providing ample inspiration during the height of the trend. Even so, bike shorts are on the way out for summer 2026.

"They had their time in the sun with the rise of athleisure, but the form-fitting style is less of an everyday choice now," Cynthia Kennedy exclusively tells Women. Instead, those looking for an ahtletic-feeling option can turn to looser styles with a throwback influence. "Sporty attire has morphed into looser retro running shorts or soccer-style shorts in lightweight nylon," the style expert continues, pointing specifically to the Year of Ours Track Short. Such running shorts maintain the casual feel of bike shorts while following the shift towards relaxed fits and having the added appeal of nostalgia.

Next, distressed denim featuring plenty of rips was a big throwback trend throughout the 2010s. DIY elements such as frays, holes, and studs were a key component of the countercultural punk movement of the '70s, but the distressed appearance eventually became mainstream and mass-produced. While there will always be space for this look in alternative fashion, Cynthia Kennedy explains exclusively to Women that this style of shorts is no longer trendy for 2026. "The heavily shredded look with its excess fraying is losing momentum," she says.

Though stars like Simone Ashley and Dua Lipa are still sporting some frayed edges, the shorts dominating lookbooks are ones that leave the ultra-distressed look behind. There's also been a shift from faded colors like acid-wash or gray. As highlighted in the hottest denim trends of 2026, fashion lovers shopping for new shorts should keep an eye out for the classic washes as seen with Levi's Cinch Mid-Thigh Shorts. "Mid-blue to darker indigo washes [are] the most wearable and forgiving," Kennedy exclusively told Women at the time. "They transition smoothly from casual to polished and can be literally worn with anything, and they don't confine you to a specific trend."

Continuing the topic of denim, the fit and silhouette of jean shorts are also changing. Just as loose denim styles took over for skinny jeans in the 2020s, the transition to more a relaxed fit is being continually represented in shorts, too. "Denim will always be popular, but the preference is for a cleaner line in a pair of relaxed jorts or tailored denim Bermudas that you can dress up or down," Cynthia Kennedy shares with Women. Specifically, the personal stylist points to Agolde's Lyonne Shorts as a solid example of a stylish pair with a more relaxed fit.

If you're unfamiliar, Bermuda shorts are defined by their tailored, structured silhouette and hem that falls at or above the knee. This type of short often comes in trouser-like fabrics such as cotton twill or linen. This is seen in the Artizia's Effortless Short™ Long – Crepette™ Shorts recommended by Kennedy, but denim variations have also been popular lately. Meanwhile, the term jorts, a portmanteau of jeans and shorts, refers to a longer variety of denim that is baggy and slouchy in fit. While both of these shorts are distinct in style, they mark a major shift away from the tight-fighting varieties that were previously popular.

Paperbag waist shorts were especially popular at the turn of the decade, but they're officially out for the summer 2026 season. Thought to originate in the '80s, these high-rise pieces are known for a cinched or pleated waist often accompanied by an adjustable tie or corresponding belt. Though this construction makes them pretty flattering, they're now being passed up for a very specific reason.

"Paperbag waists have been replaced with cleaner tailoring," Cynthia Kennedy exclusively tells Women. "Pleated fronts, trouser-inspired waistbands, subtle drawstrings, and matching short sets gives a more modern, streamlined look for 2026." The image consultant recommends the Newport Short from Jenni Kayne as a pleated option that aligns with the shift towards tailored and polished styles. Meanwhile, stars like Emily Ratajkowski have demonstrated how to style the dressier shorts for an effortlessly cool look.

Still, fashion lovers who favor the comfortable waistline of paperbag shorts can turn to expert-approved pieces like Zimmerman's Indra Relaxed Short. As specified by Kennedy, such pieces include a more understated approach to a drawstring waistband in a way that looks chic and polished. Silk, satin, and lace fabrics flirt with a sleepwear vibe while still feeling luxe, having the added bonus of being worn by celebs such as Charlize Theron. While there are several varieties of shorts that are firmly outdated in 2026, there are still plenty of trendy options to keep you in style for the season.