Just when Y2K fashion seemed to hit peak absurdity — sheer dresses, baby tees, and low-rise jeans — jorts have stormed into the spotlight. Longline denim shorts, baggy and breezy, now dominate summer street style, it seems. They’re not jogging shorts. They’re jean shorts, and they’re everywhere.
From Gigi Hadid to Emily Ratajkowski, celebrities and Gen Z style leaders have embraced jorts, parading them across Instagram feeds and glossy magazine spreads. But don’t be fooled by the model magic. These aren’t universally flattering. In reality, jorts are bulky, borderline ugly, and notoriously difficult to style if you weren’t born with a stylist and 34-inch inseam.
Jorts Become New Trend
The jort revival began subtly in spring and summer 2023 collections from Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi. Then came Coperni and Valentino, putting their stamp on the trend with embroidery and color-blocked hems. Suddenly, jorts weren’t just back. They were everywhere.
Now, Levi’s, Wrangler, Ganni, and Frame all offer versions. Pinterest searches for “jorts outfit womens” are up 865 percent since December. On Depop, “jorts” is trending with a staggering 1,700 percent spike in searches. And the variations keep expanding: camo, cargo pockets, charms, embroidery. The jort is no longer just a jean short. It’s a canvas for personal style.
Nostalgia Seemingly Driving Sales
Why the comeback? For one, nostalgia. Jorts recall 1990s hip-hop fashion and early 2000s punk culture. Madonna wore them on stage. Wu-Tang Clan helped popularize their baggy silhouette. The name “jorts” didn’t enter mainstream fashion until the 2000s, but the roots run deep.
There’s also utility. “Consumers are prioritizing comfort and versatility,” says Katie Devlin, fashion trends editor at Stylus, via The Independent. Loose-fitting jorts check both boxes. They’re roomier than classic denim shorts, easier to move in, and surprisingly flattering on various body types. Or so they say.
Stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones notes their appeal to women over 40. “They offer a longer cut that many find more wearable,” she says. “You don’t have to worry about the shape or color of your legs.”
Like It or Not, They’re Back
After seasons dominated by skin-revealing fashion like sheer fabrics, cutouts, and ultra-short hemlines, the jort offers a reprieve. It is modest, practical, and still fashion-forward, its supporters will tell you. And it fits the vibe of the current youthquake with oversized, streetwear-inspired looks that blur gender and defy age.
Whether ironic or intentional, jorts have cemented their place as summer’s most divisive trend. You can mock them. Or you can accept the truth — jorts are here, and somehow, they’re winning.
