Sun’s out, bums out. Your celebrity-approved guide to micro shorts

She struts the streets, thighs out, dreams ablaze. Between the ’60s to the ’70s, women were beginning to have a taste of what it meant when we could have it all. When shorts—no longer shunned nor seen as articles of definance—burst into the style scene, oft associated with popular icons at the time. Think Catherine Bach’s Daisy Duke, the girl who made daisy dukes, or short jean shorts, a thing. Androgynous designer and icon, Dame Mary Quant, may have been better known for the mini skirt, but she was also the biggest proponent for the hot pant.

The retro hot pant style has since been through its slew of iterations. Designers revived it in recent years too; from Tom Ford to Gucci and Miu Miu, the spring/summer 2024 season was all about the hiked up hemline.

And it isn’t going anywhere just yet. Not when all the biggest pop girlies of our generation are putting their best hot pants on for the stage. In fact, the hemlines are getting even higher. Beyond mere summer essential, these extremely short shorts have been worn in a dizzying array of styles. Jennie’s double weekend run at Coachella alone brought out the big guns. Belted leather moments on stage, fringe detailing, and even a casual striped knit number.

2025’s go-to festival returnee Olivia Rodrigo is known to rock it out on the stage in micros too, her embellished shorts take on Ginger Spice’s Union Jack look, paired to a baby tee–a definitive favourite outfit of hers. Then there’s Sabrina Carpenter whose recent music video for ‘Manchild’ sees her sport all sorts of ultra short styles, from denims to ginghams.

One thing we know for sure, these pop stars aren’t about to retire their adored pairs of hot pants anytime soon. From knitted options to leather deliveries and beach-ready bloomers, look no further if you’re looking to join in on some of the butt cheek action soon.

1 / 21

The embellished life: Olivia Rodrigo

2 / 21

Dolce and Gabbana orange sequin shorts, $1,240

Available at Farfetch.

3 / 21

Coperni knitted butterfly shorts, $589

Available at Ssense.

4 / 21

Gingham party: Olivia Dean

5 / 21

Miu Miu shorts, $2090

Available at Miu Miu.

6 / 21

Sandy Liang shorts, $250

Available at Ssense.

7 / 21

Knitted and fitted: Dua Lipa

8 / 21

Chloé crochet knit shorts, $742

Available at Farfetch.

9 / 21

Ottolinger ribbed shorts, $424

Available at Ssense.

10 / 21

Leather and bolt: Jennie Kim

11 / 21

Retrofete lace-up leather shorts, $507

Available at Farfetch.

12 / 21

Miaou rocco shorts, $454

Available at Revolve.

13 / 21

Blooming bloomers: Sabrina Carpenter

14 / 21

Jacquemus embroidered lace shorts, $380

Available at MyTheresa.

15 / 21

Aniye Records shorts, $445

Available at Revolve.

16 / 21

Denim diaries: Tyla

17 / 21

Balenciaga mini shorts, $1,590

Available at Balenciaga.

18 / 21

MM6 Maison Margiela denim shorts, $290

Available at Ssense.

19 / 21

Frills and things: Lisa and Jisoo

20 / 21

Kim Shui shorts, $391

Available at Ssense.

21 / 21

Chopova Lowena mini shorts, $790

Available at Farfetch.