Bloomer-Style Shorts Are Everywhere, So Here’s The Proof That They’re More Wearable Than You Think

First came nightdresses as the ultimate summer outfit, closely followed by boxer shorts and even PJ bottoms. Fashion, clearly, is preoccupied by the most foundational of pieces in our wardrobes right now, namely underwear and what we wear to bed. As far as trends go, however, there's one which is dominating social media feeds everywhere, although one can't exactly proclaim this item to be 'new', given that it originated in the mid-19th century. I am, of course, talking about bloomers.

While the current iteration may look a little differently to their 19th century counterparts – which emerged as an alternative to very restrictive forms of dress at the time – there's no denying that the shorts we've seen on Anya Taylor-Joy at Glastonbury and hundreds of TikTok and Instagram accounts – not to mention the catwalk – are bloomer by nature. The term generally refers to billowing, loose undergarments, which now translates to ruched shorts, some ruffled, some smocked but all unrestrictive in shape and fit.

They're being worn in myriad ways, too. Some have paired theirs with similarly billowy blouses to really lean in to that cottagecore vibe, while others have offset the whimsical nature of bloomers with oversized knits on top, as well as socks and trainers or ballet pumps (for all fans of balletcore out there).

Lots of these shorts have also been spotted as the companion to knee-high boots, which I must admit looks much better than it perhaps sounds. Just think of them as the easier, more comfortable and flattering version of denim hot pants.

Clearly, bloomers lend themselves to summer days spent touring a vineyard, walking on the beach, chilling in a pub garden or simply running errands in a heatwave but that hasn't stopped the likes of Simone Rocha and Ann Demeulemeester championing them for autumn/winter 2024.

The former showed pretty sheer organza bloomers with a matching tailored jacket, while the latter's were styled with a silk cami underneath a heavy leather coat and combat boots. It's not the first time Rocha has dabbled with this style, either – her long white bloomers were worn by Hailey Bieber earlier this year. Before that, Julia Fox showcased a ruffled pair in the depths of winter, making yet another case for their multi-seasonal appeal.

If the mere prospect of shorter styles leaves you running for the hills, look for the longer styles which feel much less daunting. M&S's white cotton pair, for example, give bloomer vibes without showing off every inch of leg – they're sold as part of a nightwear set, technically, but this co-ord would arguably work for summer days, too. Or, you could wear the shorts with a tucked-in crisp shirt and add ankle socks with loafers. Free People is full of bloomers of all shapes and sizes, including this pair of bike shorts (which you could even wear peeking out underneath a mini skirt) and a pair which are more of a peddle pusher length but which still give the joyous breeziness bloomers afford.

Elsewhere, Cynthia Rowley's ruffle-edge satin bloomers will pair perfectly with a cardigan and ballet pumps (add tights in the autumn), while Isabel Marant's lace-trimmed cotton shorts will look great with a simple T-shirt and flat sandals.

Shop: The Best Bloomer-Style Shorts 2024

Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.