Take a deep breath: shock is behind us. But instead of the acid-blasted joints Agassi rocked with his epic mullet, the best denim shorts for men these days are a serious, stylish look you’re unlikely to regret. Obviously, they weren’t always great, but style gods like Justin Bieber and Timothée Chalamet have kept them in the fashion discussion for much longer than Agassi expected. Now we’ve come full circle and Y2K fashion is once again in full swing, despite the drawbacks.
Casual players have always loved men’s jean shorts. But now exclusive Japanese labels and ultra-rich luxury fashion houses have also joined the blue wave. Jorts also has cross-generational appeal, involving Y2K-pushed villains and non-ironic cool dads alike. In a deep, dark wash, and paired with billowy button-ups and loafers, jorts can be surprisingly elegant. (If you have a baggy pair of jeans that are a little too worn out to wear outside the house, you can even DIY your own for a completely unique pair, frayed edges and all.) The point is, there are about a million ways to celebrate their glorious return, so we’ve brought together some of our favorites to help you enjoy the ride.
The Best Men’s Denim Shorts According to GQ
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Overall Best Denim Shorts: Levi’s 469 Loose 12″ Shorts
Jorts is also the first name in jeans that we choose. When you think of the category the image of Levi’s denim shorts probably comes to mind and that’s certainly no coincidence. We love 469 Fit for its ’90s loose and airy silhouette, strong, all-cotton denim and range of washes. The 12″ inseam (feet long, baby!) may be intimidating to some people, but the extra inches are more versatile than you think, especially with a slightly above average rise. And of course, you can easily hem them to your preferred length (or simply DIY them into cut-off jean shorts with a raw hem).
Like any of Levi’s flagship products, these come in a variety of colors and washes, from your standard medium wash blue denim to light wash black denim and more. Whether you wear these with t-shirts and hoodies, button-up shirts and loafers, or anything in between, the famous red tab label will suit any style.
Best Cutoff Denim Shorts: Ralph Lauren Vintage Classic Cutoff Shorts
Considering that jean shorts were the first cutoff, we totally respect anyone who wants to pay homage to that history. (It doesn’t hurt that cutoff shorts instantly take the edge off that sexy, sharp dress shirt you’re wearing on top, always a winning combination.) Ralph Lauren’s vintage-inspired cutoff shorts are packed with details that look like you’ve already been wearing them for seven summers: paint-splatter prints, a torn polo patch on the back, and a perfectly streaky wash. What’s also nice is that the entire offering comes in at $125, which is about $500 less than what your favorite Japanese repro brand is charging for a similar look.
