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Browse all Frame shorts →The Darling Short
The verdict
Fit
The Darling cut is Frame's fitted option—higher rise than the Long Hang, snug through hip and thigh, shorter inseam. Fit is consistent across color variants; size to waist and thigh.
Quality
Frame executes the Darling at the same quality standard as all shorts in this tier—clean seams, durable denim, solid hardware. The fit means seams are under more stress.
Is the price fair?
At 248 USD, this is mid-premium for a fitted denim short. The price is justified only if you actively prefer sculpted shorts; the long-hanging silhouettes are a better value.
Best for
Shoppers with hourglass or pear-shaped frames who prefer shorts that skim the thigh rather than hang loose.
Care
Wash cold, inside-out; hang-dry to preserve the fitted shape and prevent shrinkage at seams.
What owners report about Frame shorts
Reviewers split on Frame's denim shorts. Editors who tested several styles praise the denim itself as soft but substantial and the cuts as comfortable and non-restricting. An independent reviewer of the stretch-denim cutoff style had a worse experience: the shorts bagged out badly through a single day of wear, shed loose threads, and had folded hems that would not stay in place after washing. Sizing is reported as inconsistent from style to style, with several reviewers finding them large.
- Strengths
- Reviewers consistently praise the feel of the denim — soft but sturdy — and cuts that read relaxed without being sloppy.
- Watch out for
- The stretch-denim styles stretch out dramatically during wear, and reviewers report loose threads and cutoff hems that unroll after washing.
- Sizing
- Multiple reviewers found the shorts run large and inconsistent by style — one said going down two sizes gave the right fit, and another found the size guide inaccurate for her measurements.
About Frame's shorts line as a whole. Sources: Frame Le Cut Off denim shorts review — Newinspired · Frame Denim Shorts Review — Refinery29