#TheLIST: The Almighty Jean Short
An unofficial history of the unsung hero of warm weather dressing…
When cut-offs are on the agenda, nothing else will do. Over the past 50 years this casual go-to has become a classic—thanks to Daisy Duke, who helped usher in the jean short to the masses, and girls like Gigi Hadid and Kate Moss, who consistently reinvent ways to wear them now. See these jean dreams everywhere from Coachella to the early runways of Alexander Wang.
The Patron Saint
Catherine Bach in The Dukes of Hazzard made ultra-short jeans shorts de rigueur in the late '70s.
Pedal Pushing
Goldie Hawn went a little longer in 1965 while still selling the trend.
Bombshell Style
Michelle Pfeiffer shows off her stems in 1980, making the risky choice of pairing hers with high heels—and pulling it off.
Rocker Chic
While Daisy took the shorts country, Debbie Harry shows their intrinsic rocker side in 1977.
Dancing Shorts
Jennifer Grey brought cuffed denim to the outdoor dance floor in Dirty Dancing.
Babe Watch
Pamela Anderson proves this look has made its way into every decade, wearing hers in perfect '90s style.
The Campaign
Cindy Crawford's Pepsi campaign in 1992 could have sold more jean shorts than soda.
Glam Squad
Chloe Sevingy took her shorts evening-style in 2002.
Yes, She Cannes
Chloe sends the message that if you have the stems, denim shorts are still fab 15 years later—especially when paired with Chanel.
The Champion
Kate Moss hardly met a jean short she didn't love—most often pairing hers with booties and blazers.
Early 'Chella
Taryn Manning and Nicole Richie bring denim shorts to Coachella in one of its early runs in 2006.
Coachella Now
Josephine Skriver, Alessandra Ambrosio, Hailey Clauson and Jasmine Tookes show that the denim short is still the ultimate music festival accessory.
In the Pages of BAZAAR
Anna Ewers goes cropped on cropped in a Bardot-inspired shoot in 2015.
Wang Time
Alexander Wang became a fashion sensation, bringing downtown cool to the catwalk in the form of louche jean shorts and a tee in his Spring 2008 collection.
Keep it Classic
Alexa Chung brings a French Riviera vibe to jean shorts, pairing hers with a breton stripe and ballet flats in 2012.
Wear Your PJs
Diane Kruger was an early adopter of the PJ trend in 2013, keeping things cozy and cool.
The Bad Gal
Riri keeps things fresh and neutral in an oversized button down.
The White Time
Kate Bosworth goes white on white in a bleached out take on the look.
The It Chicks
Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner continue the legacy of the denim cut-off, showing its nearly endless versatility.
Kerry Pieri is Harper's Bazaar's Digital Fashion/Features Director. Kerry oversees the fashion vertical for BAZAAR.com, including launching digital covers, styling celebrity features, and managing recurring features including Brand Watch and My Life in Three Looks. In addition, Kerry edits the “best of” each season, from shoes to bags, denim and coats, and is consistently looking for shifts in the fashion realm to lend a voice. Kerry formerly served as the Editorial Director of StyleCaster.com and as a producer at Full Frontal Fashion. She lives in New York with her husband Steve, and baby girl Lila Sky.
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