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 27 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
Earlier this spring, a very specific segment of menswear Twitter lost its damn mind thirsting 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 Shorts With the Most Range
These shorts hit two of today’s major fashion trends. The first one is the undeniable thirst for retro soccer style. The second is Adam Sandler. There isn’t a pair of shorts that swings as wide that these do, which is exactly why you need a pair. Wear ’em with the rest of your workout gear on a heart-pumping gym session. Toss them on with a denim shirt and a bucket hat for a casual spring look. Or go full Sandler with some crusty Ugg boots and an old T-shirt as you pop into your local bodega during a brief Netflix intermission.
The Best Yacht Life Shorts
Casablanca high-rise slubbed cotton shorts
If your summer plans involve chowing down on some local delicacies somewhere off the coast of the Mediterranean—or that’s simply the vibe you’re trying to cultivate—a pair of pristine, retro-inspired shorts will help you nail the landing. If there was ever a pair to introduce to your most easy-going, completely-untethered-from-sartorial-norms blazer, it would be these. (Aperol spritz sadly not included.)
The Best Denim shorts
Breaking news: The jorts renaissance shows no sign of slowing down. There are plenty of pairs out there that fit slim and trim like their full-length counterparts, but these are cut the way we think jean shorts should be: big, wide, and vaguely reminiscent of the ones your older cousin wore in the ’90s. You might not want to hear it, but at this rate, jorts are well on their way to joining Illmatic and the Jordan 1 as certified classics. (Hey, we’re just the messengers.)
The Repentant Skate Rat Shorts
If you’re the sort of fella who spent most of his 20s in gym shorts and the kind of sneakers that sell out in seconds, Stüssy’s linen shorts want to help you level up your rotation—and curb your hypebeast tendencies. Don’t worry, they fit just like your favorite nylon numbers—wide, above-the-knee, and with a comfortable elastic waist—but they’ll also play nice with those swanky new loafers you can’t stop gabbing about. And should the need for an impromptu kickflip strike (it really shouldn’t), they still offer plenty of mobility.
The Best Prep Revival Shorts
Todd Snyder seersucker weekend shorts
Over the last few years, the line between streetwear’s dominance and the neo-prep resurgence has become so blurred it looks more like a squiggle. (The brand behind your favorite graphic tee probably also sells a pretty sick double-breasted suit.) Enter these seersucker shorts from Todd Snyder, which marry streetwear’s comfort-first ethos (note the gym short-esque elastic waistband) with classic Ivy League styling. The result is a pair of shorts that you can wear any way you want: with trashed canvas kicks and a T-shirt, or loafers and the polo of the season.
The Best Out and About Shorts
The Real McCoys outdoor utility shorts
Perhaps you’ve got fond childhood memories of pitching tents, kindling fires, and roasting s’mores—or maybe you just need a couple of spare pockets to store your keys and credit card. Point is, The Real McCoys’ utility shorts are up for the job, thanks to their sturdy, made-in-Japan construction and the kind of obsessive attention to detail that remains the brand’s hallmark.
18 More Pairs of Mens Shorts That We Love
Aries leopard print shorts
You’ve heard of going out shirts…and now you’ve heard of going out shorts. A leopard might not change its spots, but it’s never too late to switch up your style.
Monitaly belted easy shorts
Hiking shorts are everywhere right now, but this pair’s trippy rug-inspired pattern catapults them to the top of the peak.
Corridor jacquard woven shorts
Like your favorite pair of sweat shorts, but with an entrancing pattern you’ll never wanna stop looking at.
Smock Nomi lounge shorts
The perfect shorts to throw on when you cancel those dinner plans last-minute to take some much-deserved down time.
Fil Melange “Alfie” shorts
When the temps get balmy, your heavy-duty double-knees deserve a break. But if you’re still chasing those jobsite-adjacent vibes, we’ve got just the pair of shorts to replace them with.
Stan Ray fatigue short
Inspired by vintage army pants, these olive drab shorts are ready for duty with some chunky socks and Birkenstocks.
L.E.J. striped cotton-poplin shorts
Cabana stripes like this remind us that we need to request time off for a Mediterranean vacation.
Todd Snyder 7″ washed corduroy Weekend short
Not every weekend can be a three-day weekend. But these velvety-soft corduroy shorts can make every weekend a great weekend.
Allude straight-leg virgin wool and cashmere-blend shorts
When you’re ready to level up your lounging, these luxe sweat shorts are waiting for you.
J.Crew 6″ Dock short
Soft lilac is a soothing way to step into spring (preferably with a good pair of loafers and a refreshing cocktail).
Needles basketball short
Calling on the NBA to form a new basketball team solely to wear these shorts.
Uniqlo nylon utility geared shorts
The best cost-per-pocket shorts around.
Eckhaus Latta Switch shorts
If the Matrix took place in summer.
Loewe drawstring cargo-pocket cotton Bermuda shorts
The grey area between pants and shorts are these long shorts, aka Bermuda shorts. Keep everything loose and pair this with a flowy shirt and sandals or a baggy hoodie and your most thrashed skate shoes.
Bode full towel rugby one-of-a-kind shorts
Fashioned from vintage pool towels, Emily Bode once again elevates upcycling to great effect.
Dries Van Noten Heido wide-leg printed cotton-jersey drawstring shorts
When the shorts are the mood board.
Birdwell Beach Britches corduroy shorts
Like Led Zeppelin, corduroy shorts sound like a bit of an oxymoron and rank among the greatest things to come out of the ’70s.
Outerknown high tide terry shorts
Catch the wave.
