I LOVE doing extensive product reviews so I can discover the best of the best in any category — and then share them with all of you! I’ve reviewed insulated tumblers, mugs, camping chairs, white T-shirts, protein bars, and more. And now I’m doing the product review of all product reviews: long jean shorts!

As I’m sure many of you know, CUTE long jean shorts are hard to find. Honestly, there are just a lot of bad ones out there. Ones that are too juvenille, too mom-ish, too short, too long, etc. BUT when they’re good, they’re really good!

So naturally, I went on a quest to find the perfect pairs for every occasion. I tried on 27 pairs in total (yes, 27!) and I’m spilling my FULL review today!

What I’m Looking for in Long Jean Shorts: My Must-Haves

Long shorts come in all shapes and sizes. Some are snug and jeggings-like. Some are loose and soft. Some are stiff and thick. Of course, everybody has different preferences, but here’s how I define the perfect pair of long shorts:

• Loose fit: I do NOT want really form-fitting jean shorts. They’re way too hot for North Carolina summers, and if I want to wear biker shorts, I’ll just wear biker shorts. I need some air flow!
• Cute, intentional design: Long shorts can easily look like they were stolen from your husband’s or son’s closet. I’m not going for that look. I want them to look cute, put-together, and intentional.
• Flattering and comfortable: I don’t wear shorts very often — I prefer breezy linen pants and dresses! I only wear shorts every once in a while, so I only need one or two pairs. For that reason I’m VERY picky about fit, comfort, and quality.

All right, now you know my criteria. Maybe it’s different from yours, or maybe you completely agree! Either way, I’ve found the shorts for you!

Best UNIQUE Denim Shorts: Free People We The Free Extreme Measures Barrel Shorts

Maybe you’ve heard of barrel jeans. But have you heard of barrel shorts? These Free People We The Free Extreme Measures Barrel Shorts ($128.00) are super unique and feel very intentional in the design. I actually love them! The legs bow out at the thigh and then taper back in, but I think they’re fun, flattering, and great if you want something different.

Best LIGHT WASH Denim Shorts: Anthropologie Unpublished Faye High-Rise Relaxed Longline Shorts

I absolutely LOVE the Anthropologie Unpublished Faye High-Rise Relaxed Longline Shorts ($101.00). They’re a little pricey, but they’re the perfect length for me and I love the light wash. They’re a great high rise and the raw hem is cute too. I like that they’re loose but not too baggy. They’re a home run jean short I will wear on repeat this summer!

Best SPLURGE Denim Shorts: Nordstrom Citizens of Humanity Ayla Frayed Denim Shorts

I didn’t want to like the Nordstrom Citizens of Humanity Ayla Frayed Denim Shorts ($218.00) due to the high price tag, but I kind of do love them. I sized up for a looser fit and I love the high-quality denim. They’re a great length and a nice unfinished hem and mid-wash. Are they worth the price? Maybe not, but I do really like them.

Best BASIC Denim Shorts: Abercrombie Mid Rise 10″ Loose Short

No surprise I loved the Abercrombie Mid Rise 10″ Loose Short ($70.00)! I love Ambercrombie jeans these days and the shorts are the same. They have a great fit, no gaping on the waist, and could be dressed up or down. They’re a good basic that I’ll be adding to my closet.

Best BUDGET-FRIENDLY Denim Shorts: H&M Bermuda Regular Denim Shorts

I like these H&M Bermuda Regular Denim Shorts ($34.99) a lot! They’re a bit shorter than the other H&M pair but still longer than some on the list. They fit well, no gaping in the back, not too baggy and not too fitted.

Other Long Jean Shorts

Now that have the low-down on my top favorites. But there were still lots of other good ones in the bunch! Here’s the scoop on all the other jean shorts I tried.

