The Evolution of Men's Shorts

Shorts originated in the 1890s as 'knee pants' for boys and served as the foundation for academic and scout uniforms. Roughhousing and stumbling over would result in ripped knees if a guy wore full-length pants. When a boy reached the age of maturity, he was supposed to cease wearing shorts and start wearing pants.

This was altered during WWII. To deal with the heat, troops in tropical locations began wearing shorts. They are notably shown in portrayals of the British Eighth Army, popularly known as the 'Desert Rats,' in North Africa from 1940 to 1943. Shorts were also worn on the battlefield by the German Afrika Korps, the Italian army, and the Free French troops.

When soldiers returned to civilian life following the war, it was only a period before shorts became the standard. Shorts became appropriate in informal contexts in warmer regions by the 1950s, with main heroes of the period like John Wayne capitalizing on the new fashion.

Selecting Colors and Patterns in Men's Shorts

Best shorts colors

Blue colors range from navy to light blue. It's a versatile hue that works nicely with the heat. A traditional pairing would be blue chino shorts with a casual white button-down.

Brown shorts are frequently mistaken for khakis. It's a classic, straightforward hue with a lot of adaptability. Khakis are also a popular choice for somewhat more formal occasions.

Gray is a neutral hue that goes with everything. You may also choose from various colors ranging from black to light gray.

Lime, mint, lavender, and salmon are examples of ultra-casual hues. They are pretty adaptable but attract more attention than their more conservative counterparts above.

Before diving into brighter hues, make sure you have a good base in blues, grays, and browns. You can also shop for men's lacrosse shorts to wear whether playing, practicing, chilling out with the team, or just doing your solo thing.

Best shorts patterns

Extra visual detail in men's shorts (or another garment) will decrease your ability to coordinate patterns in apparel. When used appropriately, they may offer some flare, but approach with caution.

The most frequent are solid shorts. Because there are no patterns, you may afford a more aggressive design on your selected shirt or even busier footwear like tassel loafers.

Stripes are available in a variety of sizes and combinations. Seersucker weaves are distinguished by thin, alternating stripes that are recognized by many names based on the time and employment of the wearer. A navy blue striped seersucker, for example, was known as Hickory Stripe in the old west.

Checks are a pattern of horizontal and vertical stripes that create a square. Their density varies greatly. Shorts with traditional checked patterns, such as Pane of glass and Prince of Wales, are readily available.