I Tested 30 Shorts Brands — Here’s What Actually Fits (and What Doesn’t)

Let’s be honest: buying shorts is rarely fun. They bunch, gape, ride up, dig in, and worst of all — the size label means almost nothing. A Medium in one store fits like a Small, and a size 12 might feel like a 16 depending on where you shop. After months of user testing at Tellar.co.uk, I’ve gone deep into the data, measured the inconsistencies, and tested dozens of brands myself.

So here it is — my guide to the top 30 shorts brands you should know about, split by price tier, with real insight into how each brand fits, what they get right, and where to be cautious.

And if you're sick of the sizing roulette, just skip to Tellar.co.uk — our tool lets you enter your body measurements once, and we instantly show you your correct size in over 1,500 brands. It’s free, fast, and frankly long overdue.

High Street Heroes – Affordable, But Inconsistent

1. Zara

Love their linen shorts, hate their sizing. You’ll often need to size up — especially if you’re curvier in the hips.

2. H&M

Surprisingly decent range and often a generous fit. Their cotton shorts and basic pull-ons are easy summer wins.

3. Uniqlo

AIRism is a game-changer. Lightweight, breathable, but note: these run slim and straight — not a great match for hourglass or pear shapes.

4. Marks & Spencer

M&S is old-school reliable. Linen blends, inclusive sizing, and their tailored options hold up well for workwear.

5. Next

Their shorts aren’t flashy, but they’re consistent. I’ve had luck with both their city shorts and more relaxed cotton styles.

6. River Island

Definitely more of a “going out” brand — think tight fits, bold colours, and some sizing surprises. Order a backup size if unsure.

7. Primark

Super budget-friendly, but fit varies wildly. Try on in store if you can, or better yet, run it through Tellar before you buy.

8. New Look

Great for stretch denim and anything high-waisted. Plus, their Curve range is strong.

9. ASOS

ASOS DESIGN has one of the widest ranges I’ve seen, from petite to tall to curve. Just make sure you're clear on which sub-brand you’re buying from.

10. Bershka

Trendy and slim-cut. If you’re straight-figured or petite, they’ll probably fit like a glove. Otherwise? Size up.

Mid-Tier Brands – Better Quality, Still Hit-or-Miss Sizing

11. & Other Stories

Elevated, minimal tailoring. Their shorts feel expensive — because they are. Waistbands are narrow though; not very forgiving.

12. Mango

I love their co-ords. The shorts often come with matching tops or jackets, but the sizing leans small — especially in hips.

13. COS

Structured and modern. These aren’t “sexy” shorts — but if you love clean lines and great fabric, you’re in.

14. Massimo Dutti

This one frustrates me. Beautiful designs, poor sizing logic. Almost always too small — I size up every time.

Check your real size before investing.

15. Arket

Sustainable and solid quality. Their sizing feels closer to accurate, and their unisex styles are a nice bonus.

16. Whistles

If you’re curvy, Whistles is worth a look. Tailored options with a little more room in the hip and thigh.

17. Boden

Bright, optimistic, and very true-to-size. They offer petite, tall and curve options across the board.

18. Nobody’s Child

A personal favourite for festival season. Elasticated waists, vintage prints — and they don’t break the bank.

19. AllSaints

Definitely a vibe: edgy, distressed, a bit moody. These fit small and snug — ideal for a rocker aesthetic, less so for comfort.

20. Levi’s

Can’t skip the queen of denim. 501s are iconic, but they fit tighter than expected. Their “Wedgie” and “Ribcage” styles offer more flexibility in the hip.

Luxury + Designer – When the Investment’s Worth It

21. Reiss

Their shorts are built like tailored trousers. Think city-ready cuts, elevated materials — just make sure the waist fits before you remove the tag.

22. Rag & Bone

You’re paying for the fabric and finish here. Raw hems, vintage washes — perfect for elevated denim.

23. Zimmermann

Floaty, floral and flirty. These are summer statement pieces. Gorgeous on tall, slim figures — less forgiving for curve-heavy bodies.

24. Totême

Clean, minimalist, expensive. Best for rectangular silhouettes — if you have a defined waist and full hips, the fit can be off.

25. Ganni

Scandi cool, oversized by design. I tend to size down unless I’m specifically going for that boxy street-style look.

26. The Frankie Shop

Their blazer sets with matching Bermuda shorts? Unreal. But make sure you’re using body measurements — their fit model is very straight-framed.

27. A.P.C.

Timeless. Think raw denim or crisp cotton, and cuts that don’t chase trends. Consistent sizing, too.

28. Alo Yoga

If you're into athletic shorts, Alo gets it right. But compression means you need the exact fit — too tight and you’ll feel it.

29. Sporty & Rich

Terrycloth, varsity fonts, that country club feel. Their shorts are roomy and designed for off-duty days.

30. Skims

Kim Kardashian’s Skims collection makes bike shorts feel intentional. Fit depends massively on fabric line — use Tellar to avoid sizing fails.

Why I Use Tellar.co.uk for Shorts (and Everything Else)

Here’s the truth: brand size charts are generic. Most don’t account for hip-to-waist ratio, rise, or how different fabrics behave when worn. And none compare sizing across brands.

At Tellar.co.uk, we fix that. You enter your actual measurements (chest, waist, hips), and we run them against real sizing data from over 1,500 brands to find the right size — in every store.

So instead of buying a 12 from Zara, a 14 from COS, and a Medium from Ganni and returning all three… you’ll know your perfect fit before you click “buy.”

Want to Try It? It’s Free & Easy

✅ Head to Tellar.co.uk

✅ Enter your measurements (or choose your known size in a brand)

✅ Get real-time size matches for 1,500+ stores

✅ Say goodbye to returns and wardrobe regret

It’s genuinely that simple. No cost, no app download, no more size label roulette.