The Best Madewell Shorts: Denim, Linen, and More

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One of my go-to brands for shorts is Madewell (they make great full-length jeans, too-see my 7 favorite styles of Madewell jeans here). They have a ton of styles, great prices and regular sales, every size under the rainbow (they are extremely size-inclusive and have great curvy jean short options), multiple rises, and a variety of colors and washes. If you have the option to drop by in person at one of their stores, you can visit the Madewell Denim Bar, which has an extensive selection of jeans and denim shorts to try on.

With so many options, however, it can be a challenge to figure out how to narrow down which ones are best for your body type and preferences, especially if you are shopping online. In today’s post, I’m sharing a roundup of the best jean shorts, linen shorts, and more from Madewell, along with my thoughts about each. Hopefully, this helps you narrow down your favorites or find a new pair to love! They have a cult following for good reason and I’ll get into all of the details in this post.

If you want more denim shorts reviews, read this blog post with the best 3 brands of jean shorts for moms.

The Best Madewell Shorts: denim, linen and more

Best Madewell Denim Shorts

The Denim Emmett Short in Meriwether Wash (Patch Pocket Edition)

I ordered the Patch-Pocket Denim Shorts last year and LOVED them, so I got them again this year in the Meriweather wash. These shorts sit high on the waist and have a clean, tailored feel that pairs well with both casual and dressier tops. The soft denim and slight stretch make them comfortable, while the patch pockets add a fun, retro touch. If you hate when your shorts hug your thighs, you will love this style. They’ve added one inch in the inseam, which I’m thrilled about since 4″ makes such a difference compared to last year’s 3″ inseam.

Last year, I thought these ran small, but when I tried this year’s pair, I found them true to size.

The Brynn Long Short in Polacheck Wash

The next pair of high-rise jeans I ordered from Madewell was the Brynn Long Short in Polacheck Wash. These have a traditional cut-off look with a raw hem, but the inseam is 4.5″, so it feels like a good length for this 40-year-old mom of two. The Polacheck wash is dark but easy to style for every day, and the fit is a bit slimmer through the leg than the Patch-Pocket pair. These have zero stretch, but they are the type of denim that loosens with each wear. If you prefer a shorter cut-off, try the 2.5″ inseam Brynn short.

The Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Short

If you love a super traditional “mom-jean” denim shorts look, you’ll love the Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Short. I was first introduced to Madewell’s Perfect Vintage style over 5 years ago when I was shopping for some non-skinny jeans. I LOVED the fit of the pair I found, so I quickly ordered the shorts version last year (and again this year). I love that the length is considered “mid”. Not too short, not too long. The inseam is 5″, which is totally ideal for me.

These are a high-rise (my preference), and made with just a touch of stretch. I also appreciate that the fit isn’t skin-tight against the thigh. This style comes in a 3″ inseam as well, if you prefer shorter shorts.

Pleated Low-Slung Denim Shorts

The Pleated Low-Slung Denim Shorts are a more interesting style of denim short than I’d seen in a while. They have pleats on the front that give them a relaxed, baggy look, but the rise is still high (which I appreciate). These come in both a blue denim rinse and a true khaki color. I bought the true khaki and while the color is what it appears to be online, I didn’t love it on my skin tone. I think they’ll work best on someone with a darker skin tone than I have. These have a 3.5″ inseam, but since the fit is more relaxed, they don’t feel too short. I got a size 25 and fit was TTS.

Drawstring Jean Short

I didn’t order the Drawstring Jean Short, but I think I’m going to in this white/off white colorway. I LOVE a white denim short, and I’m in need of a new pair (BTW, Madewell also has the best white jeans – read my white jeans review here). These have a low-slung hip with a relaxed, baggy fit. They have a fly front closure and a cotton drawstring detail. While they have a “low-slung” fit, the rise is actually 11 3/4″, so they can sit up higher on your hips very easily. They also have an amazing 5″ inseam.

Denim Pull-On Shorts in Marnie Wash

Last, but not least, of the cutest Madewell denim shorts, is the Denim Pull-On Short in the Marnie Wash. If you hate the feel of jean shorts but love the look, these are for you. They have an elastic waistband that makes them feel more like pajama shorts than denim and a nice high rise. They’re loosely woven for a drapey, soft-to-the-touch feel and made with a cotton-blend Airy Denim that has zero stretch.

These may be a good maternity short option.

Madewell Tailored and Pull-On Shorts

The Emmett Short in Garment-Dyed Twill: Patch Pocket Edition

I ordered the Garmeny-Dyed Twill version in the Emmett Patch Pocket shorts since I loved the denim style so much. These have a slightly longer inseam than the denim pair (4″) and are made from a soft and stretchy cotton blend that’s garment-dyed for a richly saturated hue. I got the Safari Khaki color in size 25, and I’d say the fit is true to size. If you want more variation in your wardrobe, this is a great pair of shorts to add to your cart.

Pull-On Drawstring Shorts

I wish I had ordered these Pull-On Drawstring Shorts with the rest of my shorts! They are so cute. I love the salt colorway and the safari khaki, which looks darker than the other safari khaki shorts. These are high rise with a 3.75″ inseam. They’re sort of workwear-inspired (think paper-bag waist pants) with a drawstring detail and comfortable back elastic. These are made with lightweight 100% linen.

Clean Pull-On Shorts in Linen-Cotton

The Clean Pull-On Shorts in Linen-Cotton were a 2023 style, but I found them available in a few sizes on Nordstrom Rack. These were one of my favorite finds from last year. They are a linen/cotton blend that has a tailored, flat front, that’s balanced with a stretchy, elastic waistline in the back that makes them easy to pull on and stay in all day. The length is 3.5″, so while this would usually feel too short for me, the loose leg and high waist create the illusion that they’re longer than they are. I own these in a size XS and they fit true to size. The photos below are from a few years back.

More to come as I find new favorites!

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