Linen shorts have a surprisingly social history, since Sears' spring and summer 1930 catalog listed imported striped linen shorts for boys aged 4 to 10. By 1934 FIT says women's sports clothes were getting briefer, and Vogue's June 1936 issue debated when women could wear shorts. This is how to choose linen shorts that look cool and not rumpled.
Linen Shorts: From Boys' Catalog Playwear to Women's Sport
A short history of short pants
Sears' spring and summer 1930 catalog listed imported striped linen shorts for boys aged 4 to 10. FIT's 1930s timeline notes that by 1934 women's sports clothes had become briefer and shorts were appearing on tennis courts, and Vogue's June 15, 1936 issue debated when women could wear slacks, shorts and culottes, calling sport and holiday appropriate and linen plus-fours chic for the beach. Linen shorts crossed from the boys' catalog into women's closets through sport.
Weight and blend
Pure linen is airy but wrinkles easily. A linen and cotton or linen and viscose blend wrinkles less. A lining helps with transparency. Check the waist, which should be flat and comfortable, with an elastic back for ease. Pockets should lie flat and not gape.
Inseam and rise
A five-inch inseam is classic. A longer Bermuda length looks tailored and cool. A high rise looks neat with a tucked top. Picture her in cream linen shorts, a blue shirt and leather sandals, walking along a harbor in July. Choose an inseam that you can sit in comfortably without sticking to a chair.
Wearing them
Linen shorts look polished with a blazer and a tank. They look relaxed with a tee. A belt makes them look tailored. Embrace the creases. A quick steam in the morning is enough.
What I would skip
I would skip linen shorts with a low rise and a thin, unlined fabric that goes see-through. Good linen shorts should look breezy, not wrinkled all over.
