You’d be surprised at the wide range of types of shorts for men there are out there. This ultimate guide will help you navigate this menswear essential.
I like a good pair of shorts. Just keep in mind that the keyword here is good. In fact, I’ll opt for them over pants whenever I can. Perhaps it’s the Californian in me.
My elementary school’s uniform conventions didn’t allow younger kids to wear long pants. It’s pretty old-fashioned, I know. I remember being seven years old and thinking that once I get to my long-pants era, I’m never going back.
And yet here I am. I think once I realized there are some great short styles for men, it shifted my perception of them. Heck, even Thom Browne is pioneering the suit-with-shorts movement.
Don’t worry; today’s guide won’t consist of anything that controversial and potentially faddish. These shorts are mostly menswear essentials, or at least adjacent to essentials, all perfect for warm weather.
Besides, as we’ve pointed out before, real men wear shorts.
Different Types of Shorts for Men
Here they are, in no particular order! Once you’ve decided which styles are right for you, you can learn the proper way shorts should fit.
Bermuda Shorts
Bermuda shorts actually exude a level of elegance thanks to their lightweight, structured, and below-knee length. They’re the warm weather, country-club-esque answer to khaki chinos. You can wear them with a knit polo or a linen summer suit jacket for a resort-chic approach.
No shorts are appropriate for formal situations, but this is as close as it gets.
They also come in preppy pastel colors, making them a staple in places like Nantucket, East Hampton, and Palm Beach.
They came about during World War II in the midst of a clothing shortage. Managers at a major Bermuda bank hired a tailor to make army-inspired shorts to be worn with a blazer. This way, you can be dressy but keep cool in a warm island climate.
Chino Shorts
Chino shorts are exactly what they sound like. They’re a short version of chinos, a classic pant originally made from a cotton twill fabric. They were originally made for the British and French military. Like so many army-developed garments, they’ve become menswear staples.
That being the case, chino shorts themselves are as versatile as their pant cousins. They’re often slim and sit beautifully above the knee for a trend-resistant look.
Today, they can be made out of synthetics and can be infused with stretch for extra mobility.
By the way, here are some of our favorite pairs of chino shorts.
Cargo Shorts
Another short version of a standard pant style, cargo shorts are defined by their large utility pockets and even loops for carrying tools. They have a practical aesthetic and pair well with boots and workwear.
Like cargo pants, which have made a comeback thanks to new refined renditions, there are now well-fitting, slim cargo shorts. Most of them fall right on the knee, but there are chino-cargo hybrids that have a shorter, cleaner hem.
Definitely take a pair of cargo shorts with you on your next summer camping trip.
Madras Shorts
Like Bermudas, madras shorts are a preppy staple. They’re definitely summer shorts — the warm weather equivalent to tartan clothes. After all, they sport a plaid-like design on the lightweight cotton surface.
They go well with sporty East Coast clothing combos. Think golf, croquet, squash, and anything on the water.
I’ve seen them paired with navy blazers on the hottest days at the country club. Though I’d say their most natural context is a polo, boat shoes, and held up with a nautical belt. Feel free to throw a cable-knit sweater over your shoulders in case it gets cold.
Trunks, Boardshorts, Swimming Shorts
There are different kinds of swimming shorts that can be used to convey different personal styles.
Board shorts are longer and droop at the waist, where you’ll usually tie them in place with a drawstring. Trunks are shorter, with a square shape, and they often, not always, have elastic waistbands.
Each represents a popular style for the summer. The former is more associated with board sports like surfing and paddle boarding. Meanwhile, trunks can look more classic or more in the beach-bod-tan-skin culture, depending on its design.
Sometimes, it’s a bit of both, like James Bond’s now iconic blue speedo shorts from Casino Royale.
And, of course, there are also true-blue athletic shorts made with performance material, providing a techy look.
Capris
Okay, so capris aren’t technically shorts. But they’re certainly shorter than pants and are arguably the middle-ground between shorts and long pants.
They’re also better for warm weather rather than cold weather. So they’re also functionally closer to shorts. It simply makes more sense to cover them here and not in a trouser guide.
