The best men’s shorts for the summer of '24
Get ahead of the heatwaves to come with our edit of the best shorts for a summer style leg-up
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Looking to do a Pedro Pascal and catch a breeze on those ever-toned knees? We've got you covered. Whilst most men look at shorts with far-flung memories of school uniforms and tube socks, the truth is that a thigh-baring pair of shorts can be a pretty major style move. With the mercury rising, now is the time to decide just how much leg you intend to exhibit and act on it with an investment in one of SS24's most standout styles.
From the itsy-bitsy denim cut-offs of Harry Styles to the retro running shorts of Paul Mescal and those more laid-back Bermudas of Justin Bieber, men's style icons have time and time again made their case for thigh-high bottoms. Not only are shorts an immeasurably more breathable, comfortable option than a pair of jeans or chinos, but they also provide plenty of opportunities to show off the results of all those lower-body workouts we've been fine-tuning our calves.
Especially popular for the new season were the big, bold Bermuda shorts being strutted down the runways. And, boasting over-the-top summery-ness, brands from Drake's to Gucci displayed statement softness that had us pining for a summer holiday.
Whether you love short shorts or are open to embracing a more fashion-forward wide cut, your knees will thank you for investing in a pair from our edit of the best shorts for men.
What are GQ's best shorts for men?
You'll find all the shorts worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are wearing this season:
- Best overall pair of shorts: Arket, £47 at arket.com
- Best budget pair of shorts: Dickies, £50 at dickieslife.com
- Best designer pair of shorts: Burberry, £520 at burberry.com
- Best cargo pair of shorts: Represent, £90 at uk.representclo.com
- Best casual pair of shorts: Reiss, £68 at selfridges.com
Uniqlo drawstring shorts | Percival Auxiliary white T-shirt
How do we select our favourite shorts?
So, how exactly do we choose what constitutes the best shorts for men in 2024? Simple. We know our stuff, we do our research, and we get out there to experience as many products as possible.
Our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends, Heidi Quill, is obsessed with clothes. Joining British GQ in 2021, Heidi might primarily look after clothing content, but she spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, checking product for the very best quality, price and design, all before recommending it to you. That includes knowing everything there is to know about what makes an excellent pair of shorts.
There's more to a good pair of shorts than you might initially think. To get the garment just right, you need to know what kind of vibe you're after, fabric, fit and feel. For our part, Heidi and our team of contributing writers and freelancers (Jessie Atkinson, Faye Fearon, and Adam Cheung) have considered all of the above to pick out the best of the best for you and your summertime 'fits, and have primarily chosen from brands — both high street and designer — that they've worn and loved before. Scroll on for their findings.
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1/13Best Overall Pair of Shorts
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: Black, beige, khaki (+1 more)
You can’t go wrong with a pair of mid-length black shorts – especially when they’re affordable and crafted with comfort in mind. Enter Arket’s latest design. Brought to life from a lightweight weave of linen, this pull-on style is as simple and effective as it gets: cut for a loose fit, elasticated at the waist, and stitched with pockets at the side and back. We suggest styling them with similarly muted black pieces for a classic monotone move. £47. At arket.com
2/13Best Budget Pair of Shorts
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: Beige, blue, black (+1 more)
Never has dad-core been so desirable. New Balance sneakers are getting the Pedro Pascal treatment, dad bods are becoming more widly known as a central tenement of the female gaze, and the coolest shorts are the slacks kind your own pops used to wear on holiday. Dickies’ ‘Pelican Rapids’ shorts have all of that energy down pat, so get in there while dadwear is cool: you’ll never have a comfier summer. £50. dickieslife.com
3/13Best Designer Pair of Shorts
- Fabrication: Polyester
- Sizes: XS-XXXL
- Colours: Beige
With even the most fleeting of glances at these check-emblazoned shorts you can deduce their origins. Set against Burberry's signature warm birch brown hue, these check shorts balance their heritage-inspired detailing with a youthful, skatewear-inspired knee-length cut. £520. At burberry.com
4/13Best Cargo Pair of Shorts
- Fabrication: Nylon blend
- Sizes: XS-XXXL
- Colours: Taupe, olive, black
