The Best Jean Shorts for Men This Summer

For some things, there is simply no middle ground. You either like it, or you hate it. Jean shorts, or ‘jorts’ as they’re pejoratively referred to – are quite possibly the best example of this. There is no Switzerland in this sartorial war. The lines are drawn, the trenches dug, and the arguments and counterarguments repeated ad-infinitum. It is one of those battles that, because it is so pitched, seems to be at a perpetual stalemate. What can’t be denied, however, is that through all of the derision and controversy, denim shorts have endured. Love it or hate it, every year, men’s fashion brands release yet more pairs of shorts, and, like clockwork, people show up to buy them. So long as folks are buying and selling these shorts, we figured we’d at the very least weigh in on what we believe to be the best options out there. Take a scroll through our best jean shorts for men guide and see which side of this fight you find yourself on.

What To Look For

Material: Like regular jeans, you want quality cotton denim. If you want a little more stretch with your jean shorts, then look for how much elastane is included in the material construction (1-2% is usually enough).

Inseam: This is more of a style choice; shorter options are definitely more in fashion right now (~ “5), but longer options are more reminiscent of that ’90s/early Aughts style.

Fit: If you’re looking for a more comfortable/chill pair of shorts, go for a relaxed fit and maybe something with elastane. If you’re on the bigger side, try to avoid slim-fitting shorts.

How to style jean shorts

What goes well with your shorts largely depends on the length, but they’re still more of a casual/streetwear option than anything else. Grab a graphic tee or a button-up shirt (and some sandals) for a great summer fit, or take it back to the ’90s with some longer shorts and a jersey. These are also great concert/festival options (likely a big reason they’re so in right now; more on that below), so a trusty pair of sneakers and a simple top is always a safe bet.

Why are jean shorts so popular right now?

Jean shorts got famous as DIY staples in the ’90s and were quite popular until sometime around the mid-2000s. Much like other trends in fashion, their status has ebbed and flowed over the years, and since the mid-2010s, jean shorts have been making a comeback. The most likely explanation for this is that it’s the perfect storm between this era of fashion’s love for nostalgia/Americana, and the rise of festival culture (think Coachella).

Jean shorts vs. cut-offs

While the two are very similar, you can probably guess what the key difference is. Not only do cut-offs have the classic messy hem, but they’re traditionally just jeans with missing legs. Do note that some companies may use these labels interchangeably, and they’re usually shorter than jean shorts.

Gap ’90s Loose Denim Shorts with Washwell

The Budget Pick: Kicking things off, we have these relaxed-fit jean shorts from Gap. Inspired by those classic ’90s shorts, this pair is made with 13 oz of rigid denim (5% of which is recycled), meaning it doesn’t have any stretch, which shouldn’t be much of a problem given the relaxed fit. Additionally, these shorts are a part of Gap’s Washwell program, an initiative the company began in 2016 to save water.

Levi’s 501 ‘93 Cut Off Jean 7” Men’s Shorts

The Best Cut-Offs: It would be weird not to include Levi’s in a list full of denim. The inventors of blue jeans, of course, have a bevy of different options when it comes to denim shorts. Our favorite pick among those is this par of ’93 cut-offs – the cotton fabric is cut and sewn into a straight fit and comes down right above the knee. These fit pretty true to size, so there is no need to do any guesswork when it comes to fit.

Dickies Garyville Denim Short

The Most Durable Shorts: Here we have a casual yet durable pick from the classic workwear brand Dickies. They have a regular fit and are made with durable denim, but also feature some workwear-inspired additions, like a hammer loop, a ruler pocket, and a front coin pocket. So if you’re looking for some utility with your style, then these may be the right shorts for you.

Madewell 8″ Denim Shorts in Medium Wash

The Sustainable Pick: Madewell prides itself on crafting quality denim and attire that’s sustainably made to last. This is backed by the label’s annual Do Well Report, which highlights exactly what measures were taken (in percentages). So you can feel good about grabbing the label’s denim shorts, which have a regular fit and are made with raw denim.

DU/ER Performance Denim Short

The Best Performance Shorts: DU/ER is all about comfortable mobility, which is perfectly captured in these denim shorts. They have a relaxed and stretchy fit, making them great for long/active days, which is supported by an antimicrobial treatment. The shorts have also been designed to be breathable on hot days, with moisture-wicking properties provided by the COOLMAX polyester.

Carhartt WIP Newel Short

The Best Shorts Overall: Carhartt’s WIP sublabel is always pumping out durable stuff with fashion in mind. That’s why these shorts are such a solid choice, as you’re getting something with modern style that’s stamped with Carhartt’s seal of approval. They’ve got a relaxed fit, a button fly, and metal rivets/stitching in the stress points.

Nudie Jeans Josh Shorts Black Ink

The Best Black Shorts: Since 2012, Nudie Jeans has been the opposite of many fast fashion brands out there; they place an emphasis on only using 100% organic cotton, providing living wages, and true sustainability overall. And these black denim shorts are no exception, as the rigid denim is made entirely with organic cotton and treated with stonewash, giving it an interesting marbling texture.

Todd Snyder 9” Classic Fit Selvedge Cut Off Jean Short

The Best Selvedge Denim Shorts: If you’re looking for a selvedge denim option, then Todd Snyder has you covered. They fit much like the label’s Classic Fit jeans, but have more room and rise a little higher. So you’re getting a comfy pair of shorts made with high-quality denim. The hem is frayed a bit for style and can be adjusted to your liking.

The Best Espadrilles for a Summer Outfit

You’ll likely be wearing your new jean shorts this summer, so you might want some more warm-weather options – like something from our best espadrilles guide.