Hold the Daisy Dukes—These Trending Shorts Are Fashion Insider-Approved

Summer 2025 belongs to Lorde. With her album release only days away and Glastonbury appearance whispers swirling, she’s approaching the impossibly busy high-summer months with the same easy, relaxed energy that’s won her so much favour for years.

Translating into an effortlessly cool wardrobe collection of breezy staples, I spotted Lorde out this week styling the casual shorts trend that matters the most right now. Ditching the denim cut-offs, the shorts silhouette of the season is the decidedly softer and sweeter gingham shorts trend. Cut from breezy cotton and patterned in picnic-ready checks, these feel like the cool wardrobe upgrade that makes a summer collection feel distinctly 2025.

With their slouchy, relaxed fit, Lorde’s gingham shorts channelled a laid-back, I-just-threw-this-on energy that runs through her style. But in a characteristically clever twist, she gave the casual base a directional energy, swapping the usual trainers or Mary Janes for a pair of sleek black pointed-toe heels.

Creating clever contrast that transformed the easy cotton shorts into something surprisingly polished, the heels added leg-lengthening lift and structure, balancing out the voluminous silhouette of the shorts and tee combo without compromising the nonchalant vibe. She finished the look with rectangular black sunglasses and a laptop casually tucked under one arm—a modern-day fashion muse on the move.