i'm a big fan of shorts, and i'm in my early 30s. i have a lot of chino shorts from when i was in college in a preppy town, but i also love jean shorts. i generally prefer shorter shorts, with a 2-4" inseam. it's pretty easy to fold longer shorts up for a 2" inseam for a more casual setting. i wear my shorts out running errands, to the beach, shopping, out to casual dinner/drinks, pretty much everywhere except nice restaurants/bars or to the office. my view is that i have a cute butt, and i don't mind showing it off (neither does my husband) lol. if people don't like it they don't have to look! in the summer i wear mostly dresses or skirts to work instead. there might be some workplaces that are very casual where sth like a paperbag short might be ok, but i'd feel more comfortable in shorter culottes or some longer shorts like this than my normal 2-4" inseam shorts for the office specifically. edit: also i don't think you have to 'dress like an adult' just because you're in your 20s now. i'm 10 years older than you and last weekend i wore an old band tee, ripped jeans and punk-y silver-hardware boots out for lunch with friends. i really think dressing to make yourself happy is more important than trying to dress a certain age. wear 2" inseam shorts! let some old auntie think you're a ho, who cares!! you shouldn't! the only place i really try to look put together is for work, but even then you can take a lot of liberties with your personal style to not just be another jcrew clone or w/e. Answer from Pitta_ on reddit.com
🌐
Pinterest
pinterest.com › marlenedhoskins › khaki-shorts-outfit
Khaki shorts outfit
Chic Khaki Shorts · Beige Summer Shorts For Work · How To Wear Khaki Shorts · Khaki Shorts Blue Shirt · Collared Shirt With Roll-up Sleeves For Day Out · Shorts Shirt Outfits Women · Blue Casual Shorts Style · Casual Beige Shorts For Day Out · Casual Beige Shorts Style ·
🌐
Quora
quora.com › What-colors-match-with-khaki-shorts
What colors match with khaki shorts? - Quora
Answer (1 of 6): You must be kidding, or just bored. Your shorts are called Khaki not only because of the Color of the shorts but because of the type of material. I will presume that you’re speaking of the Beige color of your shorts because your question centers around Color.
Discussions

How do you wear shorts as an adult, and what is appropriate for different settings?
i'm a big fan of shorts, and i'm in my early 30s. i have a lot of chino shorts from when i was in college in a preppy town, but i also love jean shorts. i generally prefer shorter shorts, with a 2-4" inseam. it's pretty easy to fold longer shorts up for a 2" inseam for a more casual setting. i wear my shorts out running errands, to the beach, shopping, out to casual dinner/drinks, pretty much everywhere except nice restaurants/bars or to the office. my view is that i have a cute butt, and i don't mind showing it off (neither does my husband) lol. if people don't like it they don't have to look! in the summer i wear mostly dresses or skirts to work instead. there might be some workplaces that are very casual where sth like a paperbag short might be ok, but i'd feel more comfortable in shorter culottes or some longer shorts like this than my normal 2-4" inseam shorts for the office specifically. edit: also i don't think you have to 'dress like an adult' just because you're in your 20s now. i'm 10 years older than you and last weekend i wore an old band tee, ripped jeans and punk-y silver-hardware boots out for lunch with friends. i really think dressing to make yourself happy is more important than trying to dress a certain age. wear 2" inseam shorts! let some old auntie think you're a ho, who cares!! you shouldn't! the only place i really try to look put together is for work, but even then you can take a lot of liberties with your personal style to not just be another jcrew clone or w/e. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/femalefashionadvice
28
55
March 13, 2021
I need some khaki inspo, ladies.
I don't think khakis are overly formal for day-to-day wear (a little biased, since I wear them casually). I have a pair of skinny ankle-length crops that I wear with a chambray shirt, stripey tees, tanks and cardigans (usually with a scarf or a long necklace), flowy tops, etc. I treat them more or less like a skinny jean, but match for color accordingly. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/femalefashionadvice
3
0
July 31, 2013
Dry-fit khaki colored shorts?
I have light khaki coloured Brooklyn pants from Athleta that don’t show sweat - might work? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/bitcheswithtaste
6
2
July 2, 2024
I don't know how to wear shorts?
Those shorts are neutral and fine! You could honestly wear them with any of the tops in your album that aren't big, heavy coats. Sandals are the most obvious shoe to wear with shorts since, y'know, warm weather, but sneakers/flats/loafers are fine. I think you just have to dive in and get used to the way they look and feel on your body. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/femalefashionadvice
83
332
January 17, 2017
🌐
Pinterest
pinterest.com › 2sassiecassie › khaki-short-outfits
Khaki Short Outfits
Salmon Shorts Outfit · What To Wear With Khaki Shorts · Khaki Trouser Shorts Outfit · Casual Khaki Shorts For Work · Casual Khaki Shorts Style · Beige Summer Shorts For Work · Khaki Shorts Blue Shirt · Colored Shorts Outfits Women · Chic Khaki Shorts For Day Out ·
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/femalefashionadvice › how do you wear shorts as an adult, and what is appropriate for different settings?
r/femalefashionadvice on Reddit: How do you wear shorts as an adult, and what is appropriate for different settings?
March 13, 2021 -

