Last month, I fell in love with denim shorts for the first time. I am notoriously a skirts-only girl, but finding the right pairs (yes, multiple) of Levi's shorts changed me for the better. Now, they've become a key part of my summer outfit rotation, despite me not having worn them for a majority of my life.
Naturally, I've found ways to style my denim to make it feel more elevated, like with tulle Molly Goddard tops and vintage '90s D&G polos. No matter what, they're still always going to be a bit casual. That's the appeal of denim shorts! They don't try hard. They don't try to be something they're not. They're not fussy. They can get messy, ripped, and worn in and look even better than they had in their original form. You can wear denim to do quite literally anything without having to worry about what might happen to it.
As I've eased my way into wearing shorts more often, I've found myself craving a more structured option that feels inherently more dressed up. While doing some research (i.e., endlessly scrolling while shopping online), I discovered Bode's pleated Brunch Shorts.
The shorts were inspired by a ruffled set that was made up of a dress and matching shorts from the 1970s. Emily Adams Bode Aujla sourced it in Paris and reproduced the shorts silhouette for her brand. Now, they're the object of my affection.
The pleated Bode Brunch Shorts I can't stop thinking about
They look just as good from the back as they do from the front.
The shorts have pleating that gives them a polished school-uniform vibe. They could easily be part of a uniform, so they naturally lend themselves to more buttoned-up styling, like a billowing silk blouse. They would also look fabulous with a beat-up vintage tee for a more down-to-earth look that you could still wear out to dinner and feel great in. The shorts made me realize pleated shorts as a whole are a great next step from denim shorts for the pants-averse like myself. They're certainly more formal but still have all of the fun of cheeky shorts.
While I think the Bode Brunch Shorts are perfect shorts, there are plenty of other pleated-shorts options that help accomplish a similar look. Is my identification as a skirt girl about to become a thing of the past? Honestly… It just might.
Shop the best pleated shorts below.
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