Men’s Fashion: Basics of Shorts
Pants may be one of the most primary pieces in men’s fashion, but shorts are equally important pieces that every guy should master. You’re bound to encounter a day sooner or later when your pants will run out, or it’s too warm a day out for slacks. More versatile than a lot of people would imagine, shorts are a great style piece to jazz up your comfort level without sacrificing an inch of style.
A Long List of Shorts
Men’s fashion today makes use of many more fabrics than it did two or three decades ago to give you an exponentially wider range of options. Whether it’s colorfully printed or formally plain, there’s sure to be a pair on the market that can be paired to your needs.
Like with neckties and shirts, your collection should always start with the basics. It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of flat front cotton shorts in khaki or black – heck, get both colors if you can afford it. By keeping it simple and slim, you also maintain the dressiness and the versatility of the shorts. Never mind that they’re not pants; these two styles can be worn with a beat-up tee or a shirt and natty bow tie. They’ll still look cool either way.
Once you get bored with plain designs, you can move on to the next style step: patterns. Pencil stripes and shadow plaids are common patterns for shorts. They work because of their subtlety; you can only fully see them when you pay close attention, but they have enough visibility to be noticed at a glance. This makes them more formal than others.
Style Rules with Shorts
The right pair of shorts (read: similar to what we described above) can be worn with any piece ranging from a frayed college sweatshirt to a tailored shirt with a silk necktie. Even with the versatility of shorts, however, there are a few rules for you to follow.
First of all, beware the footwear. Not all shoe styles can be paired with a pair of shorts. In fact, formal shoes – brogues, wing tips and all their dressy brethren – are nigh impossible to wear with shorts without looking awkward. Sneakers and streamlined sports shoes (do not even think about cross trainers) are good ideas; driving shoes or loafers are would be even better. Deck shoes and desert boots can also give the outfit a bit of quirkiness.
Proportion is a crucial factor, no matter which style of shoe you choose for your shorts. If your shorts are slim to the point of leg-hugging, go with a similarly sleek shoe. Shorts with more relaxed fits call for shoes that have a bit more chunk to them, like skate shoes.
In the same vein, the silhouette of your top – with necktie or otherwise – should also jive with that of your shorts. Keep it consistent: a relaxed tee with relaxed shorts, a fitted top with a sexier pair. The patterns should complement each other, too. Pair a patterned or a printed top with solid shorts to keep some balance, or a solid top with printed shorts to keep the whole outfit from becoming too busy.
A lot of men unfortunately have very little fashion experience in handling shorts. You simply have to think about them as pants, only with about a foot of fabric lopped off.
Other Suggested Articles:
Guide to White Dress Shirts
Mens Smart Casual Attire
Your TieKing – Your Site for Designer Ties