Joe's Picks

← Trousers Worth Hanging in Your Wardrobe

Shorts Worth Getting Out Worth the Closer Look

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Joe's Top Picks

Check Shorts That Actually Earn Their Keep SPARTOO.CO.UK Enorsia Check Print Jersey Shorts men's Shorts in Marine Jump to section ↓

$22.99 SPARTOO.CO.UK

Plain Shorts That Don't Try Too Hard SOCK SHOP Pack Black Basic Natural Cotton Boxer Shorts Men's Mens Jump to section ↓

$28.99 SOCK SHOP

Printed Shorts That Don't Try Too Hard BLACKS Kids' Shorts - Grey -Y Jump to section ↓

$25.00 BLACKS

Regular Fit Shorts That Actually Fit Right LA REDOUTE UK Slim Fit Stretch Shorts Jump to section ↓

$51.09 LA REDOUTE UK

Relaxed Shorts Worth the Closer Cut MADE IN PARADIS UK Chino shorts Guess Gj Regular Jump to section ↓

$39.59 MADE IN PARADIS UK

Stripe Shorts That Punch Above Their Weight BLACKS Men’s Tanken Shorts - Black R Jump to section ↓

$45.00 BLACKS

The Tailored Shorts Worth Knowing About MADE IN PARADIS UK Swim shorts Superdry Essential Jump to section ↓

$27.97 MADE IN PARADIS UK

Check Shorts That Actually Earn Their Keep

Most check shorts miss the point entirely. They lean too loud, too resort, too much like something bought in a hurry at an airport. The result is a pair that works for approximately one week in August and then gets shoved to the back of a drawer. What we've been looking for are check shorts that carry the same considered quality as the rest of a well built warm weather wardrobe. That means the check itself has to be scaled right for the garment, the fabric has to have enough weight to hang properly rather than billowing around the leg, and the cut has to sit at a length that reads as intentional rather than accidental. Tailored enough to work with a linen shirt and loafers. Relaxed enough that you're not overdressed on a Saturday afternoon. These are shorts that pull their weight across the whole summer, not just the obvious moments.

SPARTOO.CO.UK Enorsia Check Print Jersey Shorts men's Shorts in Marine $22.99 SPARTOO.CO.UK

OXYGEN_CLOTHING Club Check Shorts $126.65 OXYGEN_CLOTHING

SPARTOO.CO.UK Lyle & Scott Check Panelled Sweat Shorts Cove men's Shorts in Beige $54.95 SPARTOO.CO.UK

LA REDOUTE UK Plain Shirt and Checked Shorts Short Pyjamas $22.74 LA REDOUTE UK

SPARTOO.CO.UK Lyle & Scott Check Panelled Sweat Shorts Dark Navy men's Shorts in Blue $54.95 SPARTOO.CO.UK

WEIRD FISH Weird Fish Kanada EcoVero™ Printed Viscose Shorts Adriatic Blue Size $24.50 WEIRD FISH

INSTOCK UK Payden Pack Check Boxer Shorts - S Assorted $6.99 INSTOCK UK

LA REDOUTE UK Houndstooth Check Shorts in Wool Mix $16.20 LA REDOUTE UK

THE_DOUBLE_F Slim-fit swim shorts with Check trim in black nylon $435.00 THE_DOUBLE_F

BLACKS Men’s " Shorts $40.00 BLACKS

FILA UK Skyway Mariano Tonal Check Swim Shorts $40.00 FILA UK

THE_DOUBLE_F Yellow Shorts with check pattern $31.20 THE_DOUBLE_F

Plain Shorts That Don't Try Too Hard

Most men own at least one pair of shorts that they never quite reach for. Too many pockets, some unnecessary seam detail, a logo doing more work than it should. The better approach is almost always simpler than it looks. A plain short in a sensible length, a fabric that doesn't go stiff in the sun or cling after a swim, and a waistband that sits where it should without fuss. That is genuinely harder to find than it has any right to be. We have been looking specifically at options that work whether you are in a garden with a beer or walking somewhere that requires a bit more effort. Nothing that screams holiday. Nothing that requires a particular context to make sense. The shorts in here have no gimmicks, no branding that needs explaining away, and no details that date them inside a season. They just fit well and look considered. Sometimes that is the whole job.

