The Sustainable Shorts Edit
Summer is when our mind turns to shorts. A good pair is one of the hardest working pieces in a summer wardrobe. Whether you're heading out for a relaxed lunch, packing for a holiday or exploring a new city, the right pair offers comfort without compromising on style. They needn’t be reserved for summer either. Styled with tights and boots, a beautifully tailored pair can work just as well through the cooler months.
While sustainable basics are becoming easier to find, beautifully made shorts are still surprisingly rare. We've curated five styles that combine thoughtful design with responsible production, from everyday denim to elegant tailoring.
The Everyday Denim Short
The everyday denim short will be the pair you reach for all summer long. Perfect for coffee mornings, weekend markets and casual lunches, this is the style that will become softer and more comfortable with every wear.
Pair with a crisp linen shirt, a simple cotton vest, leather sandals, oversized sunglasses and a woven bag for effortless summer dressing.
When shopping for denim, look for organic or recycled cotton, responsible dyeing processes and a timeless fit that won't feel dated after one season. A well made pair should last for years rather than a summer.
Lucy & Yak's Lexi shorts are crafted from 100% organic cotton denim and made using responsibly sourced materials from traceable suppliers. The brand also encourages circular fashion through its pre loved buy back scheme, helping garments stay in use for longer.
The Linen Short
Nothing feels quite as luxurious on a warm day as linen. Naturally breathable and beautifully relaxed, it is the fabric many of us return to every summer.
Ideal for holidays, garden lunches and coastal walks, these shorts pair effortlessly with a silk camisole, lightweight knit, espadrilles and delicate gold jewellery.
Linen is made from flax, a crop that often requires less irrigation than conventional cotton. It is also a natural, biodegradable fibre that becomes softer and more comfortable with every wash, making it one of the most enduring additions to a summer wardrobe.
These high rise shorts are handmade to order by Not Perfect Linen, a small family business using certified European linen and a transparent production process.
The Statement Short
Sometimes one beautiful piece is all you need. A statement short brings colour, texture or tailoring to an outfit while remaining elegant enough to wear year after year.
Perfect for aperitivo, gallery visits, summer parties or evenings abroad, style with a delicate camisole, simple leather sandals, a clutch bag and understated gold jewellery.
Crafted from European linen, the Villa Romantica Corset Short combines refined tailoring with a distinctive silhouette. Australian brand Alémais places a strong emphasis on responsible sourcing and transparency, creating collections that celebrate craftsmanship alongside considered material choices.
The Active Short
Whether you're heading out for a coastal walk, cycling through the countryside, travelling or practising yoga outdoors, a versatile active short earns its place in every suitcase.
Style simply with a supportive sports bra, lightweight sweatshirt and your favourite trainers.
Performance clothing often relies on synthetic fabrics, so choosing pieces made from recycled materials can help reduce demand for virgin fibres. Durability is equally important, as the most sustainable activewear is the clothing you continue to wear for years.
The Chestnut Trail Short is made from recycled plastic bottles and designed for movement with a lightweight wrap style silhouette. Girlfriend Collective is recognised for its use of recycled materials, transparent manufacturing and commitment to ethical production.
The Elevated Short
An elevated short offers all the comfort of casual dressing with the polish of tailored trousers. Ideal for warm days in the office, city breaks or relaxed summer dinners, it is a piece that effortlessly bridges casual and smart dressing.
Wear with a silk blouse, structured linen shirt or fine knit, finishing the look with leather loafers or elegant sandals.
Eileen Fisher has long championed timeless design, responsible sourcing and transparent supply chains. These beautifully draped Fine Jersey Shorts are responsibly dyed and designed with longevity in mind, proving that thoughtful wardrobe staples can feel every bit as luxurious as they look.
A carefully chosen collection of shorts can simplify summer dressing. Rather than filling your wardrobe with trend led pieces, investing in a handful of beautifully made styles ensures you'll always have the right option, whether you're spending the day exploring a new city, relaxing by the coast or dressing for dinner in the evening. Thoughtfully made and designed to last, these are the pieces you'll look forward to reaching for year after year.
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