Shorts: High Waisted Just Took Over—And Honestly, It’s About Time

I’m calling it—Spring 2026 is the season we collectively decided to get dressed again. Not in a fussy way. In a deliberate way. You could see it during Paris Fashion Week—waistlines climbed, proportions sharpened, and suddenly everything felt… considered. High-waisted shorts are driving that shift. They give structure without killing the ease. They fix the proportions low-rise messed with. And most importantly, they make even the simplest outfit look like you meant it. Right now, I’m leaning tailored. I keep going back to Alice + Olivia’s Conry Clean Short—that chili red hits first, but it’s the clean, almost trouser-like cut that keeps it from feeling loud. Same energy with Amanda Uprichard’s Jeremiah Short. The red stripe linen feels effortless, but the high waist pulls it together in a way that reads intentional, not thrown on. If you want something quieter—less “look at me,” more “I know what I’m doing”—Shona Joy’s Alto High Waisted Short is where I’d start. Longer length, pinstripe, almost like summer suiting in short form. I’d wear it with an oversized button-down, sleeves shoved up, no overthinking. Then there’s the undone side of this trend, which I’m equally into. Faithfull The Brand’s Petro Shorts bring that soft floral linen energy that always works when the weather turns. And the crochet wave isn’t going anywhere—L*Space’s Sun Ray Short and Lovers and Friends’ Claire Short sit right in that slightly sheer, beach-adjacent space that somehow still works in the city if you style it right. For contrast, which you need to keep things from feeling too easy, I’d look at Retrofete’s Ashton Short—textured, a little polished, a little unexpected. Or LPA’s Champaux Lace Trim Shorts, which lean soft but get interesting fast when you pair them with something structured up top. And Beach Riot? It’s part of this whole shift toward hybrid dressing—pieces that sit somewhere between swim and ready-to-wear. High-waisted silhouettes that move from beach to street without a full outfit change. That’s where things are going. How I’m wearing them: high-waisted shorts, oversized blazer, barely-there tank. Or a crisp shirt, half-tucked, with flats during the day and a small heel at night. The formula is simple—define the waist, loosen everything else. Because right now, it’s not about doing more. It’s about getting the proportions right.