Every Summer, I used to whip my mom's worn-in, soft-as-hell denim shorts out of her drawer and shred them a little more with a razor. I'd weave my favorite belt of the moment through the loops and complete with a white tee and sneakers. Everyone else was wearing micromini pairs with flirty crop tops, but there was reasoning behind my tried-and-true trick. I've never loved my legs [1], but I felt like the length of my "mom shorts," which came to midthigh, provided the illusion that they were longer and leaner.
Since she stands tall at 5'10", it's safe to say Kendall Jenner's gams appear to go on for miles no matter what she's wearing, but when I saw her rocking her distressed, high-rise denim out in LA — styled simply with a Re/Done bodysuit [2] ($95), Yeezy x Adidas Desert Rat sneakers [3] ($200), Linda Farrow sunglasses [4] ($750), and a Louis Vuitton coin purse — I was instantly brought back to my treasured hand-me-downs. I don't know where they are, but Mom, if you're reading this, can you check your closet?
Urban Outfitters seems to be on the same wavelength as Kendall. It's already launched a BDG mom short [5] in two colorways, and Zara has a mom-fit Bermuda [6] on the market. What's more, there are plenty of Levi's, H&M, and Good American picks that mimic the cut and slight slouch to a T. Ahead, see Kendall sporting her design in California, along with the slightly more fitted slacks she packed for Paris weeks before, then shop the look.
Kendall styled her mom shorts with a thick black leather belt, Yeezy x Adidas sneakers, a Re/Done bodysuit, and a Louis Vuitton coin purse while out in LA in August.
Kendall stepped out in Paris in a similar cut in July, completing her look with a vibrant blouse, ankle socks, chunky sneakers, and a waist bag swung over her shoulder.
BDG Mom High-Rise Denim Short
BDG Mom High-Rise Denim Short [8] ($49)
Zara Mom-Fit Bermuda Shorts
Zara Mom-Fit Bermuda Shorts [9] ($36)
Ksubi App-Laye Long Distressed Denim Shorts
Ksubi App-Laye Long Distressed Denim Shorts [10] ($200)
COS High-Waisted Denim Shorts
COS High-Waisted Denim Shorts [11] ($69)
H&M Denim Shorts
H&M Plus Denim Shorts [12] ($25, originally $35)
Free People Heartbreaker Long Jean Shorts
Free People Heartbreaker Long Jean Shorts [13] ($78)
Good American Bombshell High Waist Cutoff Denim Shorts
Good American Bombshell High Waist Cutoff Denim Shorts [14] ($159)
Ksubi App-laye Long Short Storm Slash Shorts
Ksubi App-laye Long Short Storm Slash Shorts [15] ($220)
Levi's Indie Short
Levi's Indie Short [16] ($70)
Urban Renewal Remade Longline Cutoff Denim Levi's Short
Urban Renewal Remade Longline Cutoff Denim Levi's Short [17] ($49)
AGOLDE Dee Super High-Rise Denim Short
AGOLDE Dee Super High-Rise Denim Short [18] ($128)