SOCK SHOP Pack Black Basic Natural Cotton Boxer Shorts Men's Mens $28.99 SOCK SHOP

BONMARCHE UK Bonmarche Tile Print Elasticated Shorts $6.00 BONMARCHE UK

BLACKS Men’s Baggy Shorts - Grey " Regular $39.97 BLACKS

VIADUCT CLOTHING adidas Originals Allover Print Scallop Shorts - Brown - L Brown $39.99 VIADUCT CLOTHING

SOCK SHOP Pack Black Grey Marl Cotton Plain Fitted Key Hole Trunk Boxer Shorts Men's Small $9.99 SOCK SHOP

INSTOCK UK Plain Frill Peplum Sleeve Top Shorts Co-ord Set - L Green $19.85 INSTOCK UK

VIADUCT CLOTHING adidas Terrex Parley Agravic All-Around Shorts - Black Solar Gold - S " Black $34.99 VIADUCT CLOTHING

INSTOCK UK Plain Frill Peplum Sleeve Top Shorts Co-ord Set - SM Beige $19.94 INSTOCK UK

VIADUCT CLOTHING adidas Performance Saturday Shorts - Green - M " $19.99 VIADUCT CLOTHING

INSTOCK UK Avie Plain Frill Peplum Sleeve Top Shorts Co-ord Set - ML Black $19.85 INSTOCK UK

LA REDOUTE UK -Piece Short Sleeve Shirt and Shorts Outfit $10.99 LA REDOUTE UK

SOCK SHOP Pack Black Grey Marl Cotton Plain Fitted Button Front Trunk Boxer Shorts Men's Medium $9.99 SOCK SHOP

Printed Shorts That Don't Try Too Hard

Most printed shorts get it wrong in the same direction. Too loud, too literal, too much going on. The kind of thing that announces itself before you've walked into the room. What we've been looking for instead are prints that read as considered rather than chaotic, the sort that work with a plain linen shirt or a washed out tee without the whole outfit feeling like it's fighting itself. Scale matters more than people think. A smaller, more contained print tends to behave better across more situations than something blown up to fill every inch of fabric. Length matters too. Anything above the knee but not so short it looks like you've borrowed them from someone smaller. The shorts in here work on holiday but they'd hold up at a barbecue or a casual weekend without looking like a costume. That's the standard we applied. Prints that earn their place without shouting about it.

BLACKS Kids' Shorts - Grey -Y $25.00 BLACKS

LA REDOUTE UK Printed Cotton Cycling Shorts $17.24 LA REDOUTE UK

PUBLIC_DESIRE_UK_ High Waist Printed Shorts Multi $28.00 PUBLIC_DESIRE_UK_

PITOD'S AFFILIATE PROGRAM Printed P Shorts $24.50 PITOD'S AFFILIATE PROGRAM

SOCK SHOP SOCKSHOP Music Collection Pack Nirvana Boxer Shorts Black Medium $14.99 SOCK SHOP

TOKYO LAUNDRY Jogger Shorts Tavon Graphic Motif Brushback Fleece Jogger Shorts in Zephyr Rose $12.99 TOKYO LAUNDRY

BLACKS Men’s Swimming Shorts $13.00 BLACKS

BLACKS Men's Tech Graphic Shorts $16.97 BLACKS

SOCK SHOP SOCKSHOP Music Collection Pack Green Day Boxer Shorts Black Medium $14.99 SOCK SHOP

