SHOP: The 8 most expensive-looking pieces on the high street this week, from just £12READ MORE: The 6 new fashion rules for wearing a football shirt this World Cup summer – and the chicest high-street styles to shop before kick-offSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy SOPHIE HINES, LIFESTYLE & DIGITAL EDITOR Updated: 14:54 BST, 17 June 2026
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreShorts trends come and go. The tiny, denim hotpants - the ones that revealed more derrière than they covered - are happily out, while the smart, city-short vibe - which I last remember being a big thing when I started working in the early 2010s - has definitely come back around.One style all fashion types are getting on board with this summer is the sporty short - think Adidas Firebirds, or these tracksuit-style ones, which keep selling out from Marks & Spencer. The only question is: how do you style a sports short so that it looks elevated, rather than like a P.E. kit?The person to ask is Angie Smith - one of Instagram's most popular fashion creators, and a stylist whose former clients include Holly Willoughby. She loves the casual, sporty look, although flags that a key element to getting it right is the sizing of the shorts. 'The shorts need to be one size bigger than you’d usually take,' she says. 'Tight shorts are a big no unless they are cycling shorts.'Smith's latest collaboration with The Upside includes the ultimate pair of these laidback, colour-pop shorts - and below she's given us six ways to wear them (even if you're no longer 19...) Angie says: 'I love this style of shorts a beach cover-up. Wear them as you would any other pair of shorts and dress down with an oversized striped shirt over a classic black swimsuit.'Get the look Angie says: 'When choosing a T-shirt to wear with shorts, you want a strong contrast. The shorts are red and silky so you need some that feels androgynous. An oversized tee instantly relaxes the whole look. It's important to keep footwear simple and neutral, so the look is all about the big tee, pop of red and skin. If you went with a black sandal it would fight with the red and also make you legs look shorter - no one wants that.'Get the look Angie says: 'A smart, collared, sleeveless blouse feels like it shouldn't work with these shorts - but when you keep the accessories smart it does. Contrast is the key theme here. When dressing smartly, the shorts add a fun, playful edge to the overall look.'Get the look Angie says: 'Playing with colour is a great way to elevate a casual look and make it feel considered. I love baby blue and red together and by wearing beige and nude tones with socks and sandals, it takes nothing away from the colour.'Get the look Angie says: 'The statement collar on this long-sleeved top instantly smartens up an otherwise pretty casual look, and makes it feel considered.'Get the look Angie says: 'One of my go-to favourite looks is a grey sweater. It instantly balances out the shorts in much the same way as a white T-shirt. I’ve used the grey sweater as a styling point and made sure that the trainers work with it. Note: the trainers are old and very classic, which keeps the look cool. You don’t want shiny new trainers with shiny new shorts!'Get the look Angie says: 'This is as polished as it gets for me. The jacket and the shorts work as a set, the vest is baggy (which makes it less try-hard), and the trainers are polished and dressy, so keep it feeling grown up.'Get the look To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), Facebook (YOU Magazine) and X (@YOUMagSocial).
