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Primer’s Complete Visual Guide to Men’s Shorts

Guide to Men's Shorts Proper Cloth Custom Dress Shirts
how men's shorts should fit
how men's shorts should not fit
patterns and fabrics for men's shorts
best shoes to wear with men's shorts
accessories to wear with men's shorts
ugly men's shorts
best shorts for men
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Andrew is the founder and editor of Primer. He's a graduate of American University and currently lives in Los Angeles. Read more about Primer on our About page.

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  • Max

    How about shoes for the summer that aren’t so expensive; maybe in the 30-40 range?

    I understand you’re paying for quality and all, but…anything above 90 seems overdoing it.

  • Steve

    @Max

    you can definitely find some canvas sneakers or slip ons for that price range. look around for some coupons or deals. i believe converse makes some in that range as well, maybe slightly higher but definitely not $90

  • chenry

    @Max

    Check Urban Outfitters. You can usually get some plimsolls there for 10-20.

  • http://www.primermagazine.com Andrew

    Hey Max,

    The great thing about these shoe styles is that they can be worn all year, not just in the summer. That makes paying more than $40 for a shoe more reasonable, but many of these you can find frugally like Steve and Chenry noted.

    I picked up my white canvas sneakers from Lands End Canvas when they were having a sale a few months ago. They were only $15, and the boat shoes are less than $60 I think. Shoe warehouse type places are always loaded with driving moccasins, so you can find an inexpensive pair for probably $40. Same for the plimsolls. The only style that might be hard to get a good looking pair on the cheap is the casual loafer. The one listed above is a bit out of my price range as well, but it’s a great looking shoe and hard to find alternatives.

  • Bob Downs

    The Mobile version of this post is chopped vertically. I can only see the left half. There’s no scrolling available.

    FYI

  • http://www.primermagazine.com Andrew

    Hey Bob, Thanks so much for letting me know, I’ll look into it.

  • Max

    Thanks for the responses! I’ll have to find one of these shoe warehouses in my area. I’m really digging the driving moccasin look. I just really want a shoe that’s OK to wear barefoot; I do not like wearing socks in the summer, and I like the whole “slip-on and go” style of those shoes.

  • http://www.bonobos.com/invite/abcd3fg15789 David

    Great suggestions. Especially the Sam Adams Summer Ale!

    And if anyone is on the fence for Bonobos, here’s the link for $50 off when signing up for their mailing list:
    http://www.bonobos.com/invite/abcd3fg15789

  • http://www.primermagazine.com Andrew

    Thanks David!

  • comfort fiend

    Nonsense. If the legs end more than three inches below the crotch, you are not wearing shorts, you are wearing mediums.

  • Marc Hedglin

    I feel If one is taller he can get away with having the shorts end a couple inches above the knee rather than just an inch above

  • http://www.primermagazine.com Andrew

    Hey Marc,

    I would say the taller you are the more important it is to NOT wear shorter shorts. Shorter shorts will emphasize more leg, making someone look even taller.

    There will always be fashionable gents that can pull off short shorts, but for the rest of us, I stick to the three lengths above.

  • Cory

    Great article! I’d like to share a word of warning, though – I recently bought two pairs of American Eagle’s prep-fit twill shorts (recommended in the article). After one wash I found that the shorts were wrinkled, and required ironing before I would even think of wearing them outside the house again. This may just be the “dude” in me, but I’m against the idea of having to iron anything that I would wear with a t-shirt.

  • http://www.primermagazine.com andrew

    Hey Cory,

    Thanks so much for the heads up. Definitely something to consider.

  • anotherjames

    GAP 8″ shorts work best for me and at an easy price. I’m 5’10″ so they are just above the knee.

    As for accessories – I also recommend Bell’s Lager for the hot nights on the back porch.

  • http://www.primermagazine.com Andrew

    AnotherJames, Awesome, I’ll have to check the 8″ out. Never had Bell’s Lager, I’ll have to see if I can find some around here.

