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The Best Women’s Denim Cut-Off Shorts

Last updated on November 7, 2022

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A pair of women’s denim cut-off shorts is a classic wardrobe staple. Denim shorts works well with fringed blouses or plain T-shirts. They can also be worn with tank tops or halter tops. No matter what you wear them with, denim shorts look cool, casual and comfortable every day.

It can be difficult to choose a pair of women’s denim cut-off shorts because there are so many styles available. Do you go with dark or light denim? High-waisted or low-waisted? Long or short? It may work best for you to choose a pair that highlights certain parts of your figure while de-emphasizing parts you don’t like.

For example, if you have a curvy body, try a high-waisted pair of denim shorts with a straight or tapered leg. For those who lack curves, you can choose a pair of women’s denim cut-off shorts which have frills and boxy details. These elements help to create a fuller shape.

Women who have short legs will look great in short hemlines with a lower waistline, since high-waisted styles can make your torso look short. If you have long legs, go with a pair that has a longer inseam. For people with apple-shaped bodies, bring the focus to your legs with a cuffed or looser denim shorts style. For all body types: stay away from what’s trendy and go with what looks best on you.

Our Picks For The Top Women's Denim Cut-Off Shorts

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

luvamia Women’s Mid Rise Casual Denim Cut-Off Shorts

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luvamia

Women's Mid Rise Casual Denim Cut-Off Shorts

These classic mid-rise five-pocket women’s denim cut-off shorts have a trendy and cool design. They're made with super-stretchy denim and have a short 3-inch inseam, plus side slits for additional flexibility. Cuffed versions are also available.

Overall Take

Classic Ripped LookThese mid-rise denim cut-offs have a frayed and ripped design.

 Runner Up

MODARANI Mid Rise Stretch Women’s Denim Cut-Off Shorts

MODARANI

Mid Rise Stretch Women's Denim Cut-Off Shorts

These high-rise distressed denim cut-offs are lightweight, stretchy, and stylish. Their frayed hem design, retro faded chic, and side slit make them a great choice for your casual outfits, since they go with everything. Pick from additional styles and colors.

Overall Take

Stretchy and LightweightFor shorts that are comfortable and fun, you'll want to check these out.

 We Also Like

Soojun Low Waist Women’s Denim Cut-Off Shorts

Soojun

Low Waist Women's Denim Cut-Off Shorts

Turn heads with this eye-catching pair of booty shorts. These have an ultra low rise at 7 inches, along with a frayed hem and a moderate amount of stretch for comfort. You can get these in different washes and colors to match every outfit.

Overall Take

Eye-Catching AestheticWith a 7-inch ultra low rise, these cheeky short shorts will turn heads.

 Strong Contender

Aodrusa Distressed Front Women’s Denim Cut-Off Shorts

Aodrusa

Distressed Front Women's Denim Cut-Off Shorts

Get the perfect casual style with these slim-fit mid-rise women’s denim cut-off shorts with five pockets. They have a distressed appearance and frayed edges. Pick from different colors, shorter lengths, and material thicknesses to get just the look you want.

Overall Take

Casual StyleYou'll love the distressed aesthetic of these slim-fit denim shorts.

What to Look For

  • Getting the right size for high-waisted shorts can be tricky. Try going down a size, since your waist is smaller than your hips (where most pants and shorts sit).
  • Denim doesn’t have a lot of give at first, which means your shorts may feel tight when you first put them on. As you wear them, though, the material will stretch out a little bit and conform to the curves of your body. Just give the fabric time to adjust.
  • Typically, dark washes tend to look more formal while light washes tend to look more casual. Ideally, having a variety of different denim washes in your closet is the way to go, so you can match all kinds of outfits.
  • Of course, denim can also be dyed in other colors, so you can also find denim cut-off shorts in black and white and sometimes other colors as well. Get some of these to add versatility to your wardrobe.
  • Check the care instructions before you wash your shorts. Some may need to be hand washed, while others can go into your laundry machine. If you want your women’s denim cut-off shorts to retain their shape, consider hanging them to dry instead of putting them in the tumble dryer.
  • Note, however, that you should not wash your denim shorts every single time you wear them. Denim wears out more with every wash, so many experts say to wear them 3-4 times between washes or even wait a few months before washing.
  • Styling your denim cut-offs is a personal preference. They look great with white T-shirts and tank tops, but you can also dress them up with cotton blouses and sweaters. Flats, sneakers, skateboard shoes and flip flops all fit well with denim shorts depending on the look you’re trying to achieve.

More to Explore

As you may know, denim jeans date back to the 19th century, when Levi Strauss created his “waist overalls” in 1873. Denim itself, though, was invented in the 1700s in Nimes, France — the name “denim” comes from the phrase “serge de Nimes,” which basically translates to  “a sturdy fabric from Nimes.” Eventually, though, denim because associated with American workmanship.

Shorts were taboo in the 1930s-1950s for both men and women, but by the 1970s jean shorts, now called jorts, were being made popular by musicians like Patti Smith and Debbie Harry, not to mention actress Catherine Bach as Daisy Duke in “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

More to explore