A nod to the ’80s and ’90s, mom jean shorts are a high-waisted jean short with a looser fit around the upper thighs. They are the denim shorts version of the iconic mom jeans.
Usually cut off at the bottom with a fray, or often seen rolled up, you can go for a clean or distressed look with mom jean shorts, making it a versatile closet staple.
Mom shorts are perfect for any casual spring or summer look, but depending on the cut, color, and style, you could dress it up a little depending on the top and accessories you pair them with. The options are limitless and fun!
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Like many trends throughout the eras, mom jeans and mom shorts became unpopular for a while, but they are now making a big comeback. The mom jean and mom denim short are cycling through our runways and closets again. And with they’re loose fit and relaxed high-waist, who’s complaining?
I’ve put together an extensive list of some of the hottest mom jean shorts this season, ranging from classic to grungy, cheeky to long, denim wash to bright pink.
There are so many styling options when it comes to mom jean shorts. Let’s have a look!
14 Mom Jean Shorts
1. Levi’s High Waist Denim Shorts
- Loose through your hip
- Super high rise: 13.25"
- Inseam: 3.5"
- Measurements based on a size 29 waist
Another great staple and classic is this pair from Levi’s. It has the perfect retro washed denim color, and the high waist and loose fit are sure to flatter any body type.
2. Lucky Brand High Rise Mom Shorts
- 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane
- Imported
- Button closure
- Machine Wash
- High rise with a skinny fit
- Distressed light wash denim
- Comfort stretch with just the right amount of give
Lucky jeans are a classic in the denim world and these fun Mom shorts are a great option! They don’t have a ton of stretch but have that classic high rise fit that we all love in a good mom short. These come in 4 different colors.
3. Levi’s Women’s 501 Original Shorts
- 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane
- Imported
- Button closure
- Machine Wash
- High Rise; Slim through hip; Button fly
- Size Up
- Non-stretch
Levi’s offers so many different color variations in this pair. The look itself is an effortless ripped hem look with a comfortable high waist. The pair is on the shorter side, almost cheeky style, and can be styled in so many ways.
7. AE Denim Mom Shorts
An ultra-high rise and relaxed fit. Need more proof that she knows best?
- Stretch
- Mid-weight denim with just enough stretch for everyday comfort
- Won't bag out. Ever.
- Medium wash
These American Eagle mom shorts give you 10 different denim options. They are frayed at the bottom, and some color options have denim floral print, delicate embroidered flowers, pinstripes, large pockets, and lots and lots of fray. Another comfortable high waist option.
8. Evereve EVER Short
The easy-to-love EVER Short features a high-rise silhouette crafted in soft comfort-stretch denim. Finished with distressed details and frayed hems, these versatile cutoffs are the perfect addition to your warm-weather wardrobe.
If you are shopping for a classic staple, this pair from Evereve comes in a versatile denim wash color, which is great for easy styling, and the touch of fray at the hems adds just the perfect touch.
9. Topshop A-Line Mom Shorts
A raw hem that's just starting to fray enhances the laid-back vibes of this pair of cutoff mom shorts cut from premium nonstretch denim.
This pair has the ’80s written all over it. This is what often comes to mind when you think of mom shorts, and I am here for it!
It’s got that classic denim jean color and subtle cutoffs at the end, giving the effect that you could have fashionably DIYed these shorts yourself from a pair of old mom jeans.
10. Abercrombie ’90s High Rise Cutoff Shorts
On-trend 90's-style denim shorts made in a looser fit with more room through the hip and thigh featuring a medium wash, high rise, zipper fly and frayed hem. Imported.
This cutoff denim short will surely give you that retro look if that’s what you want. It’s a quintessential high-waisted denim short with five different denim options. Works perfectly for any ’90s look you’re going for.
11. High-Rise 4 Inch Mom Shorts
High rise 4" mom short in our vintage stretch denim fabric, featuring a light wash and on-trend baby hem. Imported.
Here is another pair of fun ripped mom shorts. There are three denim color options with frays, giving a distressed look. Made with stretch denim fabric, these will be a comfortable fit.
12. Casual Denim Shorts
- 85% Cotton, 10% Polyester, 5% Elastane
- Button closure
- Hand Wash Only
- Material: 85%COTTON, 10%POLYESTER, 5%Elastane. Soft, stretchy and lightweight denim shorts for women.
You will get over 45 options with these pairs! Some hems are cuffed and some are ripped. Another classic mom jean short to shop for.
The pair with stars is the perfect pattern for 4th of July and all your other summer barbecues.
13. Levi’s Ribcage Women’s Shorts
The high rise shorts you've been searching for. Made with the same fit as our Ribcage Jeans, these feature a waist-nipping high rise and a slightly looser fit through the seat and thigh—because shorts should be comfortable.
If you’re looking for more denim color options in a cheeky denim, Levi’s will never let you down. This pair comes in six different colors.
Read my review of Levi’s popular Ribcage Jeans!
14. Curve Love High Rise Mom Shorts
Our classic high rise denim mom shorts in our Curve Love fit, featuring a medium wash and on-trend baby hem. Curve Love features an additional 2" through the hip and thigh to help eliminate waist-gap. Imported.
This is the perfect cheeky fit for curvier bodies. It has an extra 2 inches through the hip and thigh for a comfortable fit. Mom shorts are supposed to be a looser fit and not as tight around the thighs as other jean shorts, so this is a great option.
Comes in several denim colors for lots of style options. There is also a touch of fray on these shorts, which adds a relaxed look.
What Can I Wear With Mom Denim Shorts?
Mom shorts are so easy to style, which is why they are quickly becoming so beloved and popular. Since they’re denim, almost any color top and accessories pairs well with them.
Mom shorts look great with crops, tanks, tees, button downs/button ups, short and long sleeve blouses, puff sleeves, camis, sweaters, hoodies, and cardigans.
If your personal style is boho, coastal, trendy, retro, grungy, or classic, mom jean shorts work really well with all these styles.
You can style a very casual look with just a simple tee, or you can dress it up more with a loose button down/button up or nice short sleeve blouse. You can easily wrap a sweater or hoodie around the waist if you anticipate cooler weather later, and it still looks great with the whole look.
The secret to making any styling look good paired with mom jean shorts is to go for a relaxed style, whether it’s casual or more dressed up. The point of mom jean shorts is a laid back yet effortlessly stylish look, no matter your personal style.
Keep this in mind when putting your outfit together. Make comfort your objective, and you can’t go wrong when styling mom denim shorts!
How Do You Make Mom Jeans Into Mom Shorts?
If you’re crafty or just being frugal, you can totally DIY your own mom jean shorts at home from a pair of pants! Here’s how.
What You’ll Need:
- Fabric Scissors (or any sharp scissors)
- Marking Pencil/Pen
- Pair of Shorts for Reference
- Pair of Mom Jeans
- Seam Ripper
Take your mom jeans and lay them flat. Then take a pair of shorts and line it up with the jeans.
You’ll be using the shorts as a rough reference for measuring where you’ll cut. It can be as long or as short as you’d like.
Take a marking pencil and mark where you’ll be cutting. Then take your scissors and begin cutting. If you want to add a fray at the end, take a seam ripper or some tweezers and pull out the bottom threads at the hem.
And voila! You’ve just made your own pair of mom jean shorts.
Happy styling! Let me know your favorite ways to wear mom jean shorts!
Want more fashion tips? Learn 4 easy ways to tuck your shirt, find the best pairs of bike shorts, and get advice on finding the right pair of jeans!
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