Of all the garments on a man’s sartorial shopping list, shorts are probably given the least consideration. On the whole, we tend to favour buying cold-weather clothing over summer staples. A jacket is always going to be a more pleasurable purchase than a set of flip-flops, and indulgent cashmere knitwear trumps a new T-shirt every time.
The secret: good summer dressing starts from the knees up. Which means choosing a knock-out pair of shorts is the most important style decision you’ll make between June and September. Here we break down everything you need to know – from how they should fit to the key styles to shop.
Buying Considerations
It’s always a good idea to put some careful thought and consideration into any new clothing purchase. Shorts are no different.
In order to ensure you end up with a pair of shorts that look good, feel good and last well, there are a few key areas to consider. Use the following points as a checklist before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Fit
As is the case with any item in your wardrobe, fit is the most important factor. A lot of this will depend on what type of shorts you’re buying (more on that later) but for a rough frame of reference, opt for a loose cut for active pursuits and slim or regular cut for general wear. Avoiding anything marked ‘skinny fit’ is always good practise.
Length
Short length has long been a hotly debated topic in menswear for as long as there have been shorts. Trends over the years have seen the preferred length veer between extremes, but to make sure your shorts are on the right side of history it’s best to aim somewhere in the middle. Anything from just above the knee to about a third of the way up the thigh is generally safe territory.
Material
Choice of material will be based largely on the intended use of a pair of shorts. Lightweight, stretchy fabrics are better for active use, while cotton- and wool-based fabrics tend to be better suited to general day-to-day dealings. Consider temperature too. You might like the look of those denim shorts but are they really going to be practical during the height of summer? Probably not.
Quality
Last but by no means least, opting for a a high-quality garment is the best way to ensure comfort and longevity. This may mean paying a premium but if you buy cheap, you’ll often end up buying multiple times, making it more expensive in the long run. The best way to ensure quality is to research brands. Check out where their shorts are made, what they’re made from and if they offer a warranty on their products.
Key Short Styles To Consider
Below you will find the key short styles any gentleman should have in their warm-weather rotation. From activewear to smarter options, these are the types to consider.
Chino
Chino shorts are very much the bread and butter of the summer legwear world. They’re simple, eternally stylish and offer all the versatility of a Swiss Army knife. If you’re going to have just one pair of shorts, make it a pair of these in navy or beige with a slim cut. You’ll be amazed at how much use you get out of them.
When To Wear
Put simply: every day. These are your day-to-day shorts – they’ve got your back for everything from strolls across the beachfront to hitting the town for a spot of al fresco dining. The beauty of them is that they can be dressed up or down with ease. This allows you to cover the entire spectrum of social occasions with just a single pair of shorts.
How To Wear
As touched on above, chino shorts are the ultimate smart-casual style. This means the pieces you surround them with will determine how formal your look is.
To keep things smart yet summery, try teaming a navy pair with a white Oxford button-down shirt, some tortoiseshell sunglasses and a pair of boat shoes or loafers. A fail-safe look for evening meals or afternoons at the bar with friends and a bottle of wine. Roll the sleeves to instantly make things a little more laid back.
Tailored
One of the most common misconceptions about shorts is that they’re impossible to dress smartly in. Thanks to the rise in popularity of tailored styles, this is no longer the case. So instead of sweating your way through summer in dress pants or chinos, pick up a pair of these and fill a gap in your wardrobe you didn’t know existed.
When To Wear
With their refined looks and sharp appearance, tailored shorts provide a way to dress up even when the sun is blazing. Summer dates, evening meals on holiday, garden parties – all of these scenarios call for something a little more refined than your usual warm-weather options, while still allowing your legs to breathe.
How To Wear
Tailored shorts may appear to cater to a very specific niche, but they are actually surprisingly versatile. The relaxing of dress codes mean that teaming a pair with trainers and a T-shirt is perfectly acceptable
Athletic
Nobody at the gym wants to see you using a Thighmaster in your boxer shorts, no matter how well toned your quads are. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in some above-the-knee legwear for your workouts too. These sorts of shorts will usually be stretchy, comfortable and designed to offer maximum freedom of movement. This makes them perfect for exercise, but also for general weekend duties if you pick a stylish pair.
When To Wear
Athletic shorts are informal by nature. If the setting is anything but completely relaxed, you should probably opt for something else. Obviously, the gym or sports field is athletic shorts’ natural habitat, but they can also work well casually as part of an athleisure-inspired outfit. Ironically, they’re also great for lounging around in on lazy days at home.
How To Wear
The obvious answer is with your workout gear. Stick a pair on with a technical T-shirt or hoodie and top it off with sneakers or running shoes. Simple enough, but where things get slightly more complex is when you begin to venture out of the gym.
Swimming
There once was a time when beachwear consisted of nothing more refined than a liberal coating of sunscreen and a pair of Speedos. Thankfully, those days are behind us. What we’re left with is a plentiful assortment stylish swimwear, much of which wouldn’t look out of place in city bars, let alone beach huts.
When To Wear It
The beauty of contemporary resortwear is that it’s no longer confined to just beach or pool. Brands like Orlebar Brown are making swim shorts that masterfully tread the line between beach- and bar-friendly, meaning your holiday haulage just got lighter.
How To Wear It
How you style your swimming shorts will depend largely on what category they fall into. There are colourful, loose-fitting options, like those offered by the likes of Onia and Frescobol Carioca. Or there are more fitted, tailored styles, as purveyed by the aforementioned Orlebar Brown.
