We’re at the midpoint of the season, and it’s natural for cracks to appear in your summer wardrobe due to the constant heat. Those little cracks can turn into potholes, especially when thigh-revealing shorts are involved. The triviality of the shorts debate naturally keeps summer’s favorite garment in a state of stylistic flux.
Should we be wearing roomy shorts that wrap around our upper calves, or should our quads share the spotlight with a classic short? Sadly, there’s no right answer, but people like Paul Mescal have slowly brought the short into the spotlight, proving that it deserves a spot in every summer rotation. The next question you may be asking is: What, exactly, makes a pair of men’s shorts short? In our book, an inseam of about 5 to 3 inches represents the golden mean.
Rest assured, there are some great shorts out there this season. (Dare I say brief one more time.) We’re talking every price point, fabric, application, and style, from shorties to actual shorties, from the crispest nylons to the bounciest linens and everything in between, all worthy of getting you through the next three months and beyond.
short shorts hit-list
patagonia
5″ Baggy Shorts
5” baggies have been the best pound-for-pound shorts in the world for so many years that we’ve lost count, but don’t sleep on 7” longs either.
drake’s
Straight-Leg Pleated Cotton Twill Chino Shorts
It’s hard to find a pair of Loose(R) pleated shorts with a short inseam, but Drake absolutely crushed this pair, which shows off a bunch of thigh but doesn’t hug it too tightly.
j crew
5″ Everyday Short Drawstring
Between the beachy pincord, short inseam, and extra stretch at the waistband, you’ll have trouble finding a pair of gym shorts that are equipped to handle the heat.
Prophecy
Field Straight-Leg Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Twill Shorts
Prime-era Bjorn Borg would have lost his mind over these.
William Ellery
froggy shorts
Have you ever wondered what a different pair of shorts on this list would look like if they were camouflaged at every turn as well as packed neatly into a pocket – this is what they would look like.
District Darshan
5″ training shorts
Equipped with both moisture and odor control and a built-in liner, these featherweight workout shorts are the kind that won’t make your gym session feel like a steam room.
American ditch
Original Equipment Classic Mesh Short
Not only are these some of my favorite mesh shorts — they’re short, wide, and importantly, with side pockets — but they’re also made in Pennsylvania and cost just $55. Are there any downsides? They sometimes sell out, but not otherwise.
everybody world
everyday shorts
Think of these like a cropped T-shirt, but for your legs.
Nike
Dri-Fit 5″ Brief-Lined Running Shorts
Nike has once again made a pair of shorts so light that it somehow feels more cumbersome to wear nothing at all.
small talk studio
Vented Drawstring Shorts
The knitted tape is nice and all, but Small Talk went further and made the stripes on the side of these track shorts an entire ventilation system.
greg laboratory
E-SS26 Shorts
These might be the most inventive shorts I’ve seen this season: The front pockets are completely hidden by deep pleats, the scooped back pockets are reminiscent of climbing pants, and the fit is as baggy as anything I’ve owned without looking awkward. And for those in doubt, that inseam is 5″.
The 3.5-inch inseam may feel extremely small. But don’t be afraid, just channel your inner Harrison Ford at Cannes.
