The summer heatwave is here and so is the ubiquitous stickiness that goes along with the hellish temperatures the season brings. Even though we live in one of the hottest states in the country, we still have places to go and who wants to wear pants?
Enter the need for a brand new pair of men’s summer shorts. Notice I said NEED. Amigos, the meltdown is REAL!
Even the most stylish man may fear wearing shorts because there is so much that can go wrong. But don’t worry—we’ve got this! When buying a pair of shorts, consider your build, the correct length, material, color and overall style!
The two most important things when considering new shorts are material and length. Since one of the main benefits of wearing shorts is to keep cool, you’ll do well to stick with lightweight, breathable fabrics. Two materials that come to mind are cotton, the fabric of your life, and linen. There’s nothing sexier than a man in linen shorts! Now I know what you’re going to say about slaving over the ironing board with linen, but if you have the coins, a beautiful pair of linen shorts is a must-have for that special occasion.
Microfibers are also great! They dry fast, and they are not prone to wrinkles. Today’s polyester is not what it used to be, and with technological improvements today’s microfibers breath and keep you cool.
I love me some pattern shorts, but be sure to pair them with neutral or plain tops to avoid getting “too busy”!
Length is an important aspect of your short choice. Aim for the sweet spot: somewhere just above the knee and mid-thigh.
We are in South Florida, so be bold and beautiful with your color choices. But keep in mind if you’re pale, you’ll look best in dark colors. As your skin tone darkens, you can work with more pastels and also add bright colors to the mix; for olive skin tones, go bold! For the fellas with darker skin tones, you can go with whatever color you want. Just remember—you bettah work!
Remember, some shorts are just flat out forbidden! Behind every badly dressed man is a sad pair of cargo shorts! Just say no to cargo shorts. And don’t get me started on Daisy Dukes! They just don’t work and should stay in the 1980’s!
Three-quarter length pants (some people call these Capri pants) are also a big no-no! I love to travel to the island of Capri, but I don’t want to wear Capri—and neither should you.
To sock or not to sock? It’s a personal choice and you can decide whether to wear socks with your shorts. Unless you’re wearing sandals, sock it! Ankle socks can help with foot odor and sweat and become your best friend.
So there you have it—a starting point on how to buy, wear and look fabulous in shorts this summer. Keep these guidelines in mind and you’re sure to score style points and look your best this summer!
