High Waisted Denim Shorts for Curves: Fit, Sizing and How to Style Them

Denim shorts should be the easiest thing in your summer wardrobe. If you've got curves, they're often the hardest. They fit your hips but gap at the waist, they ride up between your thighs after ten minutes, or the waistband digs in every time you sit down.

Most of that comes down to the cut, not your body. Here's what to look for in high waisted denim shorts for curves, how to get the size right, and a few easy ways to wear them this summer.

Why high waisted shorts work better on curves

A high rise sits at the narrowest part of your waist, usually at or just above your belly button. That's where shorts need to grip. Low and mid-rise shorts sit on the widest part of your hips instead, so they slide down when you move and gap at the back when you bend.

A high waist also smooths the tummy and makes the curve from your waist to your hips stand out, which is the whole point of a sculpting fit. Shorts that sit high and hug through the hip shape your bum far better than a looser, low-slung pair.

What to look for

• A rise that reaches your waist. Look for "high waisted" or "high rise", then check the photos. If the waistband sits on the hip bones, it isn't high enough.
• Real stretch, with recovery. Rigid denim that fits your hips will be loose at the waist. Stretch denim, usually cotton with a little spandex or elastane, can hug both. Recovery matters too, so the shorts snap back instead of bagging out by the afternoon.
• Enough room through the thigh. If the leg opening is too tight, every step pulls the shorts up. Fitted but not squeezing is what stops them riding up.
• A length that covers the seat. On a fuller bum, very short cuts end up shorter at the back than the front. A little more length keeps you covered when you sit or bend.

How to get your size right

Measure your waist at its narrowest point and your hips at the fullest part. If your waist is a lot smaller than your hips, go by your hip measurement and let the stretch and the high rise hold the waist. If you've had the same back gap problem with jeans, our guide to jeans for a small waist and big hips explains why it happens.

A few quick checks when you try a pair on:

• Sit down. The waistband shouldn't dig in or roll over.
• Squat or bend. There should be no gap at the back of the waist.
• Walk around for a few minutes. If they creep up your thighs, the leg is too tight, so try the next size up.

Our Sculpt Denim Shorts

We made the Sculpt Denim Shorts for exactly this. They have a high waist that sits above the navel and high stretch denim (68% cotton, 28% polyester, 2% viscose, 2% spandex) that hugs your curves and holds its shape. There's a zip fly, five pockets, and a raw frayed hem with a small front rip.

They come in mid blue, dark blue, black and grey, in sizes S to XXXL, and fit true to size. Tap Size guide on the product page for the measurements. Buy 2 or 3 pairs in any mix of colours and sizes and the pack price is applied automatically in your cart.

How to style high waisted denim shorts this summer

Tucked-in tee and sneakers. The everyday version. A fitted white tee or bodysuit tucked in shows off your waist, and white sneakers keep it easy.

Crop top for hot days. A crop that ends right at the waistband shows off the high waist without much tummy on show. Black shorts with a bright crop work well for evenings out.

Open shirt over a singlet. Throw a linen or button-up shirt over a fitted singlet with the sleeves rolled. It gives you sun cover at the beach or the markets and balances fuller hips.

Belt and sandals for brunch. Add a slim belt and flat or block-heel sandals for something a bit more put together. Mid blue looks great with tan leather.

Over your swimmers. Pull them on over a one-piece or bikini on the way to the beach. Darker washes like dark blue, black and grey hide sand and sunscreen marks better than light ones.

Caring for stretch denim shorts

Heat breaks down stretch fibres, and that's what makes shorts lose their shape. Wash them cold and inside out, hang them to dry and skip the dryer. They'll keep their hug a lot longer.

Quick answers

Do high waisted shorts make your bum look bigger? They can make it look higher and rounder. A high waist and a close fit through the hip show off your shape instead of flattening it.

Why do my denim shorts keep riding up? Usually the leg opening is too tight for your thighs, or the denim has no stretch. Try a stretch pair, or go up a size.

Should denim shorts be tight or loose? For a sculpted look, close through the hip and seat with a little room at the thigh. Too loose and you lose the shape. Too tight and they ride up.

Ready for summer? Shop the Sculpt Denim Shorts, with tracked shipping across Australia.