The Only Guide on Shorts You'll Need This Summer
This week's issue of Unbuttoned dissects shorts, offering style inspiration, and insight into how to create effortless outfits with them.
If you are a first-time reader, here is a guide to the newsletter: Guide.
For the best reading experience, open this newsletter in your browser.
Garment of the Week: Shorts
TLDR
Shorts come in various lengths, fabrics, and styles, catering to different preferences. Embrace the resurgence of shorter shorts or opt for a 5-inch inseam or above-the-knee length. Choose minimalistic patterns or interesting designs for versatility. Lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and nylon are ideal. Jorts (jean shorts) are back and offer flexibility for summer outfits. Elevate your shorts ensemble with accessories like belts and sunglasses, and choose footwear that matches the occasion.
Style Guide
Shorts. It seems there's never enough in the wardrobe when summer rolls around and they are always way too long. I’m here to address both issues and give you some insight into how to style a summer staple.
History is fun, so here is a brief history of shorts:
Shorts have evolved over time from ancient loincloths to knee-length breeches. In the 20th century, shorts gained popularity as practical garments for military personnel in hot climates and gradually became accepted as casual wear. The mid-20th century saw the mainstream popularity of shorts due to increased leisure time and the influence of sports and outdoor activities.
Today, shorts are a staple of casual and sportswear, worn by people of all ages and genders. They come in various lengths, fabrics, and styles, catering to different fashion preferences and practical needs. The evolution of shorts reflects societal changes, shifts in fashion trends, and the increasing importance of comfort and functionality in modern clothing.
Now, how do we style shorts?
Length: Playing with the length of your shorts within outfits is one of the main ways to wear shorts with purpose; you either want them to be recognizably short or visibly below the knee. There’s is a reason we look to the past for styling frameworks, and the mindset with shorts is not at all different:
Leaning into the past in the instance of shorter shorts entails a very 70-80s aesthetic that has lately resurfaced. People back then simply wore shorter shorts.
A couple of studs in some tiny jorts 
Here is Tom Selleck rockin some very short shorts. Also Tom’s fits in magnum P.I. are just a great framework for summer outfits in general. Now, I’m not saying that your shorts have to be that short, but rather to lean into this resurfaced appreciation for the thighs. A good length to look out for is a 5 inch inseam (the length between the bottom of the short and the middle seam), or anything above the knee if this is too much for you. Athletic shorts are a great place to start with (more on this later). Remember, confidence will allow you to wear anything.
Wearing shorts that are intentionally longer is a much more niche topic that doesn’t apply to as many people so I will keep this portion brief. The best way to describe this subsect of shorts is through examples:
This outfit embraces the length and bagginess of the shorts by keeping other aspects relatively tame and unobtrusive. The shorts are so long that they almost look like pants from a distance.
Another very similar example of a well put together outfit that centralizes around a long and baggyish pair of jorts. The accessories, top, and shoes take a very minimalistic approach and allow the short to be accentuated, allowing for a purposeful inclusion. Pattern/Design
As much as the length of your shorts matter, what is actually on your shorts is arguably just as important. For me, I typically opt for simplistic designs or patterns on shorts to increase potential wearability.
Here is a pair that I own that outlines this minimalistic pattern approach well; the pattern is interesting enough to be a standout piece in an outfit but quiet enough to be paired with a louder top or footwear choice. (FYI these are my dads swim trunks from the 90s that I just cut the liners out of. In terms of actual designs/ prints/ embroidery on shorts I typically would stay away from buying them because they aren’t the most flexible in terms of variability within multiple outfits but there are some exceptions when the design is interesting enough. Here are examples of both:
Interesting design and very minimal; can be worn with multiple outfits and even used as a statement piece. These are dope. Side note: Bode is another extremely good source for inspiration. 
This is an example of what NOT to buy; design is pretty uninteresting and thus has no place being on your shorts that could make an outfit look very unorganized.
Material: When it comes to fabrics, choose materials that are lightweight and breathable. Cotton, linen, nylon, or blends are great options that offer comfort and versatility. Experiment with different colors, patterns, and textures to express your personal style. (Honorable mention: corduroy shorts)
It is all about functionality; buy your shorts based on your needs:
If you are hiking/swimming, look into nylon shorts. They are a lighter material that dries fast and typically offer a more durable shape that will mold to how you wear them over the years. Good nylon shorts will last you.
Here I am wearing a pair of Patagonia Baggies that I have had for a couple years. They look great, feel amazing to walk around in, and I don’t have to worry if I end up jumping in the water with them. Athletic Shorts are another great option that most of you are probably used to by now. Look for shorts in this category that stray away from logos and assume a monochromatic color-scheme with less technical elements that make them seem like you just came from the gym. You want shorts that you can wear both to the gym and with a collared shirt.
Lululemon, although rather pricey, is a great example of this. These Bowline shorts look almost linen but they are stretchy, have 2 hidden zipper pockets, and can most definitely be worn to the gym. Formal Shorts (I am not talking about chinos from dockers) are another relatively unexplored option for most people. It seems almost silly to take the comfortable element out of shorts but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Options like linen shorts allow you to dress up the garment while still opting for a very breathable short option. @brotherwiththebeard on IG is a fantastic example of this.
