I recently spoke to Forbes about men’s shorts. The article features several of my tips, and I dig in further below.

We’re in the middle of summer, not to mention a global heat wave, and shorts are a staple. Shorts are one of those things that, if you execute well, they can make your outfit. If not, they’ll break it.

Here are my additional tips on how to make your summer shorts style effortless and flattering.

Know Your Fit

I like to see the waistband laying neatly flat across the waist with no drooping in the front or sagging in the seat (aka khaki “diaper butt”). You also want to consider the circumference of your thighs in relation to the leg opening on your shorts. They want to be trim enough through the legs where they aren’t ballooning around your thighs, but have enough give that you can walk and sit comfortably. If you have very built thighs, narrow leg openings will be tough both putting on and going from sitting to standing. It’s annoying and uncomfortable having to tug a pair of shorts down if they get stuck on your thighs. So try the sit and stand test before buying.

Inseam Matters

Inseam is such a big deal that it gets its own bullet point. Think about inseam in relation to your height, whether you’re long- or short-torsoed (and, conversely, have legs that are proportionally short or long for your body), and how confident you are in your legs. As a general rule, the sweet spot for your shorts length is for the hem to hit about three quarters of the way down your upper leg. Most shorts have either a 5, 7 or 9 inch inseam. If you’re 5’ 9” or under, stick with 7 inches or shorter. Any additional length will be too long and look like board shorts on you. For those 5’ 10” and up, you can safely try any of the inseams, keeping in mind that a 5” inseam will be fairly skimpy on you, so it’s important that you feel good about the build of your quads. Keep in mind that lighter colors are less forgiving, so be careful not to push the envelope in a pair of white shorts. Finally, the 9” inseam reads as conservative. It’s also a good choice if you’re lacking confidence in the build of your legs. And don't be afraid to buy long, then hem a pair of shorts in order to achieve your perfect length.

Types of Shorts

-Flat front is a perfect no-brainer and classic go-to. You may turn heads, but you won’t raise eyebrows.

-Pleated reads as conservative and is helpful if you need a little more room for pizza.

-Denim is a tightrope walk. It can be youthful and edgy, or dated and dad-like depending on the wash and cut.

-The meme above always makes me laugh — I think cargo shorts get a bad rap. When pulled off well and fitting in a nicely tailored way, they can be a nice way to mix up your shorts game. The main thing here is to avoid very long or blousy cargo shorts because that can come off as frumpy.

-Drawstring is perfect for vacation-wear because it’s inherently more casual.

-Sweat and workout shorts are for exactly that: sweating and working out. They’re also OK for at-home loungewear.

When and Where to Wear Shorts

During the day is always a safe bet. If you’re considering wearing shorts to a restaurant but are unsure, take a minute to call and confirm whether shorts are acceptable if nothing about dress code is listed on the website. There’s no shame in doing some extra anonymous legwork!

Cheers,

Julie