The term capris is used interchangeably with the term flood pants. They’re short pants that expose all of the ankles at their longest and may even show some calf at their shortest.
They have a sporty, casual look, which is exactly what Emilio Pucci was going for when he invented them in the ‘50s.
Today, they’re not as popular for men. Capris aren’t for everyone.
That being the case, I think that they look absolutely classic with a linen polo and low-profile white
Otherwise, you can go super casual and just wear them like super baggy shorts with a relaxed oversized tee — if that’s your style!
Cycling Shorts, Running Shorts, and Other Athletic Shorts
I’m consolidating performance shorts because they’re not often worn for style. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up the fact that athleisure has made its way into everyday casual wear.
We have a guide to some great running outfits in any weather that you should check out!
All athletic shorts are made from lightweight material, many with synthetics, with some fitting closer to the body than others. Cycling shorts, for example, need to be aerodynamic and ensure everything stays in place.
Meanwhile, tennis shorts need to be free-flowing and often come with deep pockets for extra tennis balls.
Seersucker Shorts
Seersucker shorts are light, puckered cotton shorts featuring a thin railroad stripe. They’re often light in color, with common tones including creams, light blues, pastels, and warm but soft tones.
Seersucker is another preppy staple, but one more associated with Southern blue bloods, instead of New England ones. Think more Charleston, South Carolina, and Colonial Place in Richmond; less Greenwich, Connecticut, and Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Denim Shorts
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum from seersucker are jean shorts. People started to wear jean shorts, or jorts as they’re referred to semi-jokingly, in the ‘60s. It was part of the anti-establishment movement.
Today, they have more of a “carpenter core” vibe. Someone who loves cargo shorts may enjoy denim shorts, too.
In the ‘90s, they were pretty neutral, almost in the same way denim pants were and still are.
If you like the idea of denim shorts but think they’re too workwear or lumberjack-adjacent, try chambray.
Chambray is a lighter, more delicate cotton that has a similar textured aesthetic to denim. It’s cleaner looking with a touch of formality without going full dressy.
Another option is going for white denim shorts, which can be styled just like chino shorts.
Pleated Shorts
Pleated shorts can be made out of khaki material or even dress trouser material. They feature creases on the front coming down from the waistband.
One thing I like about pleats is that the extra space these folds create ensures that anything I put in my pocket won’t stick out dramatically. Yet it maintains the silhouette on your sides.
This is another more formal-looking pair of shorts that you can add to your hot weather arsenal. They definitely have a vintage or retro cool feel to them, though.
Linen Shorts
Linen is a generally popular material for warm weather. So, it’s no surprise that linen shorts are such an integral part of a summer wardrobe.
They’re light and breathable and pair naturally with a crewneck t-shirt, an aloha shirt, or an elegant knit polo. You can even wear them with a dress shirt, loafers, and a linen suit jacket.
They’re one of the most versatile summer shorts. And truly, I believe linen shorts are the perfect vacation shorts.
FAQs
Now you know what your options are! So, let’s get to some answers to common questions about the different types of shorts for men.
What Shorts Should Men Wear?
You can wear whatever shorts you want as long as it’s appropriate for the dress code and your priorities. Perhaps you need an athletic short for working out, or maybe you need a nice chino short for a touch of casual elegance.
How Many Types of Shorts Are There for Men?
There are many types of shorts, from performance models to more style-focused ones. Some versatile capsule pieces include linen shorts, chino shorts, and a nice pair of swim shorts.
What Are Short Shorts for Men Called?
Other names for short shorts include hot pants and shortcuts. There aren’t any special names for ones made for men instead of women.
What Are Long Shorts for Men Called?
Some longer shorts for men include knee-length shorts, bermudas, and capris.
Conclusion: The Right Shorts for You
So, now you know that there are many different types of shorts for men.
Some are even a combination of the two styles mentioned above. For example, you can have denim cargo shorts or seersucker capris.
Which style of shorts do you like the most? Do you already have a go-to style when it comes to shorts? Let me know in the comments!
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