If you’re still rotating the same few pairs of shorts through your summer wardrobe, it’s time to add a new neutral into the mix. Today I’m sharing 3 ways to wear these blue striped linen shorts from Nordstrom — and the best part is, they’re currently on sale.
Why These Shorts Work
These are a longer length than your average short, and while they’re labeled as a bermuda style, they don’t actually run quite that long, which makes them so easy to wear. They’re a linen blend, so they’re cool, breathable, and comfortable for easy summer dressing.
Because of the classic blue stripe, you can treat them like a neutral and pair them with almost anything in your closet — which is exactly what we’re going to do below.
Bonus: most of the pieces I’ve styled them with are on sale too, so don’t miss these Nordstrom markdowns while they last.
Other options that work with these looks:
Look 1: Easy & Casual
Start simple with Caslon’s linen blend button-up in white on top. White and blue stripe is about as classic a combination as it gets, and because both pieces are linen, the textures play well together without competing — everything feels intentional rather than thrown together. The relaxed button-up also balances out the more structured stripe pattern on the shorts, keeping the whole look soft and lived-in.
Finish with raffia sandals, which add a natural, woven texture that echoes the linen up top — this is the kind of small detail that makes an outfit feel cohesive instead of like separates. A beaded necklace and simple drop earrings finish things off with just enough sparkle to elevate a casual outfit without overdoing it.
This is your go-to formula for errands, lunch with friends, or a casual day exploring a new town while traveling.
Look 2: Dressed Up
Want to take these shorts from daytime casual to dinner-ready? Swap in a ruched top in navy. The ruching adds shape and a little polish, and pairing navy with the blue stripe keeps the palette tonal and intentional rather than matchy. It’s a simple swap, but it instantly elevates the whole outfit.
Other tops that work:
Thong sandals keep the look summer-appropriate while still feeling a touch more refined than a flat slide. From there, go bolder with the jewelry — a chunkier beaded necklace and statement earrings add the kind of presence that makes an outfit feel “done” for evening, without requiring you to change out of shorts altogether.
This look proves you don’t need a dress to feel put-together for a night out — sometimes a few smart swaps are all it takes.
Look 3: Simple & Easy
This is the no-fuss, grab-and-go option for those mornings when you want to look put together without thinking too hard about it. A fun graphic tee brings in a little personality and keeps things feeling young and current, while sneakers ground the outfit and make it fully walkable — ideal for a day of sightseeing, school pickup, or running around town.
The beauty of this combination is its simplicity: graphic tee plus shorts plus sneakers is a formula you can repeat all summer long with different tees and never get bored of it.
Graphic tee options:
The Bag That Ties It All Together
No matter which look you choose, a sage mini tote complements all three beautifully. Sage is a soft, muted neutral that doesn’t compete with the blue stripe, and the mini size keeps each outfit feeling streamlined rather than overloaded — it’s a small detail, but it’s what pulls all three looks together as a cohesive capsule.
