Truth be told, I’m not a big summer person. There aren’t all that many things I love about it except that it’s when my birthday is and that I get to wear shorts. But since I live in the South (North Carolina, to be exact), I’m forced to contend with summer-like weather for a good five months out of the year. If I didn’t like shorts, I’d be in trouble.

It goes without saying that shorts can be a bit polarizing. Even if you’re in the camp that hates them, sometimes they’re just necessary, no matter where you live. Since I’m someone that does appreciate a good pair of shorts, and it’s my job to find the best of everything fashion-related, I put together a list of some of my current favorite shorts in the categories that matter most: denim, sporty, dressy, and casual non-denim. Scroll on to shop my favorites before summer begins—I know I will be.