Good morning! I have a new try-on haul today, with a bunch of denim shorts as well as a smattering of other pieces from LOFT, Ann Taylor, and Evereve.

I took most of these pictures before my trip to Florida, right after I got my spray tan, so I’m looking a bit like an Oompa Loompa. It evened out and looked pretty good, but the first day is always a little dicey.

SIZING NOTES: I’m 5’5″ and I usually take a 6/28 in pants/jeans, a small in tops, and size 8 shoe. 

Denim Shorts Try-On

I ordered a bunch of denim shorts recently, and I already have a few favorites. I’m kind of in between sizes right now, and I don’t like my shorts too tight, so I ordered both the 28 and 29 in all of these.

I have rather wide hips compared to my thin legs, so shorts can be a challenge for me. When they fit in the waist and hips, they’re often too wide in the legs, so I pay attention to the leg opening measurement as well as the inseam and rise measurements. I’ve provided all measurements above my commentary, so you can compare if you like.

Joe’s Jeans The Ozzie Distressed Cutoff Denim Shorts in Clematis ($98)

shorts (28) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 4″ regular inseam; 22″ leg opening; 9 1/2″ front rise; 14 3/4″ back rise (size 29)
• 99% cotton, 1% spandex

As I said yesterday, I’m so happy to see shorts with a 4″ inseam coming back. I’ve always liked shorter shorts, and I was comfortable in the 3″ or 3 1/2″ inseam in the past, but now that I’m approaching 50 and not running as much as I used to, I really appreciate that extra inch.

These fit in my usual 28, but they aren’t as comfortable as I’d like, so I would definitely need to size up. I don’t love the wash though, so I did send these back.

VERDICT: I returned these because I found some others I liked better. The size 29 came in later, but I didn’t even try them because I don’t really care for the wash. It kind of looks like acid wash.

Joe’s Jeans The Ozzie 4″ Cutoff Short in Alma ($98)

shorts (28) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 4 1/2″ inseam; 22″ leg opening; 9″ front rise; 14″ back rise (size 29)
• 98% cotton, 2% spandex

These are also by Joe’s, but I like this fabric better. It has 2% spandex rather than 1% like the pair above, there’s a little more stretch. I also like this wash a lot. The 9″ front rise is comfortable to me, and they seem to fit well all around.

I tried these in the 28 and 29 and liked them both. They didn’t feel a whole lot different, but I think you can see that the leg opening is slightly wider in the 29. This is the 28.

And this is the 29. I’m going to wear the 29 around and see if they stretch out or not. If not, I will probably keep those just to have a little extra wiggle room.

VERDICT: Keeping one of these, probably the 29.

Joe’s Jeans Frayed Denim Shorts in Shira ($98)

shorts (28) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 5″ inseam; 24″ leg opening; 10″ front rise; 15″ back rise (size 29)
• 99% cotton, 1% spandex

I also like this pair a lot, and the 5″ inseam is a nice option to have. The rise is a little higher as well, but not too much. In this case, I don’t feel the need to size up. The 28 fit perfectly.

The frayed cuff is a nice touch, although a little dated maybe. This was really popular a few years ago. I’ve always found a cuff helps shorts not look too wide on my thighs, so I’m a fan.

VERDICT: Keeping. I actually had this pair one or two years ago, and I don’t know why I didn’t keep them.

AGOLDE Parker Vintage Denim Shorts in Swapmeet ($138)

at Nordstrom // 10% off at Evereve (28) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 3″ inseam; 24″ leg opening; 11 1/2″ front rise; 15″ back rise (size 29)
• 100% cotton

I have these from last year. They’re kind of The Shorts to have, and I ordered them because I kept seeing them everywhere, and everyone seemed to love them. I was surprised by how much I liked them, and how comfortable they were for 100% cotton denim, but they are so short.

Again, my legs aren’t what they used to be, so I’m not sure I’ll wear them much this year but they’re perfect for the beach, and we are taking a beach trip this summer.

VERDICT: I already own these but I probably wouldn’t buy them again.

AGOLDE Parker Long Shorts in Swapmeet ($138)

at Nordstrom // 10% off at Evereve (29) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 4″ inseam; 22″ leg opening; 10 1/2″ front rise; 14 1/2″ back rise (size 23)
• 100% cotton

So these shorts are the answer to those who want a longer option to the pair above. However, I don’t like these as well as the other 4″ inseam shorts in this post. Even though on paper, the leg opening is similar, I feel like they look too wide and baggy.

I’m also wearing the size 29 because the size 28 did not arrive. These do run true to size, as indicated on the website, and the 29 is too big for me.

