16 Paper Bag Shorts Outfits That Look Chic
1. Paper Bag Shorts With a Tucked Silk Blouse
Paper bag shorts paired with a tucked silk blouse create one of the most elegantly polished interpretations of this comfortable yet chic silhouette, with the blouse’s luxurious fabric quality and the shorts’ characteristic gathered waist combining to produce an outfit that reads as genuinely dressed-up despite the shorts format.
Choose a silk or satin blouse in a warm, flattering color that coordinates with the shorts’ neutral tone, tucking it fully rather than half-tucking for the most polished result that allows the paper bag waist detail to remain clearly visible as the outfit’s primary design feature.
2. Linen Paper Bag Shorts With a Simple Tank
Linen paper bag shorts paired with a simple fitted tank create one of the most effortlessly casual and genuinely breathable summer outfit combinations available, with the natural fiber quality of linen providing genuine comfort in warm weather while the characteristic gathered waist of the paper bag silhouette adds shape and definition that plain linen shorts lack.
Choose a tank in a complementary neutral tone that coordinates naturally with the linen shorts color, tucking it loosely at the front for a relaxed, unstudied quality that suits the casual register of this outfit combination. Simple leather sandals and minimal gold jewelry complete this effortlessly chic warm-weather look.
3. Paper Bag Shorts With a Fitted Blazer
Paper bag shorts paired with a tailored blazer create a smart-casual outfit of genuine contemporary chic, combining the relaxed comfort of shorts with the structural authority of a blazer in a proportion contrast that reads as deliberately styled and fashion-forward rather than simply casual or accidentally assembled from mismatched wardrobe pieces.
Choose a blazer in a complementary neutral or a contrasting color that creates deliberate visual interest against the shorts, wearing it open over a simple camisole for the most polished result. This combination suits occasions requiring slightly more polish than purely casual dressing while remaining genuinely comfortable and wearable throughout the day.
4. High-Waisted Paper Bag Shorts With a Crop Top
High-waisted paper bag shorts paired with a fitted crop top create a flattering, figure-defining outfit that highlights the characteristic gathered waist detail of the paper bag silhouette while the crop top’s proportional fit creates a balanced relationship between the fitted top half and the relaxed, gathered waist of the shorts below.
Choose a crop top that hits precisely at the natural waist to complement the paper bag shorts’ high rise, ensuring the top’s length creates the most flattering proportion rather than cutting across an unflattering point on the torso. This combination works particularly well in coordinating colors for a complete, cohesive outfit effect.
5. Paper Bag Shorts With a Striped Breton Top
Paper bag shorts paired with a classic Breton stripe top create a fresh, nautically inspired outfit of timeless casual chic, combining the relaxed elegance of the horizontal stripe with the feminine gathered waist detail of the paper bag silhouette in a pairing that feels genuinely effortless rather than deliberately styled.
Choose a Breton top in navy and white for the most classic result, pairing with shorts in white, cream, or neutral linen for a cohesive color palette that references the clean, coastal quality of nautical dressing. White leather sneakers or simple flat sandals complete this classic European summer outfit.
6. Wide Leg Paper Bag Shorts With a Fitted Turtleneck
Wide-leg paper bag shorts paired with a fitted turtleneck create a sophisticated transitional season outfit that combines the relaxed, flowing silhouette of wide-leg shorts with the structured elegance of a turtleneck in a proportion that reads as genuinely fashion-forward and seasonally considered rather than simply casual warm-weather dressing.
Choose a fine-knit fitted turtleneck in a complementary neutral tone, tucking it fully into the paper bag waist for the most polished result that showcases the characteristic gathered waist detail. This combination suits the cooler days of transitional seasons when shorts remain appropriate but require a warmer top layer.
7. Paper Bag Shorts With an Off-Shoulder Top
Paper bag shorts paired with an off-shoulder top create a romantically feminine summer outfit that combines the relaxed comfort of the paper bag silhouette with the bare-shoulder quality of an off-shoulder top for an outfit of genuine warmth and casual elegance suited to summer occasions from beach restaurants to casual evening socializing.
Choose an off-shoulder top with a secure construction that stays in position throughout the day without requiring constant readjustment, pairing with shorts in a complementary tone that creates either a tonal coordination or a deliberate color contrast depending on the specific effect you want to achieve with this feminine summer combination.
8. Printed Paper Bag Shorts With a Solid Top
Printed paper bag shorts paired with a solid top in a color drawn directly from the print create a balanced, well-considered outfit that allows the shorts’ pattern to be the clear visual statement while the solid top provides the visual relief and color coordination that prevents the overall outfit from appearing overwhelmed by pattern.
Choose a solid top in the most prominent or most beautiful color within the printed shorts’ pattern rather than a safe neutral that might appear uninspired, ensuring the color extraction creates a genuine visual connection between the two pieces that reads as deliberately coordinated rather than accidentally matching.
