The Best Abercrombie Denim Shorts (plus sizing tips)

When it comes to finding the perfect pair of denim shorts that fit well in the waist, hips, thighs, and butt, Abercrombie shorts are hard to beat. While I’ve owned pricier pairs of denim (including the Agolde denim shorts with a cult following), I still think Abercrombie denim shorts are the best. They have flattering, comfortable styles and are perfect for moms (i.e., longer inseams and not low rise) or for anyone looking for timeless denim pieces. If you’ve been hunting for the best denim shorts, the hunt is over. In this post, I’ll detail the best Abercrombie denim shorts, my top pick, and whether to size up or down.

The Best Abercrombie Denim Shorts

If you’re looking for mom-friendly denim shorts that can handle chasing kids every day, long road trips and vacations, or casual weekends, Abercrombie denim shorts are my top pick and one of the most-worn items in my closet. I talk more about my favorite denim shorts for moms in this post, but — spoiler alert — the Abercrombie High-Rise Dad Short is hands-down the winner. Details below.

Abercrombie High Rise Dad Shorts

After trying multiple styles, my #1 pick is the Abercrombie High-Rise Dad Short. They strike the perfect balance between structure and softness, with enough stretch to move with you but not lose shape. They are also incredibly flattering on the butt and thighs— something many other brands struggle with– and they fit well in the waist. They also have a perfect inseam length of 5″, so they are appropriate for a 40-year-old mom but not too long to look frumpy on my petite 5’1” frame. You can see how they look and move in this video where I’m wearing the Dad Shorts. I have these in a size 27, which is a size up from my normal Abercrombie size since I bought these a few months postpartum. But I actually love that they feel just a tad loose, though, so I’d recommend that you size up in these for comfort.

These come in a Curve Love fit, which has additional room through the hip and thigh. This fit is great for eliminating that waist gap while still having room through the legs, and the perfect option for curvier body types.

I’ve tried plenty of options for denim shorts, including Madewell (you can read my review of Madewell shorts here) and pricier pairs like Agolde, but the Abercrombie Dad jean shorts win for comfort, fit, and durability– and this is the best style they sell. This year, they didn’t make the same wash with the wide hem like I’m wearing below, but I love the other colors and washes they made this year. I just ordered white!

More Abercrombie Denim Shorts I Approve

• Abercrombie High Rise Loose Shorts – A great option if you want something with a more relaxed and laid-back fit, without losing shape or style. These have a longer fit (6″ inseam). See a video where I try on these Loose Shorts here.
• High Rise 4″ Mom Short – These are new this year! They have a high rise and relaxed fit through the hip and thigh, a 4″ inseam, and are made in a vintage stretch denim. I prefer a slightly longer inseam, so I opt for the Dad short instead.
• Mid-Rise A-Line Short – I like these, but I prefer a higher rise when possible. These are a great option if you like a 4″ inseam with an almost skirt-like look.

They also have other options like bermuda-length “jorts”, baggy low-rise styles, and a high rise 90s cut off style with a 3.25″ inseam — but these aren’t really my cup of tea.

Here are a few snaps of the High Rise Loose Shorts.

Is it better to size up or down in Abercrombie jeans?

For Abercrombie denim shorts and jeans, I recommend sticking with your true size or sizing up if you’re between sizes. Their denim tends to run slightly snug in the waist and butt, so if you have curvier hips or stronger thighs, sizing up will give you a more comfortable fit without losing the flattering shape. The brand balances structure with stretch, but comfort is key, especially in shorts. I ordered the Dad Shorts last year when I was newly postpartum, so I sized up one size from what I wear now, and I still like how they feel today. And, of course, they make a Curve Love fit in all of their denim, which helps eliminate a waist gap while still leaving room in the leg, so that’s a great option if you don’t want to size up but still want more room. I’ve added some photos below that show how great these shorts are on different body types. My nanny has the Curve Love fit and they look amazing on her.

In short, if you’re on the fence, go with the larger size — it’ll still look great and feel even better.

If you’re an Abercrombie fan like me, don’t miss these posts: 

• My full guide to the best Abercrombie jeans
• My favorite Abercrombie Essentials
• A review of Abercrombie’s Leather Pants

You may also like these posts for more style inspiration:

• The 5 Best Jean Shorts for Moms
• Build A Better Wardrobe: 5 Spring Must-Haves
• 3 Must-Have Jeans
• The 7 Best Madewell Jeans
• The Best Jeans to Add to Your Closet

For styling ideas, check out these posts:

• 5 Shoes to Wear with Mom Jeans
• The Best White Sneakers
• The Best White Jeans
• How to Style Light Blue Denim
• Neutral Sandals You’ll Wear on Repeat

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