The best shorts for men? Complicated question. Before we dig into the billion-and-one designs, we gotta talk length and shape. TikTok Teens would have you believe that a five-inch inseam is
the only length that matters. Fellas like Milo Ventimiglia and Paul Mescal, however, might urge you to go up a couple of inches and show off a little more thigh. And on the other end of the spectrum entirely, our May cover star Justin Bieber prefers to step out in loose, baggy shorts that would make members of Michigan's Fab Five proud. The beauty is that you can go for anywhere along the spectrum—or, better yet, make a few stops along the way and stock your closet with a wide variety of shorts. Because there's an absolutely insane amount of styles out there.
To help with that, we've turned up the 22 best shorts for men for every possible budget and need. Whether you’re after for an elegant pleated pair—à la Giorgio Armani—or just some breathable nylon beaters to get you through the weekend, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the grade-A options that’ll free your trunks.
The Best Do-Everything Shorts
Nike woven shorts
Earlier this spring, a very specific segment of menswear Twitter lost its damn mindthirsting over this unassuming pair of shorts from the Swoosh. We were skeptical at first. Then we saw the perfect inseam length, the sleek finish, the low-key colorblocking. Taken together, those details make for shorts you'll want to wear all day every day, no matter what you've got on the agenda. Turns out, Twitter gets it right sometimes.
The Best All-Around Shorts
Alex Mill flat front chino shorts
When you're after a pair of regular, everyday shorts that fit like a charm, Alex Mill truly understands the assignment. Their strategy? Take their best-selling chino pants and chop 'em down for summer wear. Wide-legged and relaxed with just a hint of stretch, they're about as versatile, comfortable, and timelessly stylish as a pair of shorts can be.
The Best Handcrafted Shorts
Corridor handblock paisley drawstring short
Give your tropical print shirts the summer off. Corridor's tasty shorts are doused in a traditional paisley that's printed by hand using natural vegetable dyes. As trippy and out-there as the pattern might seem, the subdued tones mean they'll sync up like a charm with everything from crisp camp shirts and tees to linen blazers and polos.
The Best Denim Shorts
Our Legacy denim short cut shorts
Yes, it's true: the jorts revival is here to stay, and it's time you got on board. Our Legacy's denim line is famous for experimenting with silhouettes and offbeat finishing touches, and their take on jean shorts is particularly playful. Using a special digital printing technique, they've overlaid the fades from a pair of vintage denim directly onto these brand-new jeans. The result is a pair of killer shorts that look straight off the thrift store rack, but upon closer inspection are as ultramodern as it gets.
18 More Pairs of Mens Shorts that We Love
Birdwell Beach Britches corduroy shorts
Todd Snyder + Champion reverse French terry warm up short
Abercrombie A&F resort short
Jungmaven garment-dyed hemp and organic cotton-blend jersey drawstring shorts
Gramicci G shorts
SMR Days high-cut check-embroidered silk shorts
Neighborhood indigo washed-denim cargo shorts
Studio Nicholson selvedge-denim wide-leg shorts
Fear of God Essentials stretch-jersey shorts
Kapital crazy patchwork eco boardshorts
The Elder Statesman color-blocked knitted organic cotton shorts
Umit Benan B+ "Roberts" pleated shorts
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By Adam Hurly