Until just a few years ago, wearing shorts in town was regarded as something of a bad look. In 2011, no less an authority on men’s style than Mr Tom Ford decreed that they, ‘should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach’. In stating this opinion, he seemed to be echoing the words of one of his predecessors, the couturier Sir Hardy Amies, who wrote in 1964 that a man should, ‘never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour’.
How things have changed, as shorts are back, and not of the baggy, cargo-pocket variety. On the men’s runways for Spring Summer 2018, suiting became a lot more summer appropriate. Take yourself back to the Nineties when Versace first decided to put a short suit down the catwalk, and then look at the current collections where the it appears to have come full circle. The shorter they were, the better, Gosha Rubchinskiy’s were micro-size versions of Adidas soccer shorts, while Kim Jones had the Louis Vuitton models walk in looks that paired leather shorts with shirts, changing the face of corporate dressing. Over at Dior Homme, Kris Van Assche stripped things right down to the crux of Dior’s roots. The traditional black suit and white shirt was given centre stage, but it sat alongside a new youthful energy, as he blended sportswear by way of short shorts with tailoring. He wanted the collection to harken back to the uniform of schoolboys and those short shorts paired with tuxedos certainly did that.
DIOR HOMME
While suiting is always a regular at the men’s shows, the short suit is a clear example of the ever-evolving nature of men’s fashion. No longer are shorts reserved only for sport or casual wear, so if you’re looking for summer suits, then the short suit provides an old school class with an innovative fresh style that is perfect for any summer occasion, and we show you how to pull it off with our comprehensive guide.
How to Wear Shorts with a Suit
When actually wearing a short suit, you must consider two important factors. Knowing your own body shape, as well as the fit of the short suit, is integral to making a summer short suit work. Unfortunately, the very nature of this outfit doesn’t suit every body type and can make you look like a school boy. To avoid this, a particularly tall and slender build is going to fit a short suit the best. However, if you do have a bigger build, make sure you buy a short suit that fits properly, as anything too baggy or tight will end up looking disproportionate. If you’re struggling to find a matching jacket and shorts for your short suit, there are other alternatives, either buy a pair of normal full-length suit trousers and have them shortened by a tailor, or see it as an opportunity to experiment with different combinations of shorts and jackets.
What Jacket to Pair your Shorts With
When it comes to deciding the type of shorts to wear with your short suit, a lot of it comes down to the jacket, as the jacket or blazer will still ultimately be the principle component of your outfit, and you will want to base the rest of your suit around this. As the short suit is almost definitely a summer outfit you will want to be wearing brightly coloured, light materials. A linen suit jacket is an obvious go to for this summer outfit, or you can alternatively experiment with vibrant colours and patterns. Once you’ve got your jacket it is important that you get a pair of shorts that complement the outfit as a whole. Despite what you may think, this doesn’t necessarily mean the shorts have to be the same colour, material, or pattern as your jacket. In fact, your outfit may even benefit from a mixture of styles.
How Long Should Shorts Be
In order to wear this trend in the most stylish way possible, it’s essential to get the length and width of your shorts correct. The hem of your shorts should sit just above your knee cap, and be no more than three inches above it. On the other hand, your shorts shouldn’t be too long either, and anything lower than halfway down your knee cap is probably going to be too long, and will ultimately make your legs seem shorter. As it goes, skinnier shorts are almost always going to look better in a short suit outfit, especially if you’re wearing a slim fit jacket. If you’re wearing a pair of loose fitting or casual shorts, not only will it take away the stylish balance of the suit, but it will make your legs appear skinny.
Shoes to Wear with Shorts
The first, and most important, thing to remember when finding a pair of shoes to go with your short suits is no socks, ever. In terms of what shoes to wear with a short suit there are many different options. Possibly the most classic choice would be a pair or black or brown leather Penny loafers. The uncomplicated and slick nature of the loafers looks great without any socks and adds a stylishly formal touch. If you’re not a fan of slip-ons, or require laces, then a pair of low cut brogues are a great addition to a short suit, although avoid wearing oxford shoes as these are likely to look too formal for the outfit and will disturb the perfect smart casual balance that the short suit brings.
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