12 White Shorts Outfit Ideas
During the summer months, when I’m not working, I’m living in shorts! Being an Idaho resident means owning multiple pairs of shorts, because it can get brutally hot here in the lower-elevation valleys in the summer months. In addition to blue denim shorts, black shorts, and tons of other popular short varieties, I also love wearing white shorts. They can be a bit daunting because of the fact that they can stain a bit easier than other colors, but don’t let that deter you! You can always wash your white shorts if they get dirty.
White shorts come in a wide variety of different styles and fabrics, including denim, linen, twill, etc. Because of that and their neutral color, they offer an endless amount of styling options! Below, I shared a roundup of 12 outfit ideas featuring white shorts (or ivory or light beige shorts) and a few styling tips to help you out next time you’re in a rut! There’s also a shopping widget if you’re looking for your next pair of white shorts.
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12 White Shorts Outfit Ideas
White Shorts with Autumn Colors
For the perfect summer-to-fall transitional look, wear your white or ivory shorts with autumn colors, like this rich mahogany tee. This is the perfect outfit to wear if it’s hot out but you want to channel the autumn vibes! Play around with other colors (like jewel tones) and textures/layers if the weather allows.
White Shorts in a Monochrome Outfit
These paperbag shorts are not technically white, but I still included them because they’re so close! Ha. This monochrome “stick of butter” outfit is one of my favorites. Pair your white (or ivory or beige) shorts with a tank top in a similar color for a quintessential summer outfit. Finish the look with rich brown accessories or straw (like a straw tote bag and/or straw hat) for the farmers market!
White Shorts with a Linen Shirt and Straw Bag
Linen in the spring and summer is a must to survive the heat! Pair a button-down linen shirt with your favorite white shorts. If you’re planning to run errands and grab a patio drink with friends, finish the look with cognac brown accessories and a straw tote bag! Instead of tucking your linen shirt, try tying it at the waist for a trendy cropped moment.
White Shorts with Sleeveless Chambray
I don’t know what it is about this combination, but it’s one of my favorites! Pair your white denim shorts with more denim in the form of a chambray or lightweight, sleeveless denim shirt. It’s the summer version of a Canadian tuxedo (and not so obvious thanks to the white shorts!). Keep the blue theme going with navy sandals and a straw bag with blue tassels.
White Shorts with Colorful Stripes
When in doubt, style white shorts with stripes! Of course, you can opt for a more traditional navy or black stripe, or you could wear a somewhat more exciting option like these light pink stripes (and coordinate your shoes to the stripes). Pick a stripes color you love! To make this look work, opt for a striped tee that has a base color that matches or is close to the color of your shorts.
White Shorts with a White Linen Button-down Shirt
I included a very similar version of this outfit already (this was the original version that I recreated five years later!), but I still love the original so much that I had to include this iteration. There are a few minor differences in this look—I tucked the linen button-down shirt into the white denim shorts, and my shorts had a lower rise than what I prefer now. The cognac brown belt adds some much-needed contrast between the stark white shirt and shorts!
White Shorts with Nautical Stripes
More stripes! For a preppy vibe, wear nautical stripes with your white shorts. The mixed red and navy stripes have always been a favorite of mine, and the gold sandals make this outfit veer on the dressier side of dressy casual. I love when the weather is cool enough in the late spring and early fall to pair long sleeves with shorts. You could achieve a similar look by wearing a monochrome top and layering a striped sweater over your shoulders.
White Shorts with an Oversized Blazer
This paperbag shorts outfit is another favorite of mine! It features so many of my favorite elements: stripes, loose shorts, and a fun third piece (with long sleeves—and if you saw the outfit above, you know how much I love wearing long-sleeved tops with shorts). The base of this outfit is not terribly exciting, but I made it more interesting by throwing the oversized linen blazer on top. The olive green contrasts the white (beige) shorts so well.
