Not every short needs to look athletic to be comfortable. Our Trouser Shorts take the tailored look of a classic pair of trousers and shrink it down to short length — complete with a button closure, pleated detail, and vertical stripes designed to lengthen the leg. The result is a short polished enough for the office, yet easy enough to dress down for a casual weekend outing.
In this post, we're covering everything about this GRACE+EMMA staple: the design, the fit, all five striped colorways, and how to style them for work, weekends, and everything in between.
Meet the Trouser Shorts
These striped shorts are the perfect blend of classic and chic, featuring a tailored front waistband with button closure and flattering pleated detail. The vertical stripes create a leg-lengthening effect, while the elastic in the back of the waistband adds all-day comfort and an easy, flexible fit. Lightweight and versatile, they're a polished staple you can dress up with a blouse or keep casual with your favorite tee.
At $41.00, these shorts sit at a slightly higher price point than our athletic Go-Getter Shorts, reflecting the more tailored, trouser-inspired construction.
The Design Details
What sets the Trouser Shorts apart from a typical pair of casual shorts comes down to a handful of thoughtful details:
- Tailored front waistband with button closure — A polished, trouser-style finish rather than a casual pull-on waistband.
- Pleated detail — Adds structure and a flattering drape through the front.
- Vertical stripes — Designed specifically to create a leg-lengthening effect.
- Elastic in the back waistband — Combines the tailored front look with genuine all-day comfort.
- 4" inseam and 12.5" rise — A slightly longer length and higher rise than our athletic shorts, built for a more polished silhouette.
- Some stretch — Enough give for comfortable movement without sacrificing the tailored shape.
Fabric & Care
These shorts are made from a 65% cotton, 30% polyester, 5% spandex blend, giving them a substantial, trouser-like hand-feel while still offering some stretch for comfort. To keep them looking their best:
- Hand wash in cold water
- Do not bleach
- Hang or line dry
Five Stripe Colors, Five Different Moods
This is where the Trouser Shorts really show their range. Each stripe color brings a distinct personality to the same tailored, leg-lengthening silhouette.
Pink Stripes
A soft, feminine pink-and-white stripe. Models Taylor (5'7", typically a Size 8/M) and Ellie (5'6", typically a Size 4/S) both wear a Small. With only 1 left in stock, this is the colorway to grab immediately if it's the one you want.
Green Stripes
A fresh, preppy green-and-white stripe that pairs beautifully with white or navy tops. Models Morgan (5'5", typically a Size 2/XS) and Taylor (5'7", typically a Size 8/M) both wear a Small.
Blue Stripes
A classic, nautical-inspired blue-and-white stripe. Model Taylor (5'7", typically a Size 8/M) wears a Small — this one pairs especially well with our Tops collection for an easy, coastal-inspired outfit.
Black Stripes
The most versatile, wear-with-everything option in the lineup. Models Taylor (5'7", typically a Size 8/M) and Morgan (5'5", typically a Size 2/XS) both wear a Small — with 15 in stock, this is currently our best-stocked colorway.
Yellow Stripes
A cheerful, sunny stripe perfect for brightening up a summer outfit. Model Morgan (5'5", typically a Size 2/XS) wears a Small.
Our recommendation: If you're starting with just one pair, Black Stripes is the most versatile everyday option and currently has the most stock available. If you already have a neutral covered, Blue or Green Stripes are great next picks for a polished, preppy look, and Pink or Yellow Stripes are perfect for adding a soft pop of color.
Fit & Sizing
Unlike our athletic Go-Getter Shorts, the Trouser Shorts run large across all five colorways. Our models range from 5'5" to 5'7" and Size 2 to Size 8, and every single one of them wears a Small — a strong signal that most shoppers should consider sizing down from their usual measurement.
The shorts are available in sizes XS through 3XL. Here's our general body measurement chart for reference:
| Size | Traditional Size | Bust | Waist | Hip/Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0-2 | 30-32 | 24-26 | 31-33 |
| S | 2-4 | 32-34 | 26-28 | 34-38 |
| M | 6-8 | 34-36 | 28-30 | 39-41 |
| L | 10-12 | 36-38 | 30-32 | 42-45 |
| XL | 14-16 | 38-40 | 32-34 | 46-49 |
| 2X | 18 | 40-44 | 34-36 | 50-53 |
| 3X | 20 | 44+ | 36-40 | 53+ |
Tip: Because every model in these photos sized down to a Small regardless of their usual size, we'd recommend doing the same unless you specifically prefer a more relaxed, roomier fit.
Five Ways to Style the Trouser Shorts
Because the tailored silhouette is consistent across every stripe color, these styling formulas work no matter which one you choose:
1. Dressed Up with a Blouse for the Office
Tuck a simple blouse into the Black or Blue Stripes and add loafers or heeled sandals for a polished, office-appropriate look that still feels seasonally fresh.
2. Casual with a Graphic Tee
Pair any stripe color with a relaxed graphic tee, like one from our Graphic Tees collection, and sneakers for an easy, casual-cool combination that plays up the contrast between tailored bottoms and a relaxed top.
3. With a Denim Jacket for Cooler Days
Layer a lightweight denim jacket or our Quilt Jacket, Ivory over a simple top for transitional weather — the structured shorts balance nicely against a more casual outer layer.
4. With a Belt for Extra Polish
Add a slim belt through the button-closure waistband to define your waist further and play up the trouser-inspired silhouette even more.
5. With Statement Jewelry
Because the stripes already bring in pattern, pair these shorts with simple jewelry from our Earrings collection — a delicate hoop or stud lets the tailored stripe pattern remain the outfit's main focal point.
Styling tip: The pleated front and button closure make these shorts a great alternative to a skirt for warm-weather office dressing — pair with a simple button-up or blouse for a look that reads polished without sacrificing comfort.
Building a Capsule Around These Shorts
If you're picking up more than one stripe color, here's a simple way to plan it out:
- Start with Black Stripes as your most versatile, everyday neutral — and currently the best-stocked option.
- Add Blue or Green Stripes for a polished, preppy look that works well for warm-weather office dressing.
- Add Yellow or Pink Stripes for a softer pop of color for weekends and casual outings.
- Pair with your favorite blouses from our Blouses collection for a repeatable, easy outfit formula across every stripe color.
Why a Tailored Short Belongs in Your Closet
Athletic shorts have their place, but there's real value in having a more polished, trouser-inspired option for days that call for a bit more structure. The pleated front, button closure, and leg-lengthening stripes give these shorts a silhouette that reads intentional rather than casual — making them just as appropriate for a warm office as they are for a weekend brunch.
Final Thoughts
Whether you gravitate toward the reliability of Black Stripes, the preppy charm of Blue or Green, or the softer pop of Pink or Yellow, the Trouser Shorts are designed to bring a bit of tailored polish to your warm-weather wardrobe. Dress them up with a blouse for the office, dress them down with a graphic tee for the weekend, or add a belt for extra definition — these shorts adapt to however dressed-up (or down) your day calls for.
Ready to pick your stripe (or a few)? Shop the Trouser Shorts in Pink Stripes, or explore Green, Blue, Black, and Yellow before your favorite sells out — Pink Stripes has only 1 left, and several other colors have limited stock remaining.
Already own a pair (or a few)? Tag us on Instagram @graceandemma to show us how you're styling your GRACE+EMMA Trouser Shorts.