Hey all! Hoping to get some insight into the world of shorts.
I'm in my early 20's and gradually upgrading my wardrobe a bit for post-college life. Up til now, my repertoire of shorts has been

  • DIY denim cutoffs made from a thrifted pair of Levi's 510s (comfy, well loved, extremely short to the point of booty-showing if I'm not careful)

  • Lightly distressed olive short shorts (less comfortable, but more covered up than the Levi's, pretty sure they're from the Target teens' department)

  • Quick-dry short board shorts for the beach

  • Gym shorts

I'm generally happy with my legs and rear and don't feel the need to cover up for modesty's sake, but lately my shorts options don't sync up with the more put-together look that I'm going for. But I'm really struggling to find more "grown up" options that I like. I've observed adult-ish shorts falling into some categories:

  1. Denim/linen/chino shorts that are still really short (2-3 inch inseam), but aren't distressed and have a finished hem

  2. "Retro" shorts like what's on Modcloth - high rise, A-shaped, loose around the legs

  3. Paperbag shorts - loose, high rise, belted waist

  4. Mid-thigh and longer: long denim shorts, bermudas, fashion bike shorts

(1), (2), and (3) definitely look more put-together than shredded denim booty shorts, but are they really more classy/versatile? I still feel they need to be just as short to look attractive on me. (4) just does not feel flattering no matter what I do.

I would love to know what kind of shorts, if any, you'd wear in different settings:

  • To the grocery store

  • To a grad school lecture

  • Out to dinner (the sort of place that doesn't have an official dress code, but everyone dresses semi-nicely)

  • To work (are there shorts you can wear to the office? I know offices have different expectations, but I've been taught that skirts for the office should be knee-length, and certainly never shorter than mid-thigh. Shorts in this length range feel extremely unflattering on me.)

Are booty shorts becoming more generally accepted? Is it possible to look good in shorts with an inseam longer than 2 inches? Have I been brainwashed into feeling I need to reveal as much leg as possible? Do you think that 2-inch shorts are acceptable outside of the club? Do the rules change when it's hot outside? Please share your wisdom!

Top answer
1 of 24
64
i'm a big fan of shorts, and i'm in my early 30s. i have a lot of chino shorts from when i was in college in a preppy town, but i also love jean shorts. i generally prefer shorter shorts, with a 2-4" inseam. it's pretty easy to fold longer shorts up for a 2" inseam for a more casual setting. i wear my shorts out running errands, to the beach, shopping, out to casual dinner/drinks, pretty much everywhere except nice restaurants/bars or to the office. my view is that i have a cute butt, and i don't mind showing it off (neither does my husband) lol. if people don't like it they don't have to look! in the summer i wear mostly dresses or skirts to work instead. there might be some workplaces that are very casual where sth like a paperbag short might be ok, but i'd feel more comfortable in shorter culottes or some longer shorts like this than my normal 2-4" inseam shorts for the office specifically. edit: also i don't think you have to 'dress like an adult' just because you're in your 20s now. i'm 10 years older than you and last weekend i wore an old band tee, ripped jeans and punk-y silver-hardware boots out for lunch with friends. i really think dressing to make yourself happy is more important than trying to dress a certain age. wear 2" inseam shorts! let some old auntie think you're a ho, who cares!! you shouldn't! the only place i really try to look put together is for work, but even then you can take a lot of liberties with your personal style to not just be another jcrew clone or w/e.
2 of 24
57
Absolutely no shorts to my work. Ever. But I work in legal business casual. Otherwise, I'm 33 and wear them. I live in a hot and sweaty climate, and the "age appropriate" thing is quite frankly ridiculous. You're early 20s, not 90. I usually go for shorts that are quite wide cut in the hips and thighs, almost like a skirt, as those are most flattering on me. I always do a sit test, and the back hem of the shorts needs to completely cover my butt when I sit down, otherwise they're too short. Since I have a bigger backside, that means a 3 inch inseam is the minimum on me. 2 inch would be like underwear.
🌐
Lookastic
lookastic.com › women › shorts
Tan Shorts Outfits For Women (73 ideas & outfits) | Lookastic
Extremely chic and comfortable, this combo of a white silk short sleeve button down shirt and tan shorts provides with variety.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › khaki-shorts-outfit-for-women
Khaki Shorts Outfit for Women
November 30, 2025 - New starts, new goals, new energy. Join the journey and make this year your best chapter yet · Good quality at good prices🌟 All creator-tested, shopper-approved, you’ll actually love · Celebrate Super Brand Day on TikTok Shop! Discover the biggest brands and their best deals of the ...
Find elsewhere
🌐
Glamour
glamour.com › style › cute outfit ideas › a cute way to dress up your shorts
A Cute Way to Dress Up Your Shorts | Glamour
April 7, 2011 - Pairing shorts—any shorts—with a pair of comfortable, low heels instead of just sandals can be refreshing. Style Tip: Khaki shorts can go with pretty much anything, a blouse with bold colors like fuchsia, cobalt blue or orange can really ...
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › styling-khaki-shorts-female
Styling Khaki Shorts Female
November 30, 2025 - Discover chic khaki shorts outfit ideas and styling tips for women. Elevate your summer wardrobe with these fabulous looks!See more videos about Khaki Shorts, Khaki Short Outfit Women, Khaki Shorts Outfit, Khaki Shorts for Women Work, Styling Khaki Skirts, Khaki Shorts Men.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/femalefashionadvice › i need some khaki inspo, ladies.
r/femalefashionadvice on Reddit: I need some khaki inspo, ladies.
July 31, 2013 -

