Shorts are casual-wear, period. No matter how you dress them up they
are not in the same league as trousers made from a similar fabric.
Outside the US they are not universally accepted as appropriate for wear
in public; many still view them as children’s wear or suitable only
when worn for sport. Looking to make a strong first impression? Think
twice about wearing shorts. That being said, shorts are not going
anywhere and are accepted as casual weekend and active wear throughout
the US.
How should shorts fit? – For summer wear anything
that sits 3 inches above the knee (give or take 2 inches) is perfect –
higher it starts to enter the territory of gym shorts, lower and they
begin to look like capris…..which along with jean shorts men should
always avoid. Shorts should fit with two to four inches of room in the
hips depending on personal preference.
What fabrics? – Short fabric should be cotton; not
only is it the perfect fabric for hot weather, but its durable
properties allow you to wash it a bit rougher in order to remove any
grass or food stains. As for summer colors, think light and airy.
Light khaki, tan, and even white if you’re not attending a bar-b-que are
fine. Madras, a summer staple with Indian origins, is a multi-colored
patchwork fabric made from very lightweight cotton. It was introduced
into the US market over 50 years ago and has established itself as
colorful but safe summer classic for the younger man.
Short style – The simpler the shorts, the dressier
they will look. Hence cargo shorts with their oversized pockets, logos,
and loops are the most casual and best reserved for the young man. On
the other end of the spectrum are the sleek dress shorts you see for
golfing – complete with belt loops and pleats; these are meant to be
worn with shirts tucked in and are made from tighter woven cotton
fabrics.
What to wear with shorts – Shorts naturally are at
home with t-shirts and sandals. Most of us consider it dressing them up
when we wear them with a polo shirt, so pairing them with anything more
formal than a short-sleeve button up sport shirt requires a bit of
sartorial sophistication. Be very careful when looking to pair shorts
up with garments such as a blazer – it’s a look very few can pull off.
Better to move up and put on a pair of trousers.
A quick note on Jeans, Chinos, and Trousers – since we just covered these in the wardrobe series part II, I’ll simply focus on these clothing articles as they pertain to hot weather wear.
