Denim shorts or jorts — that’s jean shorts for those of you who have been living under a rock — have shaken off their sloppy skater boy image over the past few years to become a high fashion look. Frayed, baggy, turned-up, stone-washed or embellished, there’s a pair out there for everyone, no matter what your personal style is like. But what to wear them with, I hear you ask? Finding the right (or the wrong, if we remember that theory) shoe can make or break any outfit, but jorts can be particularly tricky — especially now toe-bearing season is upon us.
But fear not — I have scoured the catwalks and zoomed in on the street style set to bring you this season's biggest (and honestly, kind of surprising) sandal trends to add a certain level of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your denim cut-off 'fits. Keep scrolling for major shoe-spo.
Peep-toe mules
Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw by styling jorts with a pair of peep-toe mules. As seen all over the AW25 catwalks, including the likes of Miu Miu, Fendi and Ferragamo, this style is set to endure for the rest of the year, so are well worth investing in (they’ll also look fab worn with socks for the colder months). A peep-toe instantly glams up denim and creates the ever-desirable ‘high-meets-low’ look — because it’s never about trying too hard.
90s vibes
Reject modernity, embrace tradition! Go full Lizzie McGuire and pair your jorts with some chunky platform sandals. Extra points if they involve rhinestones and a bubble sole, like this wearer’s JW Anderson pair. Even if you weren’t old enough to witness the fashion the first time around, this is a cool, retro take on styling jorts.
Animal print
Leopard print is a neutral as far as I’m concerned, but there’s no denying it adds a pop against plain denim. It’s also a great way to trial the trend if you aren’t ready to go full Kat Slater just yet (warning: it will become addictive). From a thong kitten heel to a strappy flat, leopard to snake skin, there are an abundance of ways to walk on the wild side this summer (sorry, I had to).
Chunky Crocs
Ugly shoes are now chic — just in case you missed the memo. Crocs and jorts may sound wrong, but trust me, they can be so very right. A heeled or platform Croc adds a bit of height, and feels more elevated than your regular flat clog. Keep the top half of your outfit sharp with a blazer or shirt to avoid the outfit falling into moody pre-teen territory.
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Cool corsages
Floral-embellished sandals are a major vibe, and enable you to bring a touch of summer wherever you go (even if it is drizzling). From sculptural orchid high-heels at Loewe to mini-corsage thongs at Magda Butrym, so many brands offer styles that will easily add a touch of femininity to baggy or wide-leg jorts.
Ankle-tie
Make the most of showing off a bit of leg with ankle-tie sandals. This detail will add interest and texture to your outfit, with minimal effort. It's also a nod to the ballet-core trend, which continues to reign supreme thanks to designers like Simone Rocha and Sandy Liang. We love to see it.
Just...flip-flops
Hear me out…I’m aware heeled flip-flops are the shoe trend of the summer, thanks to Chloé's viral pair. But fashion girlies are just as obsessed with regular flip-flops. They’ve had the same glow-up treatment as jorts (may I point to the recent Gimaguas and Havaianas link-up) but can they be paired together? I say yes. To avoid going full Adam Sandler or surfer dude, ensure your jorts have a special something about them. Think coloured denim, sequin or bead embellishments, to balance the casual-ness. Comfy and cool, what's not to love?
Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023.
Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.
