We interrupt this special Nordstrom Anniversary Sale coverage to return you to our usual Dressed for My Day style tips and outfit inspiration for the current season. LOL, are you in? Thank you for your patience as I focused a great deal of my energy and my content on “THE sale” last week. I truly love shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and believe it is a smart way to get a beautiful head start on the fall season. But alas, we have a lot of summer left! Can I get an “amen?” So let’s look today at the essential white shorts for summer and three ways I’ve styled them.
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Each spring I moan that I’m not going to wear shorts much, especially out in public. My legs aren’t what they used to be, and I truly don’t feel as confident in shorts as I once did. However, the heat is on! And I have indeed found myself venturing out and away from my home in shorts occasionally this summer. For me the key is keeping those shorts outfits classy and a little chic. These certainly aren’t my most elevated looks of the season, but I still want to look polished and a little stylish.
The Essential White Shorts
And that’s why I believe white shorts are essential for summer. They elevate a simple summer look like few other shorts can. White shorts look bright and fresh. And they work as the framework for so many lovely possibilities.
In this post I’m sharing two different pairs of white shorts. One is more pricey than the other, but I love them equally. Well, almost equally anyhow.
Essential White Shorts Summer Outfit #1
In the first outfit I’m wearing the Ann Taylor pleated Bermuda shorts in white linen. These soft, 55% Linen, 45% Viscose shorts are fully lined and feature a zipper with button and hook closure. They have functional pockets and soft pleats in the front, as well as belt loops. They fit true to size (I’m wearing a misses 10) and also come in petite sizes. The regular fit has a 5 1/2″ inseam with 27 1/2″ leg opening, and the rise is high, hitting just 1/2″ to 1″ below the natural waist.
I’ve worn the linen blend shorts with a slightly cropped length denim button-front shirt. The shirt is an online exclusive and is available now in sizes extra small to extra, extra large. It fits true to size; I’m wearing a medium. Tops like these get a lot of mileage in my wardrobe because they work with so many things from bold colors to prints, from black to white.
I love how this combination came together for an elevated casual look, perfect for a family gathering or simple outing. I completed it with strappy cognac sandals and a semi-precious beaded tiger’s eye necklace that bookends the outfit smartly.
Essential White Shorts Style Plan 1
- Pair with denim or chambray
- Add richness and tonal depth to the look with cognac accessories
- Bookend the look with tiger’s eye or tortoise shell jewelry
- If the shorts are structured, add softness to the look with a relaxed fit, untucked top.
Essential White Shorts Summer Outfit #2
For our second and third looks with white shorts, I’m wearing the Frank & Eileen Waterford golf short in Italian performance linen. The fabric is 50% cotton, 48% linen and 2% Elastane for a durable, moves-with-your-body-all-day performance in mind. And in true performance fashion, these shorts are machine washable.
The Frank & Eileen shorts are more spendy, but the quality is beautiful. They feature a zip fly with hook and bar closure, as well as belt loops. The front slant pockets and back patch pockets are functional and well-placed. Of course the looks I’ve created with these Waterford shorts could be duplicated with the Ann Taylor ones. But if you’re interested in the Frank & Eileen shorts or top (or anything else there), you can use code FEELGOOD one time before 9/1/2026 to receive 15% off your entire order.
This time I topped the tailored white shorts with a soft and easy striped short-sleeve popover Henley top. The preppy style top is constructed in 100% cotton made in California. It comes in sizes extra small to extra large, and I’m wearing a medium, true to my usual size. The top is also available in other patterns and colors.
Here I’ve given the relaxed fit top a gentle front tuck and added a belt. I wore sandals that are still casual, but the heel and chain decor elevate them slightly for a more polished appearance. And I’ve added a more substantial necklace that echoes the color in the shirt.
Essential White Shorts Style Plan 2
- Pair with stripes for a seasonal, nautical aesthetic.
- Add richness and tonal depth to the look with cognac accessories.
- Give the top a front tuck for definition.
- Add a belt and/or heeled sandals for more structure, which will elevate the look.
Essential White Shorts Summer Outfit #3
For our third look I’ve created a black and white outfit with those Frank & Eileen Waterford golf shorts. Of the three, I think this is the most interesting. It’s simple, but unexpected and rich in depth.
This is a casual look that I would wear to dinner on a seaside vacation or to the pub just down the road in the early evening. It looks pulled together and thoughtful, but the vibe is still relaxed and unbothered.
I topped the essential white shorts with a black 100% cotton knit, button front top. The collar, buttons and color of this top give it polish even though it is simple and comfortable. Since I’ve left the slightly cropped length top untucked and that bottom button unbuttoned, I’ve completed the look with impactful accessories: the bold beaded necklace in brown and black, the chunky brown bangle paired with a gold bangle, and a chic straw hat with black grosgrain ribbon. By the way, this beautiful Squishee® Cap is lightweight enough for all-day wear and packs easily for travel.
Essential White Shorts Style Plan 3
- Pair with black for a chic, rich look.
- Add richness and tonal depth to the look with “wood” or brown accessories.
- Add a top with a collar and/or buttons for a little more polish.
- Set the tone for your look with your shoe choice.
- Wear a hat for sun protection and interest.
Which look with the essential white shorts is your favorite? Of course, there are so many other ways you can wear your white shorts during the summer, both casual and more elevated. Let me know if you’d like to see more ideas. Or maybe there is another summer essential you’d like for me to style three ways. I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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Blessed for My Day
Every day we make hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions. Some of them we make on autopilot, barely putting any thought into them. These are based on the patterns we’ve established and followed for days and years in the past. These little choices may seem inconsequential and trivial in comparison to the “big decisions” that keep us up at night or weigh on us during our prayer time.
But the truth is that some of our biggest problems are results of those seemingly small choices, the ones we make automatically without assessing their consequences. And our problems don’t result from those thoughtless decisions they still may compound from them. For instance, when I neglect to make my bed I may actually increase my anxiety or feelings of overwhelm. Whereas if I choose to make my bed I set myself up to feel a little more in control of my day. What little decisions might we need to revisit and give some thought to today? What thoughtless habits are impacting us more than we assumed?
I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your judgments before me. ~ Psalm 119:30
Good morning, Kay. I live in central Texas. Summers here are long and hot! So, Amen, we have a lot of summer still ahead for us. At 67, I continue to wear shorts. It’s a necessity here. I like all of the shorts outfits that you showed. I especially liked the hat. Have a blessed day!
Love all these ideas. Now to want to wear my white shorts. This SUmmer I haven’t worn shorts out yet. My legs aren’t what they use to be and I can’t exercise like I’d like due to daily migraines. I fit in walking when I can, but not enough. Anyway your legs look good. Do you photo shop at all? Some who post do and I often wonder if it’s their true legs. I tend to prefer dresses, but going to try some of your white shorts ideas. You look so stunning in the hat, wide sunglasses and black top with white shorts. Great post. Glad you are going to still post Summer and not all Fall yet.
All the shorts outfits look good on you. I’m the same way. I think I won’t wear shorts but summer hits and that’s pretty much what I wear. Of course church and special occasions I wear pants. No jeans except for white.