From the fast-growing brother-founded Mancunian streetwear label, Represent, the 24/7 shorts are the thigh-high iteration of its best-selling technical cargo pant. Not only do they give off a serious sense of laid-back Los Angeles energy, as the name suggests, they'll serve you well 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including at the gym. £90. At representclo.com
5/13Best Casual Pair of Shorts
- Fabrication: Cotton blend
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Grey
The lower part of an optional two-piece (something we will always advocate buying in full for easy summer style), Reiss’ staple ‘Penbrook’ shorts radiate pure relaxation from top to hem. Emblazoned with a subtle jacquard design across their body, they fall to a mid-length and are fastened with a drawstring at the centre of their elasticated waist. Partnered with the matching short-sleeved shirt, you’ll look perfect for the poolside. £68. At selfridges.com
6/13Loro Piana
- Fabrication: Cotton blend
- Sizes: 44-58
- Colours: Beige, navy
Crafted from a luxury cotton and linen blend, Loro Piana’s latest offering in the shorts department aligns with the brand’s reputation for elevated menswear essentials. Simultaneously sartorial and sophisticated, they’re stitched with pleats at the top to create a sharply-tailored fall, and are fastened with a traditional hook, button and zip. £675. At mrporter.com
7/13Everlane
- Fabrication: Cotton blend
- Sizes: 28-38
- Colours: Stone, black, grey, navy (+3 more)
Among the many statement takes for SS24 there is, of course, always a place for those more classic short styles. Everlane's performance chino short is one such iteration we'll be adding to our rotation this year, boasting that oh-so-coveted blend of refinement and unrestricted comfort, care of a four-way stretch in the fabric, and sweat-wicking capabilities for those games of rounders in the park. £72. At everlane.com
8/13Drake's
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: 28-40
- Colours: Ecru, navy, olive (+1 more)
To those unafraid of embracing a pair of short shorts this summer, allow us to introduce this striking white design by Drake's. Known for bringing modern appeal to traditional Ivy League sporting pieces, this cotton-twill style has been structured with a mid-rise, side adjusters and single pleats at the front – all of which amount to a stunning, sartorially-inclined stance which will go a long way upon view. Keep the surrounding layers classic and well tailored for enduring appeal. £225. At drakes.com
9/13John Elliot
- Fabrication: Polyester
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Black, grey
Looking to serve a poolside statement? John Elliot has just the shorts for you if so. Reflecting the British designer’s flair for athletic pieces imbued with just the right amount of pizazz, this straight-leg design draws inspiration from vintage varsity styles: creatively translating to a stripe-framed silhouette with mesh inserts and leopard print panels down the sides. The style for those that dare. £200. At mrporter.com
10/13Cos
- Fabrication: Organic cotton blend
- Sizes: 44-54
- Colours: Navy, beige
Searching for a timeless pair of shorts which won't put a dent in your bank account? Cos is the place to visit, particularly for this classic chino style. Designed from an organic cotton with a touch of stretch (extra comfort points), they fasten with an organic corozo button and are detailed with welt pockets around the back. Simple and sustainably made, they're a brilliant purchase to make. £55. At cos.com
11/13Vilebrequin
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: S-6XL
- Colours: Beige, red, blue, white (+5 more)
On paper, linen and cargo just shouldn’t work, but Vilebrequin has shown us it absolutely does. With all the utilitarianism you’d expect from their length and pockets, the linen (and, indeed, the drawstring) totally offsets the overt masculinity of cargo shorts, making them a laid-back option for beach strolls, or more likely the park. £195. At vilebrequin.com
12/13Los Angeles Apparel
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: White, red, khaki, black (+12 more)
Harking back to old school gym shorts, this Los Angeles Apparel pair are pure nostalgia. Coming in a range of colourways, they can be played up to their full, school days potential with a polo and pumps, or can be mismatched with an Oxford shirt and boat shoes for a look that oozes effortless cool. When it comes to choosing, our pick has got to be the ultra-versatile cement hue. £38. At losangelesapparel.eu
13/13The Resort Co
- Fabrication: Organic cotton
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Navy, green, caramel (+1 more)
Thinking about the holiday wardrobe? A pair of Terry fabric shorts are the perfect piece to transition between swim shorts and something a tad more tailored for the evening time. You can think of them as summer's answer to the lounge-friendly jogger short, and with its matching polos and short-sleeve shirts, Scandi brand The Resort Co's are some of the best we've come across. £119. At theresortco.com
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