With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start updating your wardrobe for the new season ahead – and one essential staple that every man should have in his wardrobe – ideally in multiple different colours and styles to suit a variety of occasions – is a great pair of designer shorts.
Whether you’re heading to the office, hitting the beach, taking a day off in the city or jetting off on a lavish summer getaway, a stylish pair of designer shorts can take your summer look to the next level and command respect through an expression of impeccable taste.
Heading to your favourite luxury boutique to see what they’ve got in is a great place to start, as investing in a high-quality pair will ensure they don’t just look good, but are designed to last the distance, too.
With so many different colours, styles and fabrics to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start when shopping for the perfect pair of shorts, so we’ve put together a simple guide to help you find your ideal match.
Style
Shorts are versatile garments, and there’s a style to suit almost every occasion – so when shopping for yours, bear in mind when and where you want to wear them and allow this to be your initial guide.
Once upon a time, wearing shorts to the office would have been considered a no-go, but today, they get the smart-casual seal of approval. To play it safe, opt for a chino style if you plan to wear your shorts to work, and team them with a button-down summer shirt and loafers. Chino shorts are great because as well as being dressed up for occasions like this, they can also be dressed down to achieve the perfect off-duty cool – just throw on a t-shirt and some sandals for a casual lunch with friends.
Cargo shorts are another popular style to consider, and as the current 90s fashion revival rages on, they remain very much in vogue. A casual style featuring convenient pockets on the sides, they are a good choice for casual occasions and for when you’ll be doing outdoor activities, as well as being loose and lightweight enough to feel comfortable when the weather heats up.
If you’re going to the beach or will be spending a lavish holiday lounging by the pool, then a pair of stylish swim shorts is essential. We love the signature designer swim shorts by Orlebar Brown, which come in a range of styles, colours and prints, and are made from quality materials designed to dry quickly and keep you both looking and feeling cool, whatever the weather is doing.
Material
On that note, the type of material your shorts are made from is another important factor to think about, as in the summer months, you’ll want them to be as breathable and as comfortable as possible. Shorts made from denim might look good, but in hot weather they can quickly begin to chafe, whereas cotton is lightweight and will allow the air to circulate without creating any uncomfortable friction.
If you’re heading off on a luxury holiday by the sea then linen shorts are a great choice that will take you from day to night with effortless ease and never fail to look stylish. Exuding a sense of style and good taste, they can be paired with a linen shirt for an outfit that looks expensive and offers maximum comfort.
Avoid synthetic materials like polyester unless you’re buying board shorts or trunks for the swimming, as although durable and resistant to creasing, they are not particularly breathable and can quickly leave you feeling hot and sticky on warmer days. Polyester is, however, a good choice for swim shorts as the material dries quickly and is lightweight enough to allow you to move with ease in the water.
Fit
It doesn’t matter how much you love the style or how carefully you choose the material of your shorts, if they don’t fit you well they won’t look good, and a pair that is too big or too small is the quickest way to spoil even the most carefully put-together of looks. The sartorial male knows that a great pair of shorts should look as if they were made just for you, so if you’re unsure on your basic size then measure your waist, hips and inner leg and consult the sizing charts of the designer brand you’re shopping with to ensure you’ve got it right.
Different shorts styles come in a range of rises, so pay attention to how each one looks on you. The rise is the distance between the waistband and the crotch and will determine how the shorts sit on your waist and hips – if too short, then you might find yourself regularly having to pull your shorts down or rearrange them throughout the day, while too long, and they will look baggy, ill-fitting and detract from your overall look.
The most flattering pairs of shorts should sit an inch or two above the knee.