9. Paper Bag Shorts With a Linen Shirt Tied at the Waist
A linen shirt tied casually at the waist over paper bag shorts creates a relaxed, layered summer outfit of effortless casual chic, with the shirt’s casual tie creating a second gathering detail that echoes and complements the characteristic gathered waist of the paper bag silhouette in a visual conversation between the two pieces.
Choose a linen shirt in a color that coordinates with or contrasts deliberately against the shorts, wearing it tied loosely rather than tightly for the most natural, unstudied quality. This combination provides the practical flexibility of a removable outer layer for variable temperature conditions throughout a summer day.
10. Paper Bag Shorts With a Bodysuit
Paper bag shorts paired with a fitted bodysuit create the most seamlessly polished and cleanly styled interpretation of the paper bag shorts outfit, with the bodysuit’s stay-tucked construction preventing any shirt untucking throughout the day while the fitted silhouette creates the most flattering relationship between the top half and the gathered waist of the shorts.
Choose a bodysuit in a neutral or complementary tone with a neckline that suits the occasion, whether a scoop neck for casual wear or a more structured square neck for a slightly elevated result. The bodysuit and paper bag shorts combination consistently photographs as one of the most clean and intentionally styled outfit combinations.
11. Paper Bag Denim Shorts With a White Tee
Paper bag denim shorts paired with a simple white tee create a casual, classic outfit that updates the timeless denim shorts and white tee combination with the additional design detail of the paper bag gathered waist, adding a feminine, fashion-aware element to what might otherwise appear as a purely basic casual outfit choice.
Choose denim shorts in a light or mid wash for the most seasonally appropriate summer result, ensuring the paper bag waist detail is clearly visible rather than obscured by an overly long or baggy tee worn above it. A simple half-tuck of the white tee at the front allows the gathered waist detail to remain the outfit’s clear focal point.
12. Paper Bag Shorts in Satin With Heels
Satin paper bag shorts paired with heeled sandals create an unexpectedly sophisticated evening outfit that elevates the casual paper bag silhouette into genuinely occasion-appropriate territory through the combination of a luxurious fabric quality and the formal elevation of a heel, proving that shorts can read as genuinely dressy when the right materials are chosen.
Choose satin shorts in a rich jewel tone or warm neutral, pairing with simple strappy heeled sandals that allow the fabric’s natural sheen to remain the outfit’s primary luxury statement. A simple silk or satin camisole tucked in completes this elevated evening interpretation of the paper bag shorts format beautifully.
13. Paper Bag Shorts With Ankle Boots
Paper bag shorts paired with ankle boots create a seasonally transitional outfit of genuine contemporary chic, with the boots’ coverage providing practical warmth for cooler days while the contrast between the feminine paper bag shorts silhouette and the structured boot creates a deliberately fashion-forward styling tension of considerable visual interest.
Choose ankle boots in black or warm brown leather that creates a clean visual statement against bare legs, ensuring the boot shaft height suits the shorts length for the most proportionally considered silhouette. Adding a denim jacket or light cardigan completes the transitional season outfit with appropriate layering for variable temperature conditions.
14. Tailored Paper Bag Shorts With a Button-Down
Tailored paper bag shorts in a quality fabric paired with an open button-down shirt create a smart-casual outfit of considerable polish and wearability, combining the structure of tailored shorts with the relaxed layering of an open shirt in a combination that suits smart-casual occasions from outdoor work events to elevated weekend socializing.
Choose shorts in a quality suiting fabric like crepe, linen, or a light wool blend that maintains a tailored appearance throughout the day, pairing with a button-down in a complementary color worn open over a simple fitted tank. This combination elevates the paper bag silhouette beyond its casual origins into genuinely sophisticated territory.
15. Matching Paper Bag Shorts Co-Ord Set
A matching paper bag shorts co-ord set offers the ultimate styling simplicity of a completely coordinated outfit from a single purchase, eliminating all coordination decisions while creating the kind of polished, deliberately assembled appearance that separate pieces require considerably more effort and styling skill to achieve with the same visual resolution.
Choose a set in a quality fabric that suits both the top and shorts format simultaneously, ensuring the matching piece works as a complete outfit rather than requiring additional layering to appear finished. Co-ord sets in linen, crepe, or cotton blend consistently photograph as the most polished and effortlessly chic paper bag shorts interpretation available.
16. Paper Bag Shorts With an Oversized Knit
Paper bag shorts paired with an oversized knit sweater create one of the most cozy-chic transitional season outfit combinations available, with the contrast between the knit’s generous, enveloping volume and the shorts’ characteristic gathered waist creating an interesting proportion dynamic that feels genuinely fashion-forward rather than simply seasonal.
Choose an oversized knit with enough length to be tucked partially into the paper bag waist for a deliberate, considered quality rather than leaving the knit untucked where it risks hiding the gathered waist detail that gives paper bag shorts their distinctive, stylish character. This tuck-in technique is the styling detail that makes this combination work consistently well.