How to Wear Bloomer Shorts, Summer’s Most Unexpected Trend
Call them bloomers, bubble skorts, or balloon shorts—no matter the name, the effect is the same: a playfully voluminous silhouette that’s suddenly everywhere this spring. These thigh-grazing, puffed-up bottoms are reclaiming their place in the fashion spotlight, offering a fresh feminine counterpoint to the tailored staples and cargo shorts that have dominated recent seasons. While their roots can be traced back to vintage lingerie and 18th-century undergarments, today’s versions feel more street style than sleepwear, thanks to elevated fabrics, unexpected pairings, and clever styling.
Designers like Chloé and emerging labels like Posse and Tae Park are leading the charge, reimagining the silhouette in crisp cottons, whispery sheers, and luxe textures that beg for a vacation setting—or at the very least, a warm-weather weekend look. What’s striking about this trend isn’t just its shape, but its range. Whether you’re pairing a candy-colored pair with a triangle bikini top and an oversized button-down à la French Riviera-chic, or grounding white poplin versions with minimalist staples and sculptural jewelry, bloomer shorts are surprisingly versatile.
For those with a bohemian streak, the style also lends itself to romantic layering—think lace-trimmed camisoles, ankle-tie shoes, and straw accessories that look plucked straight from a midsummer daydream. Equal parts coquette-ish and cool, they’re proof that comfort and fashion don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Ahead, find our favorite ways to wear the look—and where to shop them now.
With a Swimsuit
With Minimalist Staples
With Boho-Inspired Separates
With a Coordinating Top
With a Sporty Polo
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