Hot Pants & Short Shorts

The Hot Pants Short Shorts Edit

Short shorts, also known as hot pants, are mini shorts with a very short inseam that finish high on the upper thigh. You can shop 35 short shorts for women on this page, including denim cut-offs, fitted hot pants and frayed styles for summer.

How short is short?

The inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam to the hem. Most everyday shorts sit between 10 and 15 cm, while hot pants and micro shorts usually come in under 8 cm. If you want to feel confident walking, sitting and dancing, check that measurement in the size chart and compare it with a pair you already own. Higher rises tend to feel more secure in a shorter length because they cover more of the hip.

When to wear them

Hot pants belong to heat and celebration. They suit beach clubs, pool parties, New Year's events and music festivals between December and February. For a polished night look, pair a dark, clean pair with a fitted top, a blazer slung over the shoulders and heeled boots. For daytime, a loose shirt or an oversized tee balances the short hem nicely. Sheer tights turn the same shorts into a cooler-weather outfit for autumn evenings.

Keeping comfortable

Raw hems can ride up, so look at the cut around the leg opening in the photos before you choose. A slightly curved hem at the side tends to stay in place better than a straight one. Seamless underwear in a skin tone avoids lines. This group was hand-sorted so longer Bermuda shorts are kept off the page.