The warm weather is here so I thought it’s about time we provided a guide to men’s shorts. As an essential but lesser-worn piece of menswear, shorts should be part of every man’s wardrobe, especially in the summer. However, many men do not know how to wear shorts properly, and do not know what items of clothing will look good with them.
There are many questions that readers email us like:
- When should you wear shorts?
- When shouldn’t you wear shorts?
- How do you wear shorts?
- What style of shorts should you wear?
- What colors and patterns should you wear?
- What fabric should you wear?
- What can you wear with shorts?
Let’s get these questions answered and improve your look this summer!
When to Wear Shorts
Men’s shorts are considered a casual piece of attire. So when should you wear them?
You should introduce shorts to your outfit as soon as the weather warms up. This of course will depend on where you live. Wearing shorts when it’s cold just looks ridiculous. So only wear them when it’s hot and you feel comfortable doing so. Also, as shorts are casual wear, you’d only don a pair when you’re not conducting business or attending a formal event. So, if you’re meeting up with friends or family, going to the beach or attending any other recreational activity, then wearing a pair of shorts is perfectly fine.
When Not to Wear Shorts
Anything that’s formal that requires trousers not shorts. This could be any event that’s in the company of strangers or business associates. If you’re attending an event where you’re expected to wear a blazer of jacket, avoid wearing shorts altogether. This type of situation calls for a level of formality that shorts can’t offer, even if they’re smart.
How to Wear Shorts
Now you know when it’s acceptable to wear shorts, let’s discuss how to wear them.
How long should your shorts be? Wear shorts that sit 2-3 inches above the knee. Anything higher should be limited to gym and other sporting activities. Anything lower ceases to be shorts and more like high-cut pants.
How loose should your shorts be? How the shorts fit depends on your taste and style. A lot of guys seem to pick the baggiest and loosest pair they can find. Remember that shorts add bulk to the upper part of your legs only. Your lower legs will be on show, so everything above will look thicker in comparison. The baggier your shorts are the bigger your butt and thighs will look. Instead opt for a pair that are a close fit around the waist and that fit you well around the rear and thighs.
What styles should you wear? There are a few different styles of shorts to choose from. Baggy, multi-pocketed shorts don’t look very flattering in social settings (cargo shorts, board shorts etc.) and short shorts should be left well alone. Chino shorts offer a stylish look, especially when combined with a polo shirt and a pair of boat shoes (more on this later!). Another alternative are tailored shorts that give a clean sharp line whilst they are worn and are a smarter option compared to the casual nature of the chino cloth.
What colors and patterns should you wear? Men’s shorts now come in a variety of colors. When building your wardrobe, for interchangeable purposes start with neutral colors such as stone, tan, navy etc. Once you have the basic colors you can then experiment by introducing brighter, vibrant colors that are more eye-catching like shades of yellow, pink or royal blue.
Patterned shorts (also called printed shorts) are popular this season. As I mentioned above, get the basics covered first, and then you can add patterned shorts to your summer wardrobe to separate yourself from the rest. Combining patterned shorts with the rest of your outfit can be tricky. If you’re wearing them as a statement, make them your focal point by keeping the rest of your outfit neutral. If the shorts are multi-colored, look to pick out one of the colors within your upper half, keeping in mind the basic rules of the color wheel.
What fabric should you wear? There are a couple of fabric choices men have for shorts. Shorts are worn in warm weather, so the material needs to be lightweight and breathable.
Cotton is a good fabric but it depends on the weave. If woven correctly, cotton is light and airy and easy to wash and dry. However a lot of mass-marketed shorts are made from thick, tight weaves of cotton that traps hot air close to the body.
The different weaves used are:
- Seersucker – the lightest of the cotton weaves, with an uneven surface that lets air flow. Due to the slow weaving process, seersucker is the most expensive however one of the best options for summer.
- Madras – a lightweight cotton fabric with a typically patterned texture and plaid design. It has a very loose weave that allows air flow and dries quickly.
- Gauze – a thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave. It’s often mixed with synthetic fibres.
- Drill / twill – both are tighter weaves compared to the above that hold in more air and moisture. They are cheap and mass produced, so expect to find shorts made from such fabrics in your high street stores.
Linen is another option that’s both lightweight and comfortable. Linen tends to wrinkle more than cotton, however the creases are part of the style so don’t try to iron them out.
Synthetic fibres like nylon or spandex are mainly used for sportier type shorts. The loose weave wick moisture from the skin and let air flow.
What to Wear with Shorts
Shorts are a casual piece of menswear, so the rest of your outfit should reflect this too. Don’t wear a long sleeve dress shirt with shorts. Instead wear a short sleeved collared shirt. This can range from button-fronted to your basic polo shirt. A t-shirt and shorts are okay but if you want to look your best the other options should take priority.
Dress shoes, as well as traditional wingtips or desert shoes can be worn with a tailored pair of shorts. Other shoes to wear with shorts are the boat shoes, loafers, driving moccasins, canvas sneakers, and sandals. Skip the socks if you’re wearing sandals, boat shoes and loafers, but remember that closed toed shoes look best with ankle socks.
If you’re ready to begin your own appearance transformation this summer, click here to visit Mark Belmont’s website. Oh, and don’t worry: he offers an unconditional money back guarantee, so it’s risk-free! To learn more, check out The Handsome Factor website
Let us know your thoughts on men’s shorts in the comments section below!
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