It’s just a matter of time… I love the shorts season.
For me, I’ve gotten to the point where I have a refined collection. I buy what I like and have them tailored to the right inseam. While this is annoying, it protects my investment. There’s nothing worse than seeing a pair of shorts in the drawer that are too long/too wide/etc. and know that I’ll never wear them. So I fix them. And the situation.
As we head into the 2025 shorts season, here are my picks. While they may need a little love from the tailor around insteam, focus on the right waist size and you’ll be ready to rock:
From top left:
1. Duck Head Gold School Shorts: The standard 7″ shorts. Great fit, easy style, and the iconic gold Duck Head tag above the back right pocket.
2. Peter Millar Seersucker Performance Shorts: Performance seersucker may be the new way to rock. Pair it with a solid shirt. Let these shorts (and their texture) be the star of the show.
3. Holderness & Bourne Harwood Performance Shorts: Mellow yellow… These operate as hybrid shorts, so you are good to go if you get thrown in the pool.
4. Pennbilt Club Shorts: My favorite shorts on the market. The cotton is as soft as it gets, they wash extremely well, and the colors are just right. I hem to a 15.5″ outseam.
5. The Sporting Gent Ridge Shorts: Hard-working shorts. The canvas weave gives them some scruff. Don’t be afraid to beat these to death.
6. J. Crew 5″ Portsider Shorts: Great 5″ off-the-rack options. And they are on sale!
7. J. McLaughlin Ikat Shorts: Keep a pair of fun shorts in the drawer. Pair these with a white polo and bit loafers, and you look like the smartest guy in the room.
8. Sid Mashburn Garment Dyed Twill Shorts: Sid figured out the fabric on these twills. They keep their shape but have just the right amount of fade. They get cooler as they age. Like me.
9. Patagonia 5″ Stand Up Shorts: I’m not saying we are responsible for Patagonia re-introducing these, but we were pretty loud. Anyway – WE’RE BACK, BABY!
What did I miss?
Excellent list. I would add the Staple Shorts from Onward. A very soft cotton option with just enough stretch.
Great news on the stand ups coming back. I just ordered a pair!
It would be hard for me to make a list like this and not include PRL shorts. Even with the 1% stretch they have now, they are continually the best shorts out there.
Agreed, and the have a 7″ inseam available OTR this year. My only ding (and it’s a small one) is the Polo pony logo on the back. They hold up incredibly well.
Ya, I have had some pairs for 10 years and they are only more comfortable.
I definitely liked when they used the white rectangular patch over the Polo pony.
Not sure what the difference is from the Portsider, but the J Crew Outlet site has the Flex Chino shorts in 5″, 7″, & 9″ for even a little bit of a lower price ($8 cheaper). Bought several pairs of these the past few years and they wear great.
SO excited to see Patagonia brought back the Stand Ups! Will have to grab a pair or two and start beating the hell out of them..
Yep, this is my move. I hate that they’re stretch but since even the main line ones are stretch, doesn’t seem like the quality could be that different. Catch them on sale for $25-$30 a pair.