I hate wearing pants. Always have, always will. I’m the type of girlie who skips wearing “real clothes” any chance I get. And it’s clear I’m not the only one who feels this way, based on the boxer shorts trend that’s skyrocketed to popularity over the past year. If you’ve scrolled through social media at all in the past few months (major props to you if you haven’t), you know exactly the underwear-as-outerwear look I’m talking about.
These days, boxers aren’t just for lounging at home. They’re for casual outings, too. But let me make one thing clear: Women’s boxer shorts becoming a trend does not give you an excuse to wear any old sleep shorts—or worse, your S.O. or Hinge hookup’s literal boxers—out in public. You need a pair that’s clearly meant to be seen, not one from a multi-pack you swiped from the menswear department. The best boxer shorts hint at underwear without actually being them.
If showing up to class in your underwear sounds like the plot line of one of your nightmares, it’s time to heal your psyche with some immersion therapy this summer. To help you find a staple pair (or three), I’ve highlighted a few dozen of the season’s best boxer shorts below.
Matching Boxer Sets
A coordinating button-up or blouse clearly communicates that your adventurous choice of bottoms was intentional. Matching sets are a trend in and of themselves, so it’s worth grabbing all the components while they’re still available in your size. Better to snag that set from Sézane or Hill House Home now than be butthurt later when the top you’ve been lusting after all summer is sold out.
P.S. You can hack the look by pairing white boxers with a white button-up shirt that’s already in your closet.
Sézane x Andión Maxy Shirt
Alo Pinstripe Daylight Boxer Short
Alo Pinstripe Daylight Button Down Long Sleeve
Hill House Home The Audrey Shorts
Hill House Home The Annette Top
Classic Stripes
Vertical stripes can instantly give a style that quintessential boxer look, even when the silhouette isn’t quite so literal. You’ll notice blue and white pinstripes are a default color combo at It-girl brands like Leset and Sporty & Rich, as the pairing works with literally every statement color that’s trending this summer.
Sporty & Rich Serif Logo Stripe Boxer Shorts
Baum Und Pferdgarten Natie Shorts
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DL1961 Taylor Ultra High Rise Poplin Shorts
Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Boxer Shorts
Eleven Eleven Duo Stripe Boxer Shorts
Crisp Cotton
If the idea of foregoing pants in public still sounds a tad intimidating, start with a classic, solid-colored pair that offers maximum styling possibilities. Options from Commi Si and Hommegirls with logo waistbands look equally cute peeking out from beneath other bottoms as they do worn solo.
Comme Si La Boxer Classica
Ser.o.ya Tama Boxer Short
Adanola Coffee Bean Cotton Boxer Shorts
Skims Cotton Poplin Boxers
On-Trend Pastels
Trending pastels like pistachio green, butter yellow, and ballet pink somehow feel even cooler in boxer form, particularly when styled with minimalist wardrobe staples like white tees, tanks, and button-ups. The soft-hued styles at Staud and Aritzia make for adorable beach or pool outfits, too, in case you were wondering (I know you were).
Hommegirls 70s Pocket Boxer Shorts
TNA Dally Poplin Boxer Short
Joe’s High Rise Cotton Boxer Shorts
Florence by Mills Boxy Shorts
Personality Prints
Demure floral prints and other fun patterns make it clear you deliberately chose to go without pants in public. The gingham options at Damson Madder and Reformation would be perfect for the Cowboy Carter Tour outfit you’re currently panicking about. Those shopping for upcoming vacays should grab a beachy pair from Abercrombie & Fitch or Farm Rio.
Free People Day to Day Floral Boxer Shorts
Farm Rio x Anthropologie Printed Cotton Boxer Shorts
Abercrombie & Fitch Mid Rise Linen-Blend Pull-On Short
Damson Madder Cherry Pie Pull-On Shorts
Skims Strawberry Rib Stretch Cotton Loose Boxers
Desigual x Collina Strada Boxer Bermuda
Lingerie-Inspired
You’ll notice boxer shorts from buzzy brands like Cou Cou, Negative, and LoveShackFancy draw inspiration from both women’s lingerie and men’s underwear. These satin, pointelle, and lace-trimmed styles can fill holes in your wardrobe you didn’t even know existed. Use them to spice up Sabrina Carpenter-esque babydoll tops and mini dresses, contrast grungy graphic tees and slouchy sweatshirts, and give new life to basic tees and tanks this summer.
Cou Cou The Pointelle Short
Fleur du Mal Poplin Boxer Short
LoveShackFancy Sorin Shorts
Negative Eyelet Lace Island Boxer
Cuup The Satin Boxer Short
Frankies Bikinis Mariam Short
Bloomers
Why limit yourself to shorts reminiscent of men’s boxers when there’s a plethora of bloomers to play with as well? Take the underwear-as-outerwear trend a step further with frilly bloomers or bubble hem boxer shorts that can serve as a functional layer under too-short mini dresses and oversized tees. Styling a pair with a baby tee or simple tank is very brat.
Reformation Luna Linen Bloomer Short
Damson Madder Jenna Bloomers
Sunday Best Espresso Poplin Bloomer
Sarah Maberry is a fashion and luxury commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level, helping readers determine what’s worth buying. When she’s not writing for ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, Town & Country, Esquire, Cosmopolitan and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.
