Checked shorts have become an unmistakable hallmark of summer fashion this year, particularly across London’s parks, pub gardens, and festival grounds. The trend, especially in gingham hot pants, has been highly visible since early summer heatwaves coaxed out legions of stylishly clad Londoners. This surge in popularity traces back to post-lockdown trends led notably by the London-based label Peachy Den. Their Cindy set—playful hot pants paired with matching tops—has been embraced widely by a youthful crowd, including performers such as Olivia Dean at Glastonbury 2023, and has since expanded into various colourways and styles including dresses and skorts.

The recent manifestation of checked shorts is part of a longer-standing affection for gingham and plaid patterns, which have pervaded fashion narratives for several seasons. This is not a purely grassroots phenomenon; high fashion houses have drawn upon checked patterns for years. For example, Burberry’s iconic Nova check pattern, which originated as a lining for their raincoats in the 1920s, has become synonymous with British style and festival culture, often spotted on hot pants, bikinis, and trunks at events like Glastonbury. Similarly, Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu collections have integrated gingham in innovative ways, such as sporty Bermuda shorts with technical mesh linings introduced this season, effectively blending classic prints with contemporary, functional design.

The popularity extends beyond high fashion to accessible, comfortable options that appeal to a broader audience. Retailers such as Uniqlo have contributed to the trend with classic gingham shorts made from breathable seersucker fabric, available in multiple colourways, which are praised for their comfort and versatility. These can be styled effortlessly with simple white T-shirts and trainers for a casual look or elevated with blazers and loafers to achieve a sophisticated, model-off-duty aesthetic. Similarly, Ganni offers seersucker gingham shorts with elasticated waistbands, capitalising on the ongoing appeal of underwear-as-outerwear styling that blends comfort with a relaxed, stylish ease.

Beyond the mini and boxer shorts that dominate festival and casual summer scenes, tailored shorts are also making a refined comeback. Styles crafted from wool-blend, linen, or suit fabrics are being championed by brands like COS and Reiss, with luxury labels such as Max Mara and The Row presenting polished options fit for smart casual events, city wear, or even work settings during warmer months. These tailored shorts, which flatter specific body shapes like rectangles and hourglasses, can be styled with tucked-in shirts, sleeveless turtlenecks, mules, and mixed-metal jewellery for elegance, or dressed down with simple tees and slides.

Denim shorts, commonly referred to as ‘jorts,’ have surged in popularity, particularly in menswear, where they are favoured for their longer, looser fit that ends above the knee. High-profile figures like Harry Styles and Paul Mescal have embraced this trend, contributing to its prominence on the streets of Soho and beyond. Jorts are often paired with classic sneakers such as Sambas and Gazelles, blending a retro influence with contemporary street style.

The enduring and versatile appeal of checked shorts, spanning from playful mini hot pants to sophisticated tailored Bermudas and relaxed denim cuts, illustrates a broader resurgence of nostalgic patterns and relaxed silhouettes in summer wardrobes. With festival culture and outdoor socialising continuing to thrive, this trend is set to remain firmly embedded in the collective summer style for the foreseeable future.

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Source: Noah Wire Services