The long and the jort of it
We’ve had the shacket, jeggings and the shootie (a shoe/boot hybrid). Ok well maybe that last one never took off but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that fashion loves a funny portmanteau.
This season is all about the jort. Now I will admit I was a little bit puzzled when I first heard people talking about jorts. I assumed it had something to do with shorts, but I couldn’t figure it out until it hit me like a lightning bolt. It’s…jean shorts!
I assumed this was a new phrase but apparently this term has been used since the 1990s in America and with ‘dorky’ connotations.
However, the 2026 jort is all about cool, city break style and with a longer more knee length Bermuda style. I have, as of yet, not gotten on board with this trend but I am willing to at least try a pair on in the fitting room as I do like the look on other people and shorts are always a super comfortable option. With all this in mind, I’ve been doing some research on how I might style a pair of jorts.
The classic denim cutoff will always be a wardrobe staple in high summer, and they are perfect for beach days & summer gigs but they do tend to err on the more casual side of things. The mid length jort is even more versatile and can lend itself to nights out, dinner dates and a more relaxed workwear style. The styling options are endless and a lot depends on the style of jort you choose to wear.
Bleached and lighter denim is really having a moment this summer and is the perfect sort of denim for a wider more relaxed leg jort. Keep it super simple and style a pair with a cropped black t-shirt, relaxed fit denim blazer and black thong, heeled sandal. Just add a pop of red courtesy of a red lip or handbag. You could also style it with a white shirt and simple heels or a striped t-shirt and your favourite pair of trainers. That’s already three totally different options from smart to casual so you know the cost per wear is going to be good with the jort.
For holiday wear, just think how cool the bleached denim jort would look worn with an oversized linen shirt and flip flops. Easy, breezy holiday style but still looking put together.
A darker denim option really lends itself to a more tailored, structured feel and could be worn for workwear if you happen to have a more relaxed dress code. The darker denim is also a good option to carry you through to your transitional summer to autumn wardrobe when styled in the right way. Pop a gorgeous cashmere cardigan over the top and wear with some loafers and you could easily wear this look come autumn.
The darker denim is where you can really elevate the jort by pairing it with a tailored blazer, tank top and again some thong heeled sandals. I know this summer sandals can seem like torture. I recently purchased a pair and had to spend a week wearing them around the house but they’re reasonably comfortable now and these sandals are a styling game changer when it comes to Bermuda shorts.
Keep everything else simple and style with a chunky gold necklace and some gold earrings and you have a look that is just begging to go on a chic city break.