Shorts have long ceased to be reserved only for the beach or the comfort of home. Today, the urban man uses them as part of everyday casual style. Still, it seems the world has forgotten where it all started and what the limits of decency are when wearing shorts in the warm season.
Are you a fan of elegance, but feel that shorts answer certain practical needs in summer? Find out in this article whether shorts are a useful compromise or not!
Shorts originally appeared for purely practical reasons. Over time, people noticed that the knee area was the first place where trousers wore out. By cutting the trouser legs above the knees and hemming the edge, they extended the life of their pants. The reason for this was primarily economic.
A variety of shorts that stop at the knees are called Bermuda shorts. Initially designed for the vacations of privileged Englishmen in the Bermuda Islands—hence the name—they were very popular in the 1930s and ’40s. In communist Romania, Bermuda shorts had a rather faded existence… but in the early 1990s, they came back into fashion, with hundreds of thousands sold. The question remains: are they acceptable for a stylish man?
Made from lightweight cotton fabrics, often with exotic colors and prints, Bermuda shorts were designed for the beach or other outdoor activities. Practically, they became a kind of tourist uniform worldwide. After 1995, fashion designers went so far as to create fine wool suits with trousers cut above the knee. Some public figures, such as the legendary Angus Young, leader of AC/DC, helped spread this trend, though it remains outside the bounds of convention.
Another variety of shorts is the three-quarter length trouser, launched in the 1950s and known locally as “fisherman’s pants.” Rediscovered by designers in the ’90s, some even proposed them as cocktail attire, paired with a suit jacket! But the success was never the same, proof that even today three-quarter pants or cargo pants (down to the ankles) are only acceptable for relaxing by the lake.
So, what can you do to beat the summer heat with finesse and refinement? Here are 9 guidelines:
- Do Not Follow the Example of AC/DC’s Frontman; Shorts Do Not Pair With a Jacket
- Avoid Denim Pieces With Frayed, Rug-Like Edges
- Opt for Shorts That End at the Knee
- Choose Solid Colors Like Beige, Khaki, or Navy, Without Palm Trees or Cows
- Prefer Shorts With Neatly Sewn Cuffs Wherever Possible
- Do Not Neglect Pleated Shorts for Extra Volume at the Waist
- If They Are Made of Wool, a Crease Down the Front Is Mandatory
- Limit Footwear to Loafers, Slip-Ons, Sneakers, or Boat Shoes
- Wear Shorts Only in Casual Contexts: Walks, the Beach, Picnics, or Hikes
In conclusion, even though shorts sit at the borderline between decency and kitsch, we can admit they are a necessary compromise in the hot season. They meet practical needs and, as long as they are chosen and combined tastefully, and worn only in the right context, you can be sure you’ll get noticed. Cheers!
