Goodbye, rips and being squished – meet the chic yet comfortable denim shorts for grown-ups

I’m moving house next week – from London to Devon – and therefore was doing a much-needed sort through of my wardrobe before packing up my fashion editor’s collection of clothes into boxes bound for the countryside. And what did I find at the very bottom of it? My 18-year-old denim shorts: a pair of vintage Levi’s I’d cut off eye-wateringly short, with massive rips and pockets poking out. Of course, I attempted to try them on, but unsurprisingly, they didn’t fit – I’m nearly a decade older. But even when I was 18, these shorts were too tight. They pinched, left red marks and constantly needed to be pulled down – not exactly the type of look I’m going for as a 27-year-old woman.

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self that these are not exactly the epitome of enduring class and style, I wouldn’t – simply because she wouldn’t listen to a word I say. But as we grow older, we tend to ditch overly tight, too-short styles in favour of timeless pieces that, fingers crossed, in another 10 years’ time we won’t find at the bottom of the wardrobe, inducing ‘What was I thinking?’ regrets… Now, I’m fully in favour of investing in pieces that will stay at the forefront of my wardrobe even when I’m 37.

The denim shorts included in this edit tick exactly those boxes: comfortable, forgiving and ultra stylish. Yes, you can still breathe in these when you sit down, plus there’s enough room to tuck shirts and tees into them. Whether paper-bag, Bermuda or pleated styles, these ‘jorts’ (jean-shorts) are the grown-up denim shorts that won’t date.

My pair from Nobody’s Child alongside a simple vest will be the perfect moving-day outfit for packing up the van and the long five-hour drive home, but their versatility means they’ll work with a polished waistcoat, statement sunnies and Mary Janes for drinks with friends the night before, too. If you haven’t invested in a pair of grown-up denim shorts, this is the time to go for it – you won’t regret it!