The arrival of shorts season is worth celebrating here in the UK. We don’t get long to let our legs out, so when we do, we should do it in style. And with summer just around the corner, now’s the time to get planning. We’ve got a bit of everything here, from adventure-ready winners to American workwear classics, and some bold and out-there prints too. Get stuck in.
Are these a summer-ready set of leg-flashers, or a stern reminder to water the houseplants you’ve completely forgotten about with all your outdoor frolicking? We’ll leave you (and your withering dracaena marginata) to decide.
Buy from Levi’s | £40
The American workwear giant has made these flattering chino shorts from a hard-wearing wrinkle- and stain- resistant fabric, meaning we’re yet to find a reason to take them off.
Buy from Dickies | £45
One for all the barbecue dads out there. This pair of Tims will not only look the business next to the grill but, with a little stretch woven into the organic cotton, are also more than ready to cope with your dramatic lunge to intercept a toddler moving at speed towards the coals.
Buy from Timberland | £65 (currently reduced to £45.50)
Bright red shorts with big bold prints mean one thing: keeping everything else in your outfit plain and simple. These shorts – which come from world-renowned skater Keith Hufnagel’s brand – just need a crisp white tee and some tidy white sneakers.
Buy from HUF | £80
We’re already thinking about all the summer essentials that we can stash in that front pocket. An icy cold beer on a hot summer’s day… that’s about as far as we’ve got, but there’s probably a whole bunch of other ideas.
Buy from The Hundreds | £95
The designers at Dutch brand Mr Marvis Marvis think, nay, they know, they’ve stumbled upon the fabled perfect short, hence why they promise to never change the winning fit they so staunchly stick to. Of the full spectrum of colours they currently stock, these feel particularly special – a petrol blue Liberty print fabric bedecked with yellow Caspian tigers. One for your next gin soirée under the Mediterranean pergola, we think.
Buy from Mr Marvis | £109
After a beasting in the gym or a hellish PB around the park, nothing feels quite like a hot shower and a pair of loose, soft and heavyweight jersey cotton shorts to pad around your abode in. Consider all of those boxes ticked with these.
Buy from Weekday | £35
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When it comes to summer staples, denim shorts are up there with T-shirt tan lines and losing your car keys in the sand. That means, you’re going to want to get your new pair absolutely right. Since Gothenburg’s Nudie never seems to put a foot wrong with its true blue (and black) jeans, you’re in safe hands. Pop on a slightly oversized white tee, these shorts and a set of chunky black hiking sandals – socks too if you’re feeling wild – for a look that will last you all summer long.
Buy from Nudie Jeans | £110
The kind of shorts that wouldn’t look out of place on Richard Dreyfuss’ Matt Hooper in Jaws – pre-washed, deep blue, with make-do-and-mend drawstring. Shorts that look ready for anything, even biffing a Great White right on the schnozz. A summer look we can all get behind, we think you’ll agree.
Buy from The Brokedown Palace | £50
Time-tested lightweight linen meets a contemporary silhouette in these tailored shorts from… oh come on, let’s be honest, despite the many winning details, the only thing we’re concentrating on is that absolutely delicious summer colour. Pale Clementine, we’re glad to have met you.
Buy from Orlebar Brown | £155
