Choosing shorts can be trial and error. Trying on is essential and often buying a size up makes for a better fit. Find a shape that works for you, from slim-fit to baggy, mini or longer length. Add a touch of glamour with a high or paper-bag waist. Essential Antwerp’s orange (2, below) and pink cotton style are cut for comfort. Style with their striped belt (£75) and a tucked-in tonal top for a chic look. Reiss’s mint-green tailored shorts (£138) work well for smart summer events, worn with a matching blazer. Sezane’s high-waisted belted Rome shorts (£100) come in washed black denim, khaki and a floral print, and sit perfectly on the line of tailored and casual. Tuck in a shirt or vest top and you’re good to go.

Sydney Sweeney at Coachella Photograph: Image Press Agency/PR

If comfort is your thing, look no further than Aligne’s terry towelling style (£59), Maje’s grey marl jersey pair (1, below), Pangaia’s recycled and organic cotton sweat shorts (£65) in a rainbow of shades, or itsy-bitsy fast-drying beachcomber styles in towelling from Me+Em (7, below). Denim shorts are always on trend.

We like Whistles’ mid-thigh pair (5, below), available in four shades. Or take the scissors to an old pair of jeans to get your perfect length and fray off the edges, or salvage an old pair with a set of iron-on patches (£2, etsy.com).

Trade up your casual shorts for leather or lace for the perfect festival outfit. Get Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney’s Coachella look (left) with Benetton’s broderie anglaise pair (£49.95). Don’t be afraid to choose retro shorts in bold patterns like polka dots, stripes, and even plaids. And lastly, let’s not forget the matchy-matchy co-ord set – a fast track to summer style.

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 grey drawstring shorts with ruffles by Maje

1. Fleece shorts with embroidered ruffles, £104, uk.maje.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 orange high rise mid thigh shorts by Essentiel Antwerp

2. Dark orange high-rise shorts, £130, essentiel-antwerp.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 red and black floral printed shorts co-ord by Kitri

3. Patricia Black Floral Shorts, £85, kitristudio.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 sporty embroidered drawstring white shorts by Sandro

4. Embroidered shorts, £101, sandro-paris.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 blue high rise denim short shorts by Whistles

5. Denim shorts, £59, whistles.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 patchwork white denim shorts by Desigual

6. Patchwork detail, £74, desigual.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 blue terrycloth towelling beach shorts by Me & Em

7. Towelling shorts, £65, meandem.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 printed knee length shorts by House Of Sunny

8. Wave print, £69, houseofsunny.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 Gap blue cut off denim shorts

9. Cut off denim, £39.95, gap.co.uk

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 tailored lilac linen shorts by Gant

10. Tailored linen, £125, gant.co.uk

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 blue and white striped linen shorts by Boden

11. Pleated linen, £60, boden.co.uk

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 blue and white printed and belted by Sezane

12. Rome, £105, sezane.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 cream checked tailored shorts by Rails

13. Checked, £180, railsclothing.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 pink satin shorts by Zara

14. Pink satin, £22.99, zara.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 red linen shorts by Arket

15. Linen, £35, arket.com

Best women’s shorts to wear summer 2022 striped Roxy holiday shorts

16. Striped, £40, roxy-uk.co.uk

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