STANDOUT Logo Swim Shorts $54.95 STANDOUT

SUPERDRY_UK Superdry & Co Men's Printed Logo -Inch Swim Shorts Blue Stormy Weather Blue - Size: $34.99 SUPERDRY_UK

Pack of Men’s Boxer Shorts Classic Fit Jersey Underwear with Printed Design Button Fly & Elastic Waistband by Sock Stack – LARGE ASSORTED

INSTOCK UK Pack of Men’s Boxer Shorts Classic Fit Jersey Underwear with Printed Design Button Fly & Elastic Waistband by Sock Stack - LARGE ASSORTED $14.00 INSTOCK UK

Regular Fit Shorts That Actually Fit Right

The problem with most shorts is not the length or the colour. It is the fit across the seat and thigh, which is where regular fit goes wrong more often than it goes right. Too much fabric and they billow. Too little and the whole thing pulls. The sweet spot is a regular fit that actually means something, relaxed enough to move in, shaped enough to look considered rather than accidental. We have been through a lot of shorts to get to this point. Fabric matters more than most men think. A decent weight cotton or a linen blend that does not crease into chaos by midday makes a real difference to whether you reach for them again or leave them at the back of a drawer. These are the ones that work for the pub, the weekend away, the barbecue where you actually want to look like you tried a bit. Regular fit done properly is a useful thing. These are worth the wardrobe space.

LA REDOUTE UK Slim Fit Stretch Shorts $51.09 LA REDOUTE UK

JUICY COUTURE UK SKY BLUE VELOUR OUTLINE DIAMANTÉ TRACK SHORTS - XX Blue $45.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

MADE IN PARADIS UK Denim shorts Blend BHTWISTER REG $18.04 MADE IN PARADIS UK

INSTOCK UK Mens Ace Short Sport Quick Drying Shorts with Pockets - L Burgundy $43.99 INSTOCK UK

LA REDOUTE UK Gingham Print CottonLinen Shorts $26.99 LA REDOUTE UK

LA REDOUTE UK Essentials Woven Training Shorts $23.00 LA REDOUTE UK

JUICY COUTURE UK CHERRY BLOSSOM VELOUR OUTLINE DIAMANTÉ TRACK SHORTS - S Pink $45.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

SUPERDRY_UK Superdry & Co Men's Premium Regular Chino Shorts Yellow Washed Yellow - Size: $44.99 SUPERDRY_UK

STANDOUT Regular Fit Stretch Cotton Shorts $79.95 STANDOUT

HUNKEMOLLER_UK Hunkemöller Invisible Shorts Black $8.00 HUNKEMOLLER_UK

VIADUCT CLOTHING adidas Originals Taped Shorts $14.99 VIADUCT CLOTHING

SNEAKIN UK shirt and shorts set Tapout Walker $27.82 SNEAKIN UK

Relaxed Shorts Worth the Closer Cut

Most men buying shorts default to one of two things: too long and baggy because it feels safe, or too short and fitted because someone told them that was the move. Neither is quite right. The sweet spot is a relaxed cut that still has enough tailoring in it to look considered rather than accidental. That means a length that sits above the knee without going full athletics, a waistband that actually sits where it should, and fabric with enough weight to drape rather than cling. We've been looking specifically at shorts that can handle a linen shirt as easily as a washed tee, and that work in a garden as well as on a terrace somewhere considerably warmer. The fit is doing more work here than most people give it credit for. A shorter inseam on a relaxed cut reads as confident and put together in a way that the mid thigh swim short never quite manages. These are the ones worth the closer look.