My style is incredibly laid back. I love skinnies and scarves and sweaters and no-fuss dresses. Rarely ever do I wear jeans (I have a lot of body issues...). My boyfriend recently made a comment that he likes how khaki pants look on women and that I should buy a pair.

Well. Hm. The only time I have ever worn khakis or tan dress pants is when I worked an office job. I'm a nurse now. I wear scrubs daily. I feel like they are not casual enough for my day to day life. I need some inspo from you all. Boot cut khakis that I can work into my daily style or tan skinnies that can be preppy enough to appease my man.

Side note: I don't an army of women telling me to "dress for myself". I do. We've been together for a year and a half and this is the first mention of women's style that he made, so I want to try it out! :-)

Thanks, ladies (and gents?)!

🌐
Quora
quora.com › What-color-shirt-goes-well-with-khaki-shorts
What color shirt goes well with khaki shorts? - Quora
Answer (1 of 28): Almost any color shirt can go with khaki shorts. Also depends on the shoes you wear as well since they are typically the staple for the outfit and draws the most attention.
🌐
Getty Images
gettyimages.com › getty images › stock photos › khaki-shorts-outfit
6,170 Khaki Shorts Outfit Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images
Browse 6,170 khaki-shorts-outfit photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. Diane Batoukina wears a sleeveless olive green suede vest with silver buttons and a flared peplum-style silhouette, paired with matching olive green...
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/bitcheswithtaste › dry-fit khaki colored shorts?
r/bitcheswithtaste on Reddit: Dry-fit khaki colored shorts?
July 2, 2024 -

Hey BWT, I have to wear khaki pants with my uniform at work and spend a lot of time in a vehicle with no AC. This makes me suuuper sweaty in the summer months.

Do any of you have recommendations for dry-fit material khaki colored shorts that won’t break the bank and aren’t too short for a work environment? I feel like I’ve tried every Amazon option and they all look like shit. I have one pair from lululemon that I like but was hoping maybe you all would have recs that aren’t as pricey?

🌐
InStyle
instyle.com › fashion › what-wear-with-khakis-beige-pants-outfits
18 Khaki Pants Outfit Ideas to Upgrade Your Wardrobe
October 10, 2023 - Not all khakis are alike. Some are cropped, have pockets, or feature wider legs, so it's worth finding a cut that suits your specific style. ... If your pants are a higher rise — like the great pair Gap and Dôen dropped during their collab — a crop top will balance out proportions and keep your silhouette from feeling bulky. Pair with heels for an elegant finish. ... It's a tried-and-true ensemble. Both long- and short-sleeved options will help make these pants feel polished, especially if they're naturally casual cargos.
🌐
GINGTTO
gingtto.com › blogs › news › what-to-wear-with-khaki-shorts
What to Wear with Khaki Shorts? – GINGTTO
June 13, 2025 - Pairing khaki shorts with a crew neck sweatshirt or hoodie creates a cozy, casual style perfect for late-night bonfires or running errands. Stick to neutral or muted tones to keep things cohesive.
🌐
Walmart
walmart.com › clothing
Khaki Shorts Outfit Womens
JWDOutfit Sets for Women 2 Piece Sets Casual Short Sleeve Pullover Tops and Elastic Waist Knitted Shorts Khaki M
🌐
PrettyLittleThing
prettylittlething.us › home › womens clothing › shorts › khaki shorts
Women's Khaki Shorts | Khaki Green Shorts | PrettyLittleThing USA
Discover women's khaki shorts that move with you, from considered everyday ensembles to more artful expressions, ensuring you’re always on point. Our selection includes the indispensable women's khaki cargo shorts, reimagined with a modern sensibility that balances utility and refined design.
🌐
Style Girlfriend
stylegirlfriend.com › 5 days 5 ways › chino shorts outfits for guys: 5 days of summer style
5 Stylish Chino Shorts Outifts for Guys - Style Girlfriend
May 26, 2025 - Here we’ll focus on khaki-colored chino shorts, just to keep things simple. ... SG Says: Elevate your shorts with an artfully-draped sweater. It means that whatever else you wear, like sneakers and a tall sock, look that much more elegant.