How to Wear Shorts and What to Wear with Them: Fashion for Short Men

Sometimes, your legs just need to breathe. But just because you decide to go with a great pair of shorts doesn’t mean you can’t continue to be stylish. It’s all about knowing what to wear with shorts and how to style them for the best combination of comfort, fit, and fashion.

First, not all shorts are created equal. They come in a wide range of fabrics and fits, with some looking more messy, some more stylish, some more dressy, and some more casual. Chino shorts, in particular, are a great choice for short men, since they can be worn both casually and when occasions call for something a bit more put-together. Chino short material is strong and durable enough to hold up to everything you might throw at it, and the fit tends to be more structured than, say, athletic shorts. If you’re only going to have one or two pairs of shorts in your wardrobe, chinos should be the go-to.

How Shorts Should Fit Short Men

Fitting shorts for short guys isn’t exactly an easy thing — we know your pain. But there are a few basics to keep in mind when choosing a pair of shorts to ensure you look great while enjoying warmer weather.

First, height absolutely factors into how a pair of shorts fit — you don’t want to wear short shorts that don’t leave much to the imagination, but you also don’t want your shorts to be overly long. A good rule of thumb is to look for a pair that falls between mid-thigh to just above the knee. To find your best-fitting pair of shorts, explore our collection of shorts for short men.

Second, you’ll want a shorts fit that is comfortable, but not too loose. Most of the time, a tighter short fit comes across as more stylish, while a looser fit is more casual, so you’ll want to find a great pair of chino shorts that straddles that line. The shorts waist should be fitted to your body, but shouldn’t be tight, and the leg, ideally, should be a bit tapered to help streamline the look. Finally, while cargo pants and pockets are certainly convenient, you should look for a pair of shorts that doesn’t have a huge number of oversized details, since it can look busy and less stylish.

One great example of shorts for short men that hit all the right notes is the True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Shorts from Ash & Erie. They are designed with short men in mind, so you don’t have to wonder if the inseam will be long and baggy, or short and trashy — you’ll always know you’re going to get just the right fit.

How to Style Shorts: Fashion for Short Men

Now that you have shorts that fit, it’s time to style them. For most men, casual situations are going to be the most frequent times shorts are grabbed, but casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy. Here are a few different ways to style shorts depending on what you’re doing.

1. Pair shorts with a fantastic button-down shirt
For a rustic, casual-but-stylish appearance, grab one of your button-down shirts to pair with your chino shorts. You can wear a t-shirt as the bottom layer or just wear the button-down alone, and feel free to leave a few more buttons undone than usual — in fact, you can get away with as many as three top buttons left undone, and you can even undo the bottom one or two buttons and still look great. You can certainly go with short sleeves here — given it’s probably warm if you’re grabbing a pair of shorts — but you can also go with a light- weight long-sleeve option with the sleeves rolled up for a casual look that doesn’t feel rushed. The Faded Brick Oxford Wrinkle Free Shirt is a perfect example of a button-down shirt that can easily be paired with any chino shorts for a fashionable look that doesn’t require any effort at all.

2. Pair shorts with a t-shirt
Of course, you don’t have to grab the button down if you’re looking for the ultimate in casual wear with your shorts. A t-shirt alone is a great choice, as long as it fits well and isn’t too long. Play with colors or patterns to create a unique style that will be cool and comfortable all day long.

3. Pair shorts with a light-weight jacket
If you’re planning to be in and out of buildings where the temperature could go from hot to cold, or if you’re planning to head into the office for a few minutes, you might want to pair your chino shorts with a light-weight jacket, which has the added benefit of making the look feel a bit more dressed-up than a t-shirt alone would. In fact, you can combine this jacket with the button-down shirt — wear the button down open over a t-shirt, and don’t roll up the sleeves to achieve this look without sacrificing comfort.

4. Style shorts with loafers
Most of the time, you’re probably going to pair your chino shorts with your favorite sneakers, but if you plan to pop into the office or to a more formal occasion, a better choice is a great pair of loafers. They are still casual enough to not be out of place paired with shorts, but they absolutely are a bit more professional.

5. Color coordinate your shorts
Don’t get us wrong, we love a good pattern or color — in our shirts. But for chino shorts, you’ll want to stick with a more neutral base. For men’s shorts, stick with colors that can be easily paired with any shirt color or pattern in your closet for the most versatility. For example, the Ash & Erie Smoke Grey Lightweight Stretch Chino Shorts are designed to be an almost perfect neutral — it doesn’t matter what color your shirt is, or how crazy you go with patterns on top, these shorts will pair perfectly for effortless style.

Just because the weather is heating up doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your style. Chino shorts for short men are the perfect blend of fashion and comfort, and when worn correctly they’ll fast become a summer favorite in your closet.