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Updated June 2026
Madewell has been one of my go-to brands for shorts for years. I’m a denim junkie and have tried everything from the pricey Agolde brand to Gap and Amazon. But Madewell shorts – denim and otherwise – stay in my closet more than any other brand. They have great prices (and regular sales), plus every size under the rainbow (they are extremely size-inclusive and have great curvy short options). Their shorts come in multiple rises, materials, and lots of colors and washes.
But with so many options, it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth buying and what size to get. So I’m sharing a roundup of the best Madewell denim shorts, linen shorts, and more, along with my thoughts on each. Hopefully, this helps you find a new pair to love.
If you want more denim shorts reviews, check out the best denim shorts for moms and my review of Abercrombie jean shorts. Or, if you really want to go down the Madewell rabbit hole, I have a post on the best Madewell jeans.
One more thing worth mentioning: Bermuda shorts are having a major moment right now, and Madewell has a great option if that’s your thing. I’m 5’1″, so they’re not flattering on me. Plus, they give me serious PTSD from the long shorts I wore growing up Mormon. They’re not included in the options below for those reasons, but I love them when they’re styled well – they look especially great with loafers. (I have a whole post on how to style loafers if you want to go deeper on that.)
Best Madewell Denim Shorts
I’ve tried every pair of Madewell denim shorts they sell. Here’s what to buy and what to skip.
High-Rise, Tailored Denim: The Emmett (Emmy) Short
The TLDR: If you get just one pair, get these. I ordered these last year and loved them, so I got them again this year (I outgrew my previous pair). They’re high-rise, tailored, and they don’t hug my thighs, which is mandatory for me. The denim has just enough stretch to be comfortable without feeling fitted.
Quick note before you shop: Madewell now sells this Emmett style as the Emmy. If you’re searching their site, look for the Emmy because it’s the same patch-pocket style. But since most people still search for the Emmett, I’m keeping both names here.
The Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Short
If you love a traditional mom-jean denim shorts look, you’ll love the Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Short. I was first introduced to Madewell’s jean shorts in the Perfect Vintage style over 5 years ago while shopping for the best petite jeans. The fit was perfect, so I quickly ordered the shorts version. The “mid”-length has a 5” inseam, so they’re not too short and not too long. I prefer a slightly longer inseam like this since my style in my 40s is a little more conservative.
These are high-rise (my preference) and they have a little stretch for comfort.
Relaxed, Baggy Pull-On Denim: The Pull-On Utility Short in Airy Denim
If you hate the feel of jean shorts but love the look, grab the Pull-On Utility Short in Airy Denim. They have an elastic waistband in the back and a drawstring in the front, so they’re much more comfortable than traditional denim shorts. The fabric is a cotton-Tencel blend they call Airy Denim, which is soft and drapey.
Drawstring Jean Short
I haven’t ordered the Drawstring Jean Short, but after seeing it while grabbing other links for this post, I think I need to. I especially like the sagebrush green for transitioning an outfit from summer to fall. And they have that Goldilocks 5” inseam.
Madewell Tailored and Pull-On Shorts
Madewell always has great non-denim options and they do chinos especially well. Here are the ones I own, plus what I’m eyeing.
The Essex Utility Short
I ordered the Essex Utility Short this summer because I loved the dark mocha color. They’re stretch twill with a relaxed fit through the hips and thighs, so no squeezing. I like that these are a little more polished than most shorts – they look great with a button-down and loafers, but are also cute with a white tee and neutral sandals. They fit TTS, but size down if you’re on the fence.
Pull-On Cotton Shorts
I wish I had ordered these Pull-On Shorts with the rest of my shorts. They’re 100% cotton with an elastic waist, so they’re easy to throw on and go. Pull-on shorts and a simple white tee make a cute summer outfit when you’re dying in the Southern heat.
The Zoe Short in 100% Linen
I’ve owned previous versions of Zoe Shorts and loved them. They’re based on one of Madewell’s best-selling pants, just in short form. Most linen shorts have a drawstring, which makes them very casual, so I appreciate the button-front. You get the lightweight benefits of linen without looking like you just left the pool.
FAQ
Is Madewell actually good quality?
Short answer: yes, but it depends on the style. Their denim is where they really shine. I’ve had Madewell jeans that have lasted me years and still look great. The shorts are the same story. I’ve reordered the Perfect Vintage and the Emmy multiple years in a row, which says a lot. The non-denim stuff is hit or miss depending on the piece, but overall, I think the quality is worth the price, especially if you catch a sale.
Do Madewell shorts run big or small?
It depends on the style and it varies from year to year, which is annoying. The Emmy ran small last year, but this year’s pair was true to size. As a general rule, if you’re on the fence between two sizes, I’d go up. I’d rather have a little room than a waistband digging into me all day. And denim shorts look much better if they’re a little big rather than a little small.
What size should I order in Madewell shorts?
I typically wear a 25 or 26 in Madewell denim, depending on the style. For chino and twill styles, I find them true to size. Their denim runs a little small, if anything.
Does Madewell still sell the Emmett short?
Yes. They sell it now under the name Emmy. Same patch-pocket style, same silhouette. Search “Emmy” on their site and you’ll find it. I’m keeping “Emmett” in this post because that’s still how most people search for it.
Are Madewell shorts good for curvy?
Yes. Madewell is size-inclusive, which isn’t something every denim brand can say. They have curvy denim shorts options cut with more room through the hips and thighs, and they carry a wide size range. Worth checking out The Curvy Shop on their site if that’s your figure. I have muscular thighs and glutes, so I prefer their curve options in some styles.
The Bottom Line:
I am a denim junkie – I own over 40 pairs of jeans and 10+ pairs of denim shorts. And I’ve tried countless more over the years, including the pricey Agolde pairs. I come back to Madewell shorts more than any other brand because they fit well, they’re not overly pricey and the styles are timeless enough to earn a spot in my summer capsule wardrobe.
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