MADE IN PARADIS UK Chino shorts Guess Gj Regular $39.59 MADE IN PARADIS UK

PRETTYLITTLETHING UK Petite Light Blue Stretch Denim High Waisted Shorts $14.00 PRETTYLITTLETHING UK

BLACKS Men's Brisk Pro Shorts - Black R $35.00 BLACKS

BLACKS Men'ss All Roads Waterproof Shorts $35.97 BLACKS

CIRCLE FASHION MOOSE KNUCKLES HARTSFIELD JERSEY SHORTS Size: L, colour: GREY $190.00 CIRCLE FASHION

KAIIA_THE_LABEL Kaiia Logo Mini Shorts Baby Blue Marl $18.00 KAIIA_THE_LABEL

JOSEPH Laven Printed Silk Shorts $345.00 JOSEPH

SNEAKIN UK Swim shorts Protest Mascot $36.05 SNEAKIN UK

STANDOUT New Orion Sweat Shorts $44.95 STANDOUT

OXYGEN_CLOTHING Chino Shorts $84.15 OXYGEN_CLOTHING

MADE IN PARADIS UK Cargo shorts Superdry Core $47.90 MADE IN PARADIS UK

STUARTS LONDON Edwin Kumo Shorts $36.00 STUARTS LONDON

Stripe Shorts That Punch Above Their Weight

Most men either avoid stripe shorts entirely or buy ones that look like they came free with a hotel room. Neither is the right answer. A stripe done well on a short is one of the easiest ways to add some personality to summer dressing without making decisions you will regret in photographs. The key is scale and colour. A stripe that is too wide reads as novelty. Too narrow and it disappears entirely. Get it right and you have something that works at the beach, at a barbecue, or wherever summer actually takes you. We have been looking specifically at shorts where the stripe feels considered rather than applied as an afterthought, where the fabric has enough weight to hang properly, and where the length sits somewhere useful rather than at the knee or embarrassingly above it. These are not shorts that need an excuse. They carry themselves well and they make getting dressed in summer considerably less tedious.

BLACKS Men’s Tanken Shorts - Black R $45.00 BLACKS

TOKYO LAUNDRY Shorts Mula Cotton Herringbone Stripe Chino Shorts in Washed Red $8.99 TOKYO LAUNDRY

JUICY COUTURE UK PEPPERMINT APPLIQUE TERRY BOOTY SHORTS - XX Green $45.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

JUICY COUTURE UK PEPPERMINT APPLIQUE TERRY BOOTY SHORTS - Green $45.00 JUICY COUTURE UK

BONMARCHE UK Bonmarche Stone Seersucker Striped Shorts, Size: $16.00 BONMARCHE UK

VIADUCT CLOTHING adidas Originals adicolor -Stripe Shorts - Pink - L Pink $34.99 VIADUCT CLOTHING

BLACKS Three Stripe Shorts $9.97 BLACKS

BONMARCHE UK Bonmarche Ivory Striped Shorts, Size: $16.00 BONMARCHE UK

LA REDOUTE UK Essential -Stripe Fleece Shorts $28.00 LA REDOUTE UK

DOROTHY PERKINS UK British Boxers "boat Blue" Stripe Crisp Cotton Pyjama Shorts In Light Blue $38.25 DOROTHY PERKINS UK

BLUE VANILLA Stripe Belted Shorts - S BLACK $12.00 BLUE VANILLA

SNEAKIN UK Swim shorts adidas " $19.01 SNEAKIN UK

The Tailored Shorts Worth Knowing About

Most men treat shorts as a concession to the weather rather than an actual wardrobe decision, and it shows. The wrong pair reduces an otherwise considered outfit to something that looks like it was assembled in a rush before a barbecue. Tailored shorts are a different proposition entirely. A proper rise, a clean line through the thigh, a hem that sits at or just above the knee. These small details are what separate a pair that works in a restaurant or at a smart outdoor event from one that only works in your back garden. We have been paying close attention to construction here, specifically fabrics with enough structure to hold their shape through a full day and cuts that sit properly with a linen shirt or a lightweight polo. Linen, cotton twill, technical weaves that travel well. These are not shorts you tolerate. They are shorts you actually plan around, which is exactly how it should be.

MADE IN PARADIS UK Swim shorts Superdry Essential $27.97 MADE IN PARADIS UK