VERDICT: Returning; not a fan of these.

KUT from the Kloth Gidget Fray Shorts in Stimulating $69

on sale at Zappos // at Nordstrom (6) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 4″ inseam; 22″ leg opening; 9″ front rise; 14″ back rise (size 8)
• 99% cotton, 1% spandex

This Gidget style has been around for years, and they’re a really good option for a mid-price range. The 4″ inseam is very wearable, and they’re extremely comfortable.

I ordered the 4 and the 6 because I recall that they run big, but they really don’t. The 6 is comfortable, but I wouldn’t mind sizing up to the 8 for a little more wiggle room.

VERDICT: Keeping for now, but ordering the 8 to compare.

DL1961 Karlie Boyfriend Shorts in Bluegrass ($127.95)

at Zappos // at Nordstrom (29) // tee (S) // sandals (8) // earrings

• 3 1/2″ inseam; 24″ leg opening; 9″ front rise; 13″ back rise (size 29)
• 98% cotton, 2% spandex

There’s something about these I just don’t love. The side is tacked up, and that looks weird to me. They’re pretty comfortable, though.

VERDICT: Returning. Just don’t love them, and there are others here I like better.

Other Spring Try-Ons

The rest of these are just random things I’ve ordered lately. LOFT is having a mystery sale this weekend. My discount is 40% and I have no idea if they vary or not, but the code is SURPRISE. Evereve is having a spring sale, with 10% off sitewide. There are a few brand exclusions, but most of the store is on sale. I have a lot of favorites, so I rounded them all up in a convenient shopping widget. You can see a lot of these “in action” in my last Try-On Haul.

LOFT Striped Zip Tunic Sweater

sweater (S) // jeans (28) // sneakers (39)

This sweater is really soft and comfortable, and I love the red and pink tones in the stripes, and how the stripes on the sleeves are different than the ones on the body.

My only complaint is, it’s kind of long, and it doesn’t look good with a front tuck. If you don’t mind the length, it’s really nice quality, and also 40% off right now.

VERDICT: Returning, I don’t care for the length.

LOFT Zoo Dot Smocked Ruffle Tie Neck Blouse

blouse (S) // jeans at Nordstrom // jeans on sale at Evereve (6) // sandals (8)

I thought this blouse could be cute for church this spring, but I’m not crazy about the length on this either. I tried to style it how I might actually wear it, with white jeans and black sandals, but it doesn’t look great front-tucked, and when it’s untucked, it cuts me in half visually. Maybe if I had a longer pair of white flares, it would work, but I don’t want to buy a new pair of jeans just for this top.

VERDICT: Returning. I need something like this, but I’m going to keep looking. It’s also 40% off with SURPRISE. FYI, these jeans are on sale at Evereve. You can see more on them in this Try-On Haul.

LOFT Ruffle Mixed Media Shell

top (S) // jeans (28) // shoes (8) // earrings

I love this navy shell; this is the type of top LOFT does so well, and I’m happy to see they still have a few. I hope they do some more as we get further into spring and summer.

VERDICT: Keeping, love this. It will also layer nicely under a denim jacket.

Edwin Bree Straight

 jeans (28) // top (S) // shoes (8) // earrings

• 10″ front rise; 27″ inseam; 13″ leg opening
• 89% Cotton, 6% Polyester, 5% Lycra

These jeans are on sale this weekend, and I really like the cut. They fit well all the way around, and that 27″ inseam with the 13″ leg opening is my sweet spot for straight ankle jeans. The 10″ rise is comfortable too.

I love that off-white denim is trending this year, but this pair is more yellowy than I prefer. I still think I’m going to keep them because I love the fit so much.

FYI, these shoes are also part of the spring sale at Evereve. They run narrow, so I recommend sizing up half, and the jeans are true to size or maybe size down if in between. The 28 is very comfortable on me, and I’m definitely flirting with size 29 these days.

VERDICT: Keeping, in spite of the yellowy color. I think I’ll find plenty of ways to wear them. They look really good with navy.

Ann Taylor Twill Trench Coat

trench (S) // jeans (28) // sneakers (39) // earrings

I ordered two trench coats, but I forgot to take a picture of the LOFT one. I will do that this week. This one is from Ann Taylor, and it’s nice, but I always struggle with a double-breasted style. This one does pull a bit across my chest. That said, I love the color, and it also comes in a nice beige.

VERDICT: Returning, but I do recommend trying if you like it. I think I’m keeping the LOFT one I linked to. I may have finally found the perfect beige trench!