Besides enjoying a hot summer day with friends or family, wearing the right outfit for that braai or shisanyama would be to wear the right pair of men’s shorts.
These are a summer wardrobe staple and we’re going to share why, throughout the ages, shorts have been a firm favourite every summer. From the original military-style cargo shorts to the super short 70s shorts and to today’s more versatile relaxed styled men’s shorts that literally go with everything and anything. Three key points; they are comfortable, easy to wear and ideal for hot days.
Men’s Shorts - A Summer Wardrobe Staple
Why are men’s shorts such an essential for your summer wardrobe? Where did they originate from? And, how do you wear them? Let’s take a look.
A brief history of shorts
Shorts first made their way officially into casualwear in the 1930s for athletic and outdoor activities.
Shorts go way back and originated in the 1880s, as an element of military uniforms. Cargo pants were especially common for the military, thanks to their utility. During the post-war years of the 60s, homemade denim shorts, short-shorts and more revealing, tighter-fitting styles soon began to make their way into summer fashion. Materials like terry-cloth and polyester came into play as shorts began to take centre stage as an integral part of the fitness apparel movement, all these aspects taking shorts into the mainstream and a very acceptable item in one's wardrobe. Making them even more acceptable were basketball legends Dr J and Larry Bird and tennis stars Björn Borg and John McEnroe. Tiny gym shorts became a big thing in the 70s. Then as trends changed, shorts started getting longer and towards the end of the 80s, the length of shorts had them in-tune with other sports like basketball, the skater lifestyle and grunge. Shorts then progressively got longer, and more baggy in the 90s. Today, shorts are a staple across athleisure and street style looks, with a huge variety of styles and lengths available.
When (and how) to wear shorts
As dress codes continue to relax, this has made shorts acceptable for everyday wear and even office attire in some companies.
Dressed up or down, shorts are surprisingly versatile. That’s not to say that shorts are a good choice for every single occasion. As a general rule of thumb, shorts are a good choice in any environment with a slightly more relaxed dress code. Some clubs and establishments have a strict no-shorts policy, so if you are going to a golf, tennis or racing club, enquire as to their dress code before you arrive. If you are able to wear shorts, you can dress them up with golfers and blazers and loafers or dress them down with a t-shirt, a pair of low-tops or sandals and a light track jacket.
Choosing your shorts
Studio 88 offers a well selected, seasonal range of shorts. Selecting your shorts comes down to a few preferences.
Length, fit, fabrication and style are the most important things to consider when choosing shorts for an occasion or activity. Cargo shorts are always a versatile, flattering choice for leisure events. Some shorts are better kept for the gym, others are for the beach.