Fashion Accessoriess

You find the perfect summer outfit, then the shorts ruin it: the waistband digs in when you sit, the leg opening rides up, or the fabric stretches out before lunch. The best affordable denim shorts solve three problems at once: they stay comfortable, hold their shape, and work with more than one outfit.

Start With the Inseam, Not the Brand

Pick a length for the way you move

Before comparing Old Navy with H&M, measure the shorts you already wear comfortably. Lay them flat, measure from the crotch seam to the hem, and write down the number. A 3-inch inseam gives a shorter, more exposed leg line. A 4-inch inseam offers a useful middle ground for errands, travel, and casual dinners. A 6- or 7-inch inseam gives more coverage and usually feels safer when you bend, climb stairs, or sit on the ground.

Inseam changes the look more than a wash does. A short inseam can make a high rise feel more dramatic. A longer inseam can balance a cropped top or an oversized button-down. If you dislike shorts that creep upward, start with at least 5 inches and look for a leg opening that is wider than your thigh.

Match the rise to your tops

High-rise denim shorts sit around the belly button or higher and work well with tucked tees, bodysuits, and cropped shirts. Mid-rise shorts leave more room between the waistband and bust, which suits longer tanks and loose shirts. Low-rise styles can look current, but they need a secure waistband and a top that does not shift every time you sit.

The practical winner for most summer wardrobes is a high-rise pair with a 4- to 6-inch inseam. That shape gives enough coverage for daily wear without looking like a long short. It also makes the comparison fair: you can judge the fabric, waistband, and cut instead of reacting to two completely different silhouettes.

Old Navy vs. H&M: The Numbers Before the Fitting Room

Price and construction snapshot

On price alone, H&M has the cleaner entry point. Its Raw-Edge Denim Shorts list at $24.99, while its standard Denim Shorts list at $29.99. Old Navy can be cheaper during promotions, but the regular price of the High-Waisted OG Jean Shorts is $39.99. The sale price makes Old Navy competitive; the non-sale price makes H&M the easier budget buy.

What the numbers do not show

A lower sticker price does not tell you how often you will wear the shorts. A pair that needs constant pulling, belt adjustment, or special washing can become the expensive choice in practice. Look at the rise, inseam, stretch, pocket placement, and return policy before judging value.

My first verdict is clear: choose H&M for the lowest upfront price and more visible trend variety. Choose Old Navy when you want a defined high-waist fit, a wider numerical size range on the OG style, or a sale price that drops below $20.

How Denim Shorts Should Fit When You Sit, Walk, and Wash

The waistband test

Put the shorts on without sucking in your stomach. Slide two fingers under the front waistband and sit in a chair for one full minute. The waistband should stay flat without cutting into your lower stomach. If you cannot slide one finger under it, the shorts are too tight for all-day wear. If you can pull the waistband more than two inches away from your body, the waist may gap after the denim relaxes.

High-rise shorts should sit securely without needing a belt. A belt can finish an outfit, but it should not rescue a loose waist. If your waist is smaller than your hips, try a contoured waistband or a pair with a little stretch. Old Navy’s High-Waisted OG Jean Shorts are designed to sit at the belly button and fit snugly through the hip and thigh, so they suit shoppers who want a closer shape rather than a loose cut.

The thigh and pocket test

Walk ten steps, sit down, and take a long step forward. The hem should not cut into the thigh or roll toward the crotch. Check the front pockets while standing and sitting. If the pocket lining pulls open, the shorts are too tight across the hips, even if the waistband feels comfortable. If the back pockets sit far below the fullest part of the seat, the shorts may make the legs look longer but can feel visually unbalanced.

Try a second size before deciding that the brand is wrong. Denim can fit differently across washes because dye, finishing, and stretch content change the hand of the fabric. A dark wash may feel firmer than a faded pair in the same labeled size. H&M’s raw-edge styles often create a relaxed, casual effect, but the unfinished hem can feel less secure if you want a neat, polished appearance.

The movement and wash test

Raise your arms, bend to pick up a bag, and climb two stairs. These simple moves reveal more than a mirror pose. The seat should remain covered, the zipper should stay flat, and the hem should not twist. After purchase, wash denim shorts inside out in cold water and tumble dry on low or air-dry them. High heat can shrink the inseam and make a snug waistband feel tighter.

For a durable all-purpose shape, I prefer a midweight denim with a small amount of stretch. Rigid denim can hold its shape well but may feel rough during a hot day. Very stretchy denim feels comfortable at first and can lose structure faster. The right balance is fabric that bends easily but returns to its original shape after you stand up.