  • OnlyShawn

    One can also wear some sockless suede bucks with shorts. It’s a little more of a preppy look, but works well. I have inexpensive blue suede ones from Bass, as well as slightly more expensive (but still not unreasonable, and easily found on sale), but noticeably more comfortable, pairs of Johnston & Murphy’s in brick red and grey nubuck.

  • http://www.thegasgrillreviews.com/blog Jim

    Man I can’t believe I used to wear those dangly jeans when I was in my teens. I would stay away from them like the plague!

  • http://thaddeustruth.com Bryan Jones

    This is a great article, especially since we’re in the midst of a severe heatwave. In these hot conditions, shorts have become as necessary as cold water.

  • Chris Mann

    I guess I wear shorts that are too short..

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  • riddly

    since you have encouraged me to comment- don’t wear shorts AT ALL if you have eczema, cheap tatoos that have no plan or artistic merit, or for any other reason that may not be pleasant to look at- good weather is not an excuse to cut the legs off an old pair of Jogging pants and display your pasty lower limbs to all and sundry. You live in a city, not on a desert island, good god man you look appalling!

    (from London).

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  • http://riyadionline.com mastahapu

    great article boz..!

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  • Tom

    Bobs got a good point

  • Jojomogir

    If your name is Chip or Standish, then this page is right on, otherwise use your own judgment.

  • http://www.facebook.com/theonlyCOOK Mike Cook

     what the hell? i wear shorts often, and never would i wear any of those shoes nor wear shorts that short or tight. why??? because if i am wearing shorts i am going on some sort of outdoor adventure that includes running, jumping swimming. etc. why in the hell would you wear restrictive clothing like that? shorts are for cooling off, too right? well there is no way in hell i would wear shorts like that to cool off not even at home, i think that they are just a little butt huggy and i am not gay. ooops i said it yup if your a rich gay yuppy you wear it, but 99% of america is not how bout you get real, Running shoes with a comfortable pair of shorts that are at least 2 inches below the knee with a little bag to hide your ass, then your talking, denim and nylon welcome, the rest can be used as kindling in some nice bonfire with a few brewskies in the cooler.

  • Haha

    2 inches below the knee? Might as well wear capris

  • Ryan

    I think the ‘too short’ picture just looks off because the legs are too skinny. If you’ve got some swole quads, show them off.

  • Chris

    Your “Everyday Chino Shorts” selection thoroughly violates your prior, arbitrary length restriction.

    I think they look good, like shorts of that length can.

  • Southern Prep

    Clearly writen by a northerner (no offense.) Those “too short” shorts are considered perfect length for a southern fraternity man. Anything below the knees or with cargo pockets are looked upon with shame down here.

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  • R

    come on, can we stop pretending plaid shorts are okay?
    at least provide the disclaimer that they are not to be worn with any other pattern… especially not more plaid.

  • Geja

    From a woman’s perspective: excellent article! I wouldn’t disagree with a thing.
    For those of you trying to reason your modifications to this article, just admit you’re different & you don’t fit, or want to fit, into the norm. Everyone is different & maybe you’ll find someone who adores your differences. If not, return & refer to the above article. :)

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  • jonathan

    @max

    i know this is late, but i find soludos to be a great shoe to wear with shorts, especially on a casual day out. And they are in your price range!

  • Zaf

    what abt the hair on the leg while wearing shorts? should it be trimmed or something ?

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  • mark

    what’s up with this east coast upper crust white boy look? America is far more diverse culturally today and people can bring different things to the fashion table. There are some good ideas here, but overall it is a bit toooooo white for my tastes. If I dress this way I would take on the name Chip or better yet, Taylor.

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  • http://dbakeca.com Dbakeca Italia

    very interesting, I did not know it’s a rule

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  • John Kay

    “How to dress like everybody else who is trying to dress like everybody else” should be the title of this heinous article.

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      What would be different if you did an article on it?

  • marvin nubwaxer

    who put anyone in charge as shorts police?

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