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 moreA stylist friend once told me that no one over the age of 30 should wear shorts. I had just turned 31 and, unthinkingly, accepted this as a fact.There’s this idea that shorts come with an age limit; that once you’re over 30, women’s legs become something to hide beneath floral-print maxi skirts.More than a decade later, this summer’s temperatures have forced a sudden reconsideration. Conceal my legs? No way. Especially when I have seen a few very chic individuals looking amazing in them at my age (41) and beyond.I acknowledge shorts are an uneasy proposition for many, since they expose parts of our bodies we’re taught to scrutinise most closely. It’s little wonder so many of us quietly abandon them after a certain age.But we are wrong to! And with this in mind I headed to the high street on a mission to find the perfect pair.Shorts are in. Finding the right pair for you, however, isn’t easy. And I wanted a pair for every occasion – from the office to the school run and holidays abroad.It seemed obvious that the most flattering style would finish mid-thigh. A classic, standard issue short for someone my age. But after a lot of disappointing fitting-room failures, I realised that what I thought would suit me on paper simply didn’t work. They were the least flattering. Bermuda, £29.99, zara.comSo, I decided to attempt this season’s Bermuda trend, and discovered exactly why the style has returned. Longer and more tailored, it feels less like holiday dressing and more like a genuine wardrobe staple. I was especially taken with Jaeger’s tailored black pair, which would slot perfectly into my warm-weather work wardrobe.There were more surprises too, like how much the smallest details mattered. An extra inch in length could completely change the silhouette. A heavier fabric skimmed the body far more flatteringly than anything too soft or flimsy. It’s not about covering up; it’s about proportion.Going longer than mid-thigh worked so well that I wondered if the opposite would also be true. And sure enough, some of the shorter styles turned out to be both flattering and comfortable. They’re certainly not work-appropriate, but I’d happily wear Essentiel Antwerp’s fun paisley towelling pair for the school run. The substantial, weighty fabric meant I didn’t feel like I was wearing a pair of men’s boxer shorts, as was the case with quite a few of the pairs I tried. At £24, the blue-and-green striped shorts from M&S are a standout. A little too revealing for everyday life in London, perhaps, but they’ll certainly be finding a place in my holiday wardrobe.If there was one lesson from the exercise, it’s this: the longer the shorts, the more tailored they can be; the shorter they are, the looser they should feel. Tight and short is rarely a flattering combination.What surprised me most wasn’t that I found several pairs I wanted to wear. It was realising how many years I’d spent dismissing shorts altogether because of an arbitrary idea about age. It turns out the hardest part wasn’t finding the right pair, it was letting go of the notion that I shouldn’t be wearing them in the first place.JaegerI thought it would be impossible to find a pair of shorts that I would feel comfortable wearing to work, but here they are. They have a smart, tailored finish, just add a white shirt and black ballet pumps and I’m office-ready. Available in sizes 6–20, do note they come up a little big. The only downside? Dry-clean only.Essentiel AntwerpI didn’t expect to, but I love these towelling shorts, they’re such fun. Short, but not alarmingly so, and printed without being childish or twee. Relaxed, high-rise fit with an elasticated waistband. The slanted pockets don’t add bulk to your hips.BodenThese are easy, a safe option. The elasticated back waistband means they’re super comfortable, while the neat button fly keeps the front looking smart. The length works well: not too long or too short. A great first pair if you’re easing yourself back into wearing shorts. Sizes 6–22. And if you like the cut, they’re available in eight different colourways.Sea-mI found them. These are the closest thing to universally flattering shorts I tried. If the tomato red feels a little out there, they also come in off-white. They’re 100 per cent linen but so soft with none of the usual stiffness so they move beautifully. Culotte-style shorts that feel surprisingly easy to wear. Not the most affordable, but worth every penny. Finished with side and rear pockets, they’re elasticated at the back for comfort and flat at the front for flattery.M&SAt just £24, these striped shorts are a brilliant summer buy. Made from 100 per cent cotton, they’re light, breathable and will be brilliant on holiday, but only on holiday. The pyjama-inspired look is fabulous, but far too casual for everyday life, even for the school run. These will be perfect over a swimming costume on the beach.Nobody’s ChildMade from a comfortable cotton blend, these Nobody’s Child shorts have an elasticated waistband so they’re easy to pull on and sit flat against the stomach – no bulky button detailing. The classy olive shade means they don’t have to be reserved for holidays. These come with a matching top, so well worth trying as part of a coord.