Here is a great example of a flowy pair of striped linen shorts paired with a camp collar shirt that allows for a more formal look while keeping the wearer cool. Jorts (jean-shorts). We have to talk about them; they are back (they were never gone). I love jorts and you should too. They offer the effectively effortless matching nature of jeans in a form that is perfect for the summer. Yes, your first couple of jorts wears will feel strange and you will likely wonder if people are judging you (who cares). But after a while you will realize that jorts are one of the most flexible pairings for any summer outfit (they can be worn with literally anything you would pair with a jean and more. And the best part is: you can make them. Have a pair of jeans that is too shorts on your ankles? Cut them. Even finding a pair at the thrift and chopping them up is a great option, and the best part is that you control the inseam.
Some other things to consider when styling shorts:
Accessories: Smaller details play a key role in enhancing your outfit, especially with the limited coverage of shorts. Consider adding a nice belt to define your waistline and add detail. Accessories like sunglasses, a watch, a bag, or a hat can also elevate your overall look and reflect your individuality.
A perfect summer shorts look loaded with accessories. Footwear is another important aspect to consider. Depending on the occasion, sneakers, mules, or loafers can complete your shorts ensemble. Opt for footwear that matches the level of formality you desire, while keeping comfort in mind.
Ultimately, styling shorts is about embracing your own unique style and comfort. Don't be afraid to experiment, mix and match different elements, and find what makes you feel confident and true to yourself. Remember, fashion is about self-expression, so make your outfits reflect your personality and individuality.
Where/How to buy
The best thing about shorts is that no particular brand holds a monopoly over any of the genres. Thus, it makes the search for them a little more widespread and easier to find unique pairs. Here are a couple of my personal favorites:
$$$ (100+)
To be honest, I don’t think anyone should be spending over a hundred dollars on shorts. But if you insist on it, at least consider these.
(Retail)
Duo Waffle Shorts | Bode ($430)
(Retail)
Lace Linen Basketball Short | Aime Leon Dore ($283)
$$ (50-100)
This is really the price range where you will find a lot of the quality shorts in. However, before buying them new, I suggest that you scour the landscape of secondhand markets that is eBay, Depop, Grailed, and Mercari before you purchase them new. These shorts are typically made to last and buying them secondhand can save you a lot of money. Here are my favorite options in this price range:
(Retail)
Men's Baggies Shorts 5" | Patagonia ($65)
Patagonia Baggies have been around for so long and a list of must-buy shorts cannot be completed without them. Yes, they are expensive, but holy shit they are so worth it. If there is one pair of shorts that you must buy from this list, these are them. Swimming, hiking, beach days - you name it, this is the perfect pair of shorts. They come in a multitude of colors (I own 3 pairs) and come with a liner that I typically cut out. They mold to how you wear them over time and look great with everything. Buy.
(Retail)
Bowline Short 5"Woven | Lululemon ($78.00)These are expensive but awesome; the best and most minimalist shorts that Lululemon makes in my opinion.
(Retail)
5" stretch chino short | Jcrew ($69.50)
These are relatively inexpensive and do a great job of mimicking the style of 70s-80s chino shorts. They come in a variety of colors.
$ (Under 50)
This section will be filled with some vintage options (other than the first pair) that I found with simple searches on eBay with keywords such as “90s”, “nylon”, and “5 inch inseam”. If you like these options, eBay is your limitless source for a lot more.
(Retail)
Ultra Stretch DRY-EX Shorts 5" | Uniqlo ($29.90)
Uniqlo keeps coming up in these cheaper sections because they are just so good. At under $30 these shorts are amazing. Very minimal in terms of seams and this off-white pair almost looks like a pair of linen shorts with the right outfit. They have a zip pocket in the back and have a sweat-wicking stretchy construction. I have the off-white and black pair.
(Vintage/Secondhand)
Umbro Mens Shorts Green Size XL | eBay ($24.99)
(Vintage/Secondhand)
90s nylon shorts size L | eBay ($46.80)
(Vintage/Secondhand)
Carhartt Denim Carpenter Shorts Men's Size 32 | eBay ($23.99)
What I picked up this Week
Steals from the internet
Random links to items that I love:
U Drawstring Shoulder Bag | Uniqlo ($39.90)
I’m gonna keep pushing this bag; I just got one, it is an essential.
Vintage 90s Jazzman Sportswear Polo Shirt Mens XL | eBay ($10.54)
Vintage Derus Glass Works Brown Snapback Trucker Hat | eBay ($12.82)
Vintage Patagonia Double Knee Pants 33x32 | Depop ($40)
I love helping people find secondhand garments at a steal price, leave a comment for other items you want to see in this section.
If you made it all the way down here, thank you. Tune in for more cool stuff.
Thanks for reading Unbuttoned! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
This is dope homie, jorts inbound!