As a long-legged man, I tend to regard summertime with a little bit of dread. Once it becomes too hot for me to wear jeans every day of the week, I tend to struggle to find shorts that flatter my admittedly sticklike legs. Until recently, I was forced to take matters into my own hands, cutting up two pairs of old jeans into shorts with a 5-inch inseam (so that the material stops just below the pocket) in order to avoid a dissatisfying summer of wearing long shorts that didn’t flatter my best attribute.
Fortunately, men’s fashion has re-realized that the best a guy can look in the summer is dressing exactly like Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I. or Chevy Chase in Fletch! (probably thanks in no small part to some of Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor’s fits in Luca Guadagnino’s film Challengers [2024]). With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of 5-inch (or briefer!) shorts for the guy that’s not afraid of showing a little leg and feeling refreshed and breezy in summer’s hotter months.
Need some tops to pair with it? Try our favorite boxy tees.
J.Crew Stretch Chino Short
J.Crew has undergone something of a brand revitalization under Noah founder Brendon Babenzien. The Northeast vibe is still present, but the brand is no longer solely a gingham hookup. It’s been feeling more like a heritage brand passing a blunt to its former self through a sartorial time machine. The fits, craftsmanship, and collaborations are all turning heads. Overall, the new Crew is a hit. The brand is still a go-to destination for quality pieces at friendly prices. The stretch chino short, for example, is a great starting point for anyone who’s looking to invest in a shorter leg. It’s also 50% off right now.
Buy: $37.5
Todd Snyder Beachcomber Short
Slightly up the ladder from J.Crew is Todd Snyder. The Beachcomber pulls double duty as a dress short with belt loops … while barely revealing an interior drawstring and elastic waist. That’s versatility, friends. This is the summer for e-waist comfort, but I’m often reaching for a piece that can transition to a sweaty night out. The Beachcomber is an ideal midway between casual and smart. Essentially you’re getting two pairs of shorts in one—for a fairly decent price point.
Buy: $98
Nike DriFit Brief-Lined Running Shorts
Some days, you just need to keep it really casual. For the hottest days of the summer (or days where you’re not anticipating entertaining), a pair of Nike running shorts will do you just fine if you’re looking to stay cool and show a little leg while doing it. The nylon fabric is great for keeping you cool, even at the hottest parts of midday, and the zippered pockets ensure that no matter what you keep in there, it’s not falling out.
Buy: $75
Path Projects Sykes PX Relaxed Fit
It’s OK, not everyone feels like their best self in a lined short. Go ahead, get a little air up there. Here’s an unlined option: a minimalist running short that’s simple enough to wear with a tee, a Path Projects Wadi tank top, or an elevated camp-collar button-down. It looks great in black.
Buy: $58
Lululemon Steady State Short
The Cool Material team’s favorite no-sweat sweatshort. Supremely soft fleece with a relaxed, breezy fit. When you wake up disgruntled in August heat and your lizard brain craves fluffiness, only Steady State will do. You’ll get Lulu-pilled like the rest of us.
Buy: $78
