A Kiwi blokes guide to buying shorts

Summer is creeping in so men across the country are dusting off the golf clubs, cleaning the barbeques, planning weekend fishing trips and giving the back yards a bit of a chop. But there is something else that needs attention – ensuring your summer wardrobe is ready for the start of the golden weather. Kiwi blokes need plenty of shorts; a simple item, but one that needs to be the right shape, style and fabric in order to keep you looking sharp.  Nicola Reilly, designer of Elusiv menswear, gives a few pointers…

There are many types of shorts, but being a man you are very likely to buy only a couple each season, so make sure you buy the right ones that will suit your body, age and lifestyle to get longevity out of your choices.
Look for:

Length

Almost every length of shorts has been in fashion at some stage, but the most flattering length for shorts is to cover the kneecap, avoiding ones cut off any higher unless they are for a special purpose; that way you can look to the shape and the way it fits over your legs for further decisions. If you are going to be moving around in the shorts a lot, working up a sweat or tramping, choose shorts that will give you more room.

Style

When trying on shorts, keep the front, let the fabric sit against your thigh, and avoid pockets/pleats on the front thigh of the short.

Comfort

The most important thing when looking for shorts is to find ones you feel comfortable in – because the more comfortable the short the more confident you will be in them.

Fabric

Shorts come in many different fabrics, from natural to manmade. Each has its pros and cons – but there are some rules of thumb. Usually the more cotton content the shorts have, the more comfortable and the more relaxed fit they are. Depending on the mix, most cotton shorts will wear with you, be soft, breathe, machine washable and get better with age. Cotton drill blends are generally a stiffer fabric, which is good for a more formal look, but need a little extra care when washing and drying and often need to be ironed to look their best. Denim shorts are a great option; they have been around for a long time and remain a strong hold in a summer wardrobe.

Colour

Stick to versatile neutral colours for your shorts – that way you can make a statement with another part of your ensemble, like a tee or shirt. Shades of grey/navy/olive and brown are always a good base. Light coloured shorts can be a great part of an outfit if worn right, but often require more attention to keep clean.

Detail

Domes, rivets, pockets, zips, stitching; there is a seemingly endless number of options as far as detailing on your shorts is concerned. So consider practicality (eg. a zipped pocket for carrying your wallet around the beach), safety (eg. no dangling chains or parachute pulls if you are going to be biking) and your personal style (eg. got a rocker thing going on? Zips, domes and rivets are going to let you express yourself through your clothing).

 

Tips on Shorts

1. With shorts, shoes can make or break your look. Best rule of thumb is wear shoes without socks (or socks you cannot see) like a sneaker or street shoe, dressy sandals or loafers. If you want to keep it simple, you cannot go wrong with a pair of good old jandals.
2. Wear your shorts with a t-shirt for casual occasions or dress them up with a polo or smart shirt.
3. Avoid shorts that have pleats in them unless you are wearing your grandpa’s old shorts to play golf. Pleats should be kept a secret.
4. Don’t wear old jeans rolled up or cut short -  stick to a nice pair of proper denim shorts.
5. Don’t wear patterned shorts with a patterned shirt. Chose one to be plain, the other to be patterned.
6. Go easy on the pockets, or come to that, any detailing. Subtle detail is key.
7. Don’t wear swimming board shorts if you aren’t near the water.