Use This 10-Minute Store Test

Step 1: Check the size chart

1. Measure your natural waist, fullest hip, and preferred inseam.
2. Compare those measurements with the brand’s current chart instead of ordering your usual jeans size automatically.
3. Read the fit description. “Snug through hip and thigh” will feel very different from “relaxed through hip and thigh.”

Step 2: Test the high-stress points

1. Button the shorts while standing normally. Do not judge the fit while lying down or pulling the waistband into place.
2. Sit for one minute and check for waist pressure, zipper waves, and pocket flare.
3. Walk, bend, and climb stairs. Keep the shorts if the waistband stays put without constant adjustment.
4. Look at the hem from the side. A cut-off edge should sit evenly rather than twisting toward the front.

Step 3: Compare the outfit cost

Put the shorts with at least three things you already own: a plain white tee, a relaxed button-down, and a non-cropped top. If the pair works only with one very specific shirt, it is a weak wardrobe purchase. H&M’s Raw-Edge Denim Shorts are the better choice for a fashion-forward outfit with a cropped tank and sandals. A clean Old Navy OG pair is more useful with work-from-home layers, sneakers, and tucked shirts.

This test prevents the most common mistake: buying denim shorts for the mirror instead of for real movement. The pair that looks best in one pose is not always the pair you will wear most.

Old Navy Wins for Stretch, Coverage, and Repeat Wear

My Old Navy pick is the High-Waisted OG Jean Shorts when comfort and repeat wear matter more than the lowest regular price. The 4-inch inseam is short enough for summer but not so short that every seated movement becomes a wardrobe check. The style sits at the belly button, has a zip fly, front scoop pockets, and back patch pockets, and comes in a broad range of numeric sizes on the current product listing.

Best Old Navy choice for everyday outfits

Choose the OG Jean Shorts if you wear fitted tanks, tucked tees, sneakers, or flat sandals. The snug hip and thigh shape creates a cleaner outline than a loose cut, and the stretchier feel makes it easier to walk, drive, and sit. The regular listing is $39.99, but a current sale listing showed $19.99. At the sale price, Old Navy wins the value contest by a wide margin.

When Old Navy is the wrong choice

Do not choose the OG style if you dislike a close fit through the thigh or want a longer, relaxed leg. The waistband can feel too firm if you are between sizes, and a 4-inch inseam may not give enough coverage for bike rides, beach walks, or very active days. For those situations, look for the Extra High-Waisted Sky-Hi Cut-Off Jean Shorts with a 7-inch inseam, or switch to H&M’s Denim Bermuda Shorts.

Old Navy also becomes less appealing when the pair is available only at full price and you want a fashion-led silhouette. Its strength is dependable daily wear, not the most directional hem or wash in the store.

Does H&M Make Better Trend-Led Denim Shorts?

Are H&M shorts cheaper?

Usually, yes. H&M’s current denim-short listings include Raw-Edge Denim Shorts at $24.99, standard Denim Shorts at $29.99, and Denim Bermuda Shorts from roughly $29.99 to $39.99. That gives H&M the strongest regular-price choice for shoppers who want two pairs without spending $80.

Which H&M shape deserves the money?

Choose the H&M Raw-Edge Denim Shorts when the outfit needs a relaxed, unfinished hem and a current summer feel. Choose the standard H&M Denim Shorts for a simpler pair that can work with more tops. Choose the Denim Bermuda Shorts when you want coverage, a longer line, and less thigh exposure.

H&M is the winner for trend variety and regular-price shopping. The tradeoff is that the product names describe a group of styles rather than one consistent fit, so read the garment measurements for the exact wash and color. A “Denim Shorts” listing in one wash may not feel identical to another listing in the same category.

For shoppers who want a more established rigid-denim reference point, the Levi’s 501 Original Shorts list at $59.50 before sale pricing and use a high rise with a 2.5-inch inseam on one current style. They are not the affordable winner, but they show why inseam and fabric matter: the shorter leg and firmer denim create a sharper vintage look than either budget brand.

Choose Your Summer Pair by Scenario

Final verdict

If you want one direct answer, buy the Old Navy High-Waisted OG Jean Shorts on sale for the best balance of comfort, coverage, and repeat wear. Buy H&M if the regular price matters most or you want a raw-edge, Bermuda, or more fashion-led shape.

Old Navy takes the overall win for a practical summer uniform, especially when the OG shorts reach their sale price. H&M takes the budget and trend win at regular prices. The best purchase is the pair whose inseam, rise, and thigh fit match your actual day, not the pair that looks most impressive on a product tile.