Sooooo. I’ve been searching for a new pair of white cut-off shorts. The old pair of white BlankNYC cut-offs I wore in summers past (see how I wore them, here) are low-rise, stretchy, and — thanks to the Pandemic Plus, ya know, aging — now too small. So I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to find a pair in the correct size while upgrading to a slightly more modern cut: high-rise white denim shorts.
Diapers Anyone? Try These High-Rise White Denim Cutoffs
I’ve almost completely switched over all of my denim to high-rise everything — the leg-lengthening is not to be denied. So this — finding a simple, classic pair of white cut-offs — should be easy, right?
Wellllll….
The problem is…once I’ve seen it….I can’t unsee it.
The Pair With Lots of Fabric: AGoldE Parker Vintage Cutoffs
cami (xs) | shorts (27) | sandals
If you are looking at the front of these shorts and thinking to yourself, “there’s an awful lot of fabric…right…there…” you would be correct, sir. I’m guessing it’s for absorption. Wearing a size 27.
I also ordered my usual size (26) just in case (typically sizing up in white shorts is my move, but you never know) and in this case, my usual size DOES look better:
cami (xs) | shorts (26) | sandals
However. The best I can do here is throw out a ‘not terrible’ which is typically NOT how I describe clothes I spend money on. So.
The Pair That Look Like Oompa Loompa Pants: Good American Bombshell Shorts
cami (xs) | shorts (2) | sandals
If you thought this post was about to get better, think again. Why, tho, Good American? WHY?
cami (xs) | shorts (2) | sandals
The Pair Where The Designer Tried To Get Cute: MOTHER The Dazzler
cami (xs) | shorts (27) | sandals
My whole life, Dad would warn me, ‘Don’t get cute’ and now I know why. Mother, Mother, Mother, you tried to “get cute”. And now tucking is tragic. Also? Still with the diaper vibes.
cami (xs) | shorts (27) | sandals
The Pair I Squeezed Into: DL1961 Karlie Shorts
cami (xs) | shorts (26) | sandals
“Maybe,” I thought, “maybe I just need less fabric overall?” So I forced myself into a pair of shorts that I initially couldn’t button, thinking they would have a sexier vibe. Less literal baby, more babe.
Nope.
Still diaper, more wedgie.
So Maybe I Stick With Low-Rise (Like BlankNYC Cutoffs)?
cami (xs) | shorts (27) | sandals
These shorts are the exact pair of BlankNYC shorts I’ve worn in years past: they’re stretchy, suuuuper comfortable, and a much lower rise than I’m used to. They’re just…not…high-rise. Do I care? Do I like them? Do I like anything? ARE SHORTS LIKEABLE IN GENERAL?
Help me out here, Gang. Sometimes when I see something (diapers), my brain gets stuck (diapers) and now I can (diapers) only (diapers) see diapers when looking at white diapers. I mean cut-offs.
Shall we compare BlankNYC’s low-rise shorts to the AGoldE pair I said were ‘not terrible’? TELL ME TRUE, GUYS. WORTH KEEPING EITHER PAIR?
cami (xs) | shorts (left) | shorts (right) | sandals
I’m thinking the baby in the photo on the right still has slightly longer legs than the baby on the left.
SIGH.
I’m either going to sit this one out…or keep both. Is it a diaper moment that will pass with time, or…?
At least my shoes are cute.
xo,
S
, my brain gets stuck (diapers) & now I can only see diapers when looking at white diapers. I mean white cutoffs.){kind=link}
So here’s a crazy thing. Don’t hate me but…I am a bit (ok a bunch) taller than you are and I got the parkers (27) and they are FABULOUS. Literally the best white shorts I’ve ever bought. (I like them so much I actually bought a second pair) White shorts are for sure tricky though! I think (ahem) more petite humans might need LESS fabric on the white shorts topic.
I cannot cope with high rise shorts. I have this pair and love them. I don’t THINK they look like a diaper but will be double checking next time I put them on, lol. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ag-hailey-boyfriend-shorts/4774439
Um, yeah. Diapers. The white is just not working in high rise. The blank nyc ones look good!
Hahaha, I cannot stop laughing. Thank you for this!
And yeah, I must agree, once you see the diaper you cannot unsee it. 😆😆😆
The Blank NYC are the least diaper-ish to my eyes and look fab on you.
“I’m guessing it’s for absorption.” 🤣
I think the Agolde and BlankNYC look good… no diaper effect there. The Mother are close… but why did they mess with the waistband. Just because you can…. doesn’t mean you should! As for the GA… ummm, what in God’s green earth is that? I have basically ignored most of the high-rise trend so I think you can go mid-rise for the shorts.
The Good American pair is bad and I can’t I see diaper there! But the others don’t look diaper-y to me. If you’re uncomfortable with the look though, don’t force it. There are so many other options in the world of fashion! Or come back to it in a month or two (but not those “Bombshell” shorts, ha!) and maybe your perspective will be a little different and you can just see shorts.
Ugh! Shorts are the hardest and particularly white shorts. I like the Parker’s (size 26). I found the same thing with my Parker’s.. if I go up to the size 27, then there is too much going on in the front. Definitely doesn’t help with the diaper look. I have the same issue with 501s. I was so excited for this article because I am STILL on the hunt for the perfect white short… looks like maybe it doesn’t exist 🤣🤷🏻♀️.
This article should be titled…When High-Rise Goes Wrong. I think the Blank Denim look the best on you. Let us know what you decide on. Much love to TME.
LOL! I had the same issue with the white AGOLDE Parkers, which is weird b/c I love the blue ones. I don’t know what to tell ya… don’t love any of them, but the Mother would be my top pick IF they didn’t have that crazy waistband.
I’ve gone pretty much all in on the high rise, too, but these low rise BlankNYC ones are INFINITELY better on you!!! I didn’t feel very strongly about white cutoffs before, but this article has firmly convinced me that I’m ok sitting this one out! Haha! Thank you so much for taking this one for the team!
I think the Agolde Parker shorts look great on you!
This is hilarious. That tab coming up in the back of the Mothers is like when you put the diaper on unevenly and the back is sticking up…thanks for the laugh! Sorry, you look great in everything, Shana, but you’re right, once you put the idea in my head, I can’t endorse any of these!
“I’m guessing it’s for absorption.” 🤣
I like the BlankNYC shorts on you. I think you look super cool in almost everything, but agree on the diaper vibe of the high rise.
OMG…hilarious! Stick with the BlankNYC’s low-rise pair. They look the best of the bunch.
Oh dear. The Parkers are ok but IMO not worth $150. The new Blank NYCs are better. I will tell you though, my favorite white shorts are Universal Thread from Target and I think I got them for less than 20 bucks. They are stretchy and comfy and actually cute.
Low rise, for sure! Also, I too will now never be able to unsee diapers when I look at high rise denim. One more point in the favor of the lower rise—more comfortable for actual hot summer weather! High rise looks great, but it’s not as comfy!
I actually bought the Parker’s in a slightly longer length (ditto to not size up like usual for shorts). I got the color Panna Cotta which is white without being an optic white. After several wears, jury is out on them… they look pretty cute, but crease a lot and are not super comfortable. No matter what people say, I just don’t find non-stretch high waist anything comfortable, and comfort is key for those hot summer days. But I know they will ease with wear, so I am gritting it out.
re: diaper effect, less contrast on the top would probably help. I personally think they both look great on you.