Thighs Out, Boys: Short Shorts for Men Are Back This Summer

Now, you’re likely wondering: Which men’s shorts are we talking about, exactly, and… how short? I’m so glad you asked. All shorts! And all of them, growing shorter. The resurgence is coming from all directions, stemming from sports but also dominating the runway (see: the “casual extravagance” of Tom Ford’s short shorts). As VICE's Casey Johnston recently reported, “Men’s Health editor Brett Williams [recently] wrote about the burgeoning trend among athletes and celebrities to amply display one’s gams, whether they were snapping a pic for social media (The Rock and Julian Smith) or casually going about their day, like Milo Ventimilgia, who caused a stir with his tucked-up shorts.” As Johnston watched March Madness, she says she “took ample notice of thought leader and Texas Southern guard Michael Weathers tucking his already scant shorts up into, seemingly, the legs of his boxers as he played, potentially so they wouldn’t encumber his movement [...] Dare I say we are going diaper mode for summer?” Bring it. 

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Twilight Split Shorts, $52 at Tracksmith

Don’t drown those ham hocks under 12 inches of viscose, baby. Draw up the polyblend curtain, and put those McNuggets on parade:

PHOTO: OUTDOOR VOICES

High Stride 5" Short, $68 at Outdoor Voices

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Cors Local Short, $62 at Katin

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Russell Athletic 1980s Deadstock Gym Shorts, $25 at Etsy

The energy is aerobic John Travolta in Perfect (1985), tossing his bosna around in micro-short sweats, while Jamie Lee Curtis’ eyes schloop out of her head. It’s young Sean Connery on a sailboat. The list goes on, in this *muah* KQED article on the men’s short shorts. It was published in 2018, begging for a public resurgence (and it's here, baby).

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Kore Short 5", $68 at Vuori

So now that men’s short shorts have gone more mainstream, who is buying? According to my own stupid Instagram poll (of some 100 responses), people of all genders were for short-shorts on dudes, with 86 percent of participants smashing “pro,” and just 14 percent pleading “no.” The latter cited mostly diaper butt/adult baby energy and cringe styling as the deterrent. Which I kind of get. But also, GEDDOUTTAHERE! This is not the NY Post (who recently called the shorts “dangerous”) and it’s weird pseudo-body shaming, and we’re absolutely not here for that, ever, especially not now that we’ve got that one-pump J&J coursing through our veins, ready to return to The Bar. Give us the short shorts!

PHOTO: DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

Patagonia Men's Baggies 5" Shorts, $55 at Dick’s Sporting Goods

None of this [licks monocle] may come as much of a surprise to you. The micro-shorts renaissance is not an isolated 1970s trend resurgence; Lately, groovy mustard yellow sheets have been giving the minimalist, 2016 millennial pink aesthetic some big competition, with color and trend forecasting experts citing the more community-centric connotations of the shade, and the era, as reason for its renewed popularity. The 1970s was a time of huge sociopolitical and cultural upheaval, from gay rights to second-wave feminism, as well as the peak of the Black power movement. If the 1960s was the dawn of the mini skirt, then the 1970s and 80s saw the rise of The Pill, women’s sports (plus, the rise of televised games), and micro-shorts for all. They reached their polyester zenith in the 1980s as hunnies of all creeds were rolling skating, bodybuilding, and letting their body hair grow with a new, groovy sense of purpose. So, yeah. Can’t wait to see a paparazzo pic of Harry Styles wearing some micro-shorts in SoHo come July. 

District Vision Black Simon 3" Race Shorts, $75 at SSENSE

If and when you decide to cross over to the Magnum, P.I. side of summer 2021, we welcome you. Take your time. Browse deadstock surfer and skate brands at your local thrift shop, and keep your heart open to the endless possibilities that men’s short shorts can offer not only at the beach, but in the garden, the drive-in theater, the morgue, the chill park date hang—we could go on. The list, unlike the seam, is infinite. 

Men's Casual Sports Slim Shorts, $23.55 $13.19 at LightInTheBox

They’re hip, they’re happenin’, and they scream “my parents own a seafaring vessel.” (In a good way.) 

Goodthreads Men's Slim-Fit 5" Inseam Flat-Front Comfort Stretch Chino Shorts, $25 on Amazon

If you don’t hit a split on the dance floor this summer, who will? Not someone with baggy, restrictive shorts, that’s for sure. After all, it's up to you to save the party. (You might want to have a surgeon on standby, though.)

DIOMOR Athletic 3'' Inseam Bodybuilding Shorts for Men, $7.99 at Amazon

Look at that drawstring—it’s perfect for easy access during your slutty, vaxxed summer. They also come in a variety of dope colors. Just ignore the model hitting the “you know I had to do it to ‘em” pose. 

Goodthreads Men's Slim-Fit 5" Inseam Pull-on Comfort Stretch Canvas Short, $25.90 at Amazon