• Amazon TOSATISFINE Jean Shorts ($32.99): These are stretchy, a good length, and very basic. A great affordable option!
• Amazon CHICZONE Bermuda Jean Shorts ($32.39): These were a little too juvenile-looking for me due to the wash and distressing. They’re comfortable, but not my favorite.
• Free People We The Free Cruisin’ Long Shorts ($98.00): I like the unique details, quality denim, and wide fit, but they’re a little longer than I prefer. I sized up for a looser fit.
• Free People Citizens of Humanity/Agolde Ellis Trouser Shorts ($208.00): This are an investment, but I do really like them. The pleat detail is unique, the length is good, and they’re very comfortable. I’d consider keeping them if they were cheaper!
• Free People We The Free Ghost Town Long Shorts ($78.00): These run very small. I ordered a size up and they were still too tight for comfort. I recommend sizing up two sizes for a more relaxed fit.
• Free People Wrangler Mid-Thigh Cowboy Shorts ($69.00): I love the light wash and thick denim, but wish I had sized up. They’re shorter than I prefer, but they’re really cute and fairly affordable for Free People brand.
• Free People CRVY Pasadena Long Shorts ($98.00): I sized up in these but didn’t need to — I would buy my true size. They’re nice and have a unique inseam detail, but otherwise they’re just okay.
• Saks 5th Avenue Rag & Bone Mckenna Short ($198.00): These shorts have a fun angled seam at the bottom which is pretty flattering. I sized up but should’ve bought my true size. They’re okay — I would like them more if they weren’t so expensive!
• Saks 5th Avenue Agolde Dame Long Denim Shorts ($178.00): I can see why people love Agolde jeans. They’re very expensive but amazing construction, wash, and expensive feel. These shorts come cuffed, but you can easily cut the stitch to make them longer.
• Old Navy High-Waisted Wow Jean Shorts ($29.99): I sized up on these and I’m glad I did. However, these are very basic and too fitted for me. They feel a little too typical and cheap, so I’m passing on these.
• Old Navy High-Waisted OG Jean Shorts ($39.99): These shorts were laughably mislabeled. The label said they were a size 28, but they were absolutely ENORMOUS so I didn’t get to give these a real chance.
• Gap 8″ Mid Rise ’90s Loose Denim Bermuda Shorts ($69.95): These shorts are so good! I love the bit of distressing at the bottom and the wash and fit. The only problem is that the waist is way too loose in the back. Other than that, they’re so close to being perfect! I recommend sizing up if you try them.
• Gap 11.5″ Mid Rise Longline Denim Shorts ($69.95): These shorts have a really long inseam, so they’re great for tall girls or those who like a really long fit. The wash feels really ’90s and maybe that’s in but I just don’t love it.
• AE Dreamy Drape Low-Rise Baggy Bermuda Distressed Short ($78.00): These are more of a midrise short, despite the name. They’re nice! I like the length but the distressing is a little much for me.
• Nordstrom NYDJ Relaxed High Waist Denim Bermuda Shorts ($69.00): These feel and read like a linen short. They’re very thin and light-weight, with a trouser pant cut and front pleat. I like that they’re a little elevated for a jean short. I would recommend sizing down on these.
• Nordstrom Mavi Jeans Selina Cutoff Bermuda Denim Shorts ($88.00): I ordered my true size and these were too tight, so I recommend sizing up. They’re fine but because they weren’t the right size it was hard to say.
• Zappos Kut from the Kloth Hailey High-Rise Bermuda-Basic Raw Hem ($89.00): I really like these! You can tell the denim is high-quality and they’re very flattering. The shorts aren’t stretchy and they have unique distressing. I definitely recommend them!
• Walmart Time and Tru Women’s Destructed Hem Denim Bermuda Shorts ($16.98): These are nice. They’re very stretchy and tight fit, so that’s not what I was going for. But they are great for a budget option if you like that fit.
• Walmart Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Heritage High-Rise Bermuda Shorts ($21.98): These have some stretch with a slit on the siez at the bottom. I wish they were an inch or two longer but they’re another good budget option in a lighter wash.
• H&M Bermuda Baggy High Denim Shorts ($34.99): These come in several washes and hit around mid-knee. I got the white version but I’m not really sure when and where I would wear these, so I’m passing.
• H&M Denim Bermuda Shorts ($29.99): These are also a good budget option. They’re not my very favorite, but a nice basic pair of jeans. I would definitely choose them over the Old Navy ones.

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My Favorite Long Jean Shorts

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