Able to be dressed up or down to suit the occasion, tailored shorts are a capsule wardrobe essential. Helping to maintain your sartorial standards as the mercury rises, the ideal pair will fit perfectly at the waist, be cut slim (not skinny) through the thigh, finish an inch or so above the knee and be crafted from a breathable, summer-ready fabric.
To help you find your ideal pair, check out our edit of this season’s best tailored shorts.
1. J.Crew 9″ Stanton Short In Irish Herringbone Linen
Despite being crafted from soft Irish linen, these shorts by J.Crew are cut slim for a clean, tailored silhouette.
The light natural shade is ideal for the summer, while traditional trouser detailing – belt loops, zip fly, side pockets and clean seams – keeps things the right side of refined.
Available at J.Crew, priced £75.
2. Hentsch Man Blue Hawaiian Newport Short
This slightly retro blue and white pair by British menswear label Hentsch Man are cut slim, crafted from 100 percent cotton and feature an exclusive Hawaiian print, lending them a sense of vintage cool.
Try wearing with a navy linen shirt for a relaxed daytime look.
Available at select Hentsch Man stockists, priced £100.
3. ASOS Smart Skinny-Fit Shorts
ASOS’ in-house brand has become a go-to for well-designed contemporary garments at affordable prices, and its shorts are no exception.
This skinny-fit pair incorporates a touch of elastane for comfort and come in a rich shade of red – perfect for breathing life into your smart summer ensembles.
Team with a plain white polo shirt and neutral loafers to let the shorts do all the talking.
Available at ASOS, priced £22.
4. COS Tailored Cotton Shorts
Part of Cos’ collaborative capsule collection with Mr Porter, these aubergine-hued shorts will bring a touch of Scandinavian simplicity to your warm-weather wardrobe.
Designed for the man on the move, they are crafted from high-quality cotton for comfort and versatility, with sharp front creases and slanted pockets adding a formal feel.
Wear with a slim-fit shirt and linen blazer for a super-slick look.
Available at Mr Porter, priced £69.
5. Marks And Spencer Linen-Blend Dogtooth Shorts
If it’s a longer length and slightly more relaxed silhouette you’re after, look no further than this linen-blend pair by Marks & Spencer.
Coming in a regular fit and finishing in line with the knee, these shorts will ensure you stay comfortable and cool as the mercury rises, with the understated dogtooth print perfectly complementing a crisp button-down.
Available at Marks & Spencer, priced £29.50.
6. Mango Side-Tab Cotton Bermuda Shorts
This season, Mango brings us the perfect pair of business-casual shorts for those sunnier working days.
The brand’s Bermuda design combines all of the formal details you would expect – front creases, slanted pockets, belt loops and side tabs – with a soft cotton fabric, for a comfortable yet suave finish.
Available at Mango, priced £39.99.
7. Suitsupply Blue Shorts
We’re getting a strong retro vibe from this pair of cotton shorts by Suitsupply, with their brace buttons, miniature pocket and sleek flat front taking us back to summers of years gone by.
To complete the throwback aesthetic, we’d team them with a simple knitted polo shirt, leather deck shoes and a pair of tortoiseshell shades.
Available at Suitsupply, priced £89.
8. Topman Lux Grey Melange Shorts
High street retailer Topman has released its new ‘Lux’ collection, with SS15’s line exploring a “tailored casual aesthetic”.
These sharp grey shorts fit the bill perfectly, coming in a slightly longer length yet retaining a smart, contemporary shape. Plus, the airy grey shade will match with just about anything in your current wardrobe.
Available at Topman, priced £40.
9. Paul Smith ‘Backing Cloth’ Print Chino Shorts
Do neutral shorts bore you? Then look no further than this artistic pair by Paul Smith.
Drawing inspiration from New York’s art and street scene of the seventies and eighties, these colorful shorts are the perfect style statement for the more adventurous sartorialist and will transition effortlessly from day to night.
Available at Paul Smith, priced £125.
10. Acne Adrian Slim-Fit Cotton-Blend Twill Shorts
Deep green may not scream summer, but this cotton-blend pair from Acne Studios will bring a subtle touch of color to any warm-weather ensemble.
Worn with a plain T-shirt or smartened up with a matching blazer, these bottle-green shorts will stand out just enough at that all-important summer event or prove themselves worthy for a daytime stroll in the park.
Available at Mr Porter, priced £120.