White Shorts with Chambray and a Ball Cap
The summer Canadian tuxedo strikes again! This time, dress down your chambray shirt and white shorts by throwing on a ball cap. I love a baseball cap; I wear them pretty much every day, and they’re a perfect summer accessory to keep your head shielded from the sun. I’d wear this outfit to a food truck park, outdoor concert, or even a real baseball game!
White Shorts with a Pinstriped Shirt
I wore this outfit as a grad student. It was always fun to pull out this lightweight pinstriped button-down shirt; it reminds me of menswear. Instead of going full girly, pair something more masculine (like this shirt) with another outfit element that is more feminine (gold sandals, pendant necklace). On the plus side, the collared shirt made me feel ready to take on anything grad school threw me that day!
White Shorts with a Cotton-linen Sweater
On a cooler late spring, summer, or early fall day, wear a cotton-linen sweater with your white shorts. This is another version of the “stick of butter” monochrome outfit thanks to the light tan sweater and ivory shorts. Can you also tell that I love wearing cognac brown with white/ivory?! It’s one of my favorite color combinations! The brown always makes me feel more put together. If it’s too warm out, you can shed the sweater and lay it over your shoulders.
White Shorts with Navy Linen Stripes
I wore this basic white shorts outfit in grad school. The striped linen tee and sandals are simple but effective in the summer heat! (If you’re inside under A/C, grab a cardigan.) It would also make a great beach vacation outfit, especially if you add a straw bag (you may be sensing a theme—I love carrying straw bags in the summer and on a beach vacation, haha).
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How to Style White Shorts
White (or ivory or beige) shorts are super easy to wear; because it’s a neutral, any color top and shoe works with white shorts! Here are some tips for styling your favorite white shorts, whether they’re denim shorts, trouser shorts, short shorts, long shorts, or anything in between:
Avoid sheer white shorts if possible
If you’re shopping for a new pair of white shorts, I recommend trying them on if you can (or ordering from an online retailer that offers free shipping and returns) to make sure they aren’t see-through! If they have pockets, check to make sure you can’t see the pockets through the shorts, and try the shorts with contrasting undies to make sure you can’t see them through the shorts. The ONLY time you may want sheer white shorts is if you’re wearing a coverup on a beach vacation.
Pair with nautical stripes
Nautical stripes are a classic with white shorts. When in doubt, go with stripes! As I mentioned in the outfit ideas above, they add the perfect preppy touch to your white shorts. I am partial to navy stripes myself (the most classic), but black stripes and a mix of colors (like navy and red) are other timeless options.
Wear white monochrome
I love this styling trick if I’m in an outfit rut. Go monochrome: throw on a white top with your white shorts! If your shorts are off-white, ivory, or tan, you can wear a similar color or opt for stark white for a bit of contrast while still looking monochrome. You can also throw on a third piece in a similar or complementary color if you don’t feel like your outfit is interesting enough.
Pair white denim with blue chambray or denim
I included two white shorts outfit ideas above with my sleeveless blue chambray shirt. I love a good double denim outfit, and a chambray shirt—white shorts combination is fun because it’s double denim without being obvious about it! Plus, there’s something super summery about it. No matter the sleeve length, if you still own a chambray or lightweight denim shirt, pair it with your white shorts and add your favorite sandals and accessories for a quick and easy outfit.
Play with textures
You probably know that white shorts come in a variety of textures, but you can also play around with other textures when you put together your outfits. Try cotton, linen, and/or denim tops and third pieces. Embroidery adds an extra element to any outfit, as does metallic shoes and accessories.
Add a third piece
I shared a number of white shorts outfit ideas that might seem too simple or boring. If you’re not a fan of wearing ONLY a tee and shorts, try adding a third piece! This could include a lightweight jacket or blazer, a hat (ball cap, sun hat, etc.), bold jewelry, or a bag. Instead of grabbing the first bag you see before you walk out the door, take some time and try on all of your options before settling on the one that fits the vibe of your outfit best!
READ NEXT: How to Style White Denim