The four types of shorts every man needs in his closet
By: Judah Estreicher CEO/Founder of JBD Clothiers
Summer is in full swing bringing with it long days and high temperatures. By now you have probably jumped in the pool, hopped on a boat, thrown some burgers on the grill or spent a weekend at the beach.
One thing is for sure though, there’s no escaping July’s heat. Now, before you start digging through your favorite summertime attire for ways to keep cool, let’s talk about the most versatile, yet overlooked, article of clothing: shorts. Although shorts may be in every man’s closet, not all shorts should be treated the same. Check out our “short” guide below, which lists four common styles of shorts, as well as a few tips on where and when to wear them.
1. Chino shorts
You’re likely familiar with this version of shorts and its warmer older brother — the chino pant. These shorts are a great, versatile option. They can be worn to your neighbor’s backyard barbecue or dressed down with a button-up shirt and blazer for a night out on the town. You don’t want your chino shorts to be any shorter than a few inches above your knee in order to achieve a winning look.
2. Tailored shorts
Yes, these exist and if your office isn’t too much of a stickler when it comes to its definition of business casual, these are going to be your best friend this summer. If you have trouble finding the perfect length and size of shorts, tailored shorts are the ultimate solution. Wear them with a brown derby shoe or a dressier pair of loafers and you are sure to win the business casual look this summer. These are another great option for a summer date night or a night out with friends.
3. Denim shorts
These are the shorts we all know and love; they are our casual summer look encapsulated. But if you want to maintain a stylish look while going casual, I have some warnings for you: nobody looks good in those baggy cargo denim shorts you can find at any run-of-the-mill department store.
Also, let’s leave the super short denim shorts to the ladies. Stay classy by wearing a slimmer fitting denim short that falls just an inch or two above the knee.
4. Swim trunks
There are a lot of sharp-looking swim trunks out there for men. My advice for these is similar to your best bet for denim shorts — opt for less baggy and not too short. The main reason I want to talk about swim trunks is this: they are for the beach or the pool. That’s it. If you want to dress like a gentleman, don’t wear your swim trunks anywhere you aren’t swimming.
Stick to my advice and you’ll be the coolest (literally and figuratively) and best-dressed gentleman in the room. Remember, don’t be discouraged if you’re unable to find your ideal pair of shorts, make an appointment with your local clothier to ensure the perfect fit.