It’s almost June, so it’s practically summer.  Which means I’m looking for a pair of shorts.  And goodness knows I have my fair share of denim underwear (these One Teaspoon bandits are my long-time favorites….but I might also have to try the new high-rise ones…hmmm….) but in any case, I’m looking for actual cut-off shorts.

If you’re hoping to see long Bermuda shorts, you’ll be disappointed. That’s a question for another day.

So here are a bunch of dressing room selfies of the short-ish denim cut-offs that I was seriously considering.  They’re short, yes, but not peeking-cheeks short.  ‘Cause sometimes, I’m in no mood for the cheek.

The Three New Ones I Loved

1. The Super Comfy Shorts With a Retro Vibe

These Mother Denim Girl Crush shorts were a surprising favorite.  I tend to favor the lightwash and the distressed, yet these are the exact opposite.  But they’re really stretchy (read: comfy), and are longer than my typical denim underwear.  But I liked how secure I felt in these shorts – no risk of bum exposure while still showing off the bum.  They look best with tucked-in tees to play up that retro vibe and show off the high waist.

tee | Mother Denim Girl Crush shorts, size 24

2. The Clever Two-Tone Pair

I like how the color-blocking on these Vigoss Colorblock Denim Shorts is super flattering.  And just cool.  They’re stretchy and comfortable and only $49 so….yeah.  They’re still in my closet.

tee | Vigoss Colorblock Denim Shorts, size 24 

3. The Gray Ones I Can’t Stop Wearing

I’m OBSESSED with these O’Neill Kole Denim Shorts.  They’re made to look a little lived-in, and are that perfect faded-black-gray.  I’ve been wearing them with sneakers, my tan sandals, slides….but they’ll be fun to dress up, too.  Sometimes I just get sick of all of summer’s bright colors.  These feel more like me.

tee | O’Neill Kole Denim Shorts, size 1 

rag & bone vs. [BlankNYC]

I found a real contender to my long-time favs.

rag & bone Cut-Offs:  Still Pretty Darn Great

I’ve been wearing these rag & bone Cutoff Denim Shorts for years.  Here’s the same pair in this year’s wash.  It’s verrrry close.  They’re pricy, but get better with use, and are still some of my all-time favorites.  I actually prefer them a little bigger and slouchier – like this photo.  I also have a pair in a smaller size, but I don’t wear them nearly as often.

tee | rag & bone Cutoff Denim Shorts, size 25 (above)

tee | rag & bone ‘The Cutoff’ Denim Shorts, size 24 (above) 

The Comparison

Now take a look at the [BlankNYC] Astor Denim shorts (left) next to my rag & bone’s.  The Astors are a tiny bit longer, with a slightly higher rise.  But there’s no doubt that the vibe is similar.  I’ve been wearing the heck out of the Astors (including in the lead-in photo).

tee | [BlankNYC] Astor Denim Shorts in Delaytionship (size 24) | rag & bone The Cutoff Denim Shorts (25)

[BlankNYC] also makes the Essex short, which has a slightly higher-rise, and a slightly longer hem (we’re talking only a 1″ difference).

The Other Denim Short Contenders

Le Cut Offs Are Le Fab

I’m totally digging the vibe (and wash) of the Frame Le Cutoff Denim Shorts.  The sizing is a bit strange, however.  They’re stretchy and comfortable, and I ended up having to go down to a size 23.  Which…I don’t even know anymore.

tee | Frame Lecut Off Denim Shorts, size 23

Boyfriend-ish Shorts

I love how these Paige Jimmy Jimmy Raw Cuff Denim Shorts (20% off at Nordstrom right now) walk the line between traditional cut-offs and boyfriend shorts.  They’re also super stretchy and comfy.

tee | Paige Jimmy Jimmy Raw Cuff Denim Shorts, size 24

Also…These

I liked these…but I *think* I liked the Paige’s better?  They’re close, in any case.  This pair is the Joe’s Jeans The Rolled Denim Shorts in Vaneza. 

tee | Joe’s Jeans The Rolled Denim Shorts in Vaneza, size 25

Or….These

I love how these [BlankNYC] Cuffed Distressed Shorts in Dress Down Party look almost exactly like the Paige and the Joe’s…but are a fraction of the cost.  They’re not quite as soft as the Paige’s, but they’re still a solid choice.

tee | [BlankNYC] Cuffed Distressed Shorts in Dress Down Part, size 24 

The Ones That Remind Me of My Mom In The 70’s

I do wish I had kept these Levi’s 501 Distressed Cutoff Denim Shorts.  But they’re super high-rise and NOT stretchy.  Which means they’re super cute (especially from behind) but I’m not sure 90 degree temps and stiff denim are a match for this girl.  I could be wrong. 

tee |Levi’s 501 Distressed Cutoff Denim Shorts, size 25 

The Ones That Make Me Go meh

I had seriously high hopes for the AYR The Cutoff Denim Shorts.  They’re not that comfy, and by this point I was over it.  Which is never a good sign for something new.

tee | AYR The Cutoff Denim Shorts, size 24 

Thoughts?  Which is your favorite?  (And should we try the super long ones, too? Hmmmm….)

xo,

S