Denim shorts may be casual, but that doesn’t mean you have to look sloppy wearing them. Plenty of blokes have rocked them fashionably over the years, it’s just a matter of considering a few factors when shopping and then finding the correct attire to complete your outfit. Thankfully, most of us already have a decent cotton t-shirt and a pair of canvas trainers in our wardrobe so it's pretty easy!
In this buying guide, we’ll help you identify the best denim shorts around by advising on the length, fit, wash and cuff style. From there, we’ll go on to show you some of our favourites from classic brands such as Levi’s, Wrangler and Hilfiger which are available to buy right now at Amazon, ASOS, and John Lewis. From medium wash oversized shorts to black pairs with ripped hems, we've got a wide range of options for you to browse!
Quick List - Top Denim Shorts for Men
AllSaints
Medium Length, Washed Black Denim Made From Allsaints’ Signature Soft Material
Tommy Hilfiger
A High-Quality, Distressed Pair That You Can Wear Year After Year
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Table of Contents
The first aspect to consider when shopping for shorts is the length. Generally, this type of clothing has gotten shorter over time, but according to stylist Dan May who has worked with top celebs like Eddie Redmayne and David Beckham, a length that comes to the bottom of the thigh is best.
This works well for men who want to cover up as well as those who like to show off. As with a pair of jeans, the inseam is measured inside the leg and typically comes in four sizes: 11", 9", 7" and 5". Because companies don’t always provide the inseam length of shorts, we’ve opted to classify them as short, medium or long in our specification tables. If you need more specific information, you can always check the website.
If you’re unsure which length to go for, we recommend medium as it should suit most men. However, this will of course be relative to your height — longer shorts might look better on tall blokes, and vice versa for shorter guys.
For the colder months, try our Best Skinny Jeans!
As with jeans, there are different fits when it comes to denim shorts — the two most common being slim (tailored) and regular. These are both about the same length, but they have subtle differences. Slim fit shorts tuck in towards the hem, which creates a more modern, streamlined silhouette. If you’re not into the slim side of things though, a regular fit has a similar shape but offers more flexibility in terms of movement.
Other styles, such as skinny shorts, are super tight and not very forgiving in either the waistline or flexibility department. That being said, gym buffs with plenty of muscles like to wear these to show off their hard-earned gains. Those who prefer to cover up, however, may want to avoid this fit.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have oversized denim shorts which are easily done wrong and can quickly make you look like an extra out of an LL Cool J video from the mid-90s! If that's the aesthetic that you’re going for though and you regularly wear baggy clothes, you should be able to pull them off. They're a great choice for lounging around the house or hitting the beach on holiday.
Add a little edge with our Best Ripped Jeans!
There are plenty of different washes of denim out there to choose from, but what you might not realise is that the shade can determine how casual a pair of shorts appears to those around you.
Most denim shorts are a classic medium wash — in fact, this is probably the colour that comes to mind when you imagine any kind of denim. This shade and lighter hues are generally considered the most laid-back option. Therefore, they’re the best bet if you’re looking for a pair that you can wear daily.
If you’re looking to smarten things up a little bit, a darker hue through to a washed black shade would be a better choice. Granted, this doesn’t mean that these shorts are formal wear, but you should be able to get away with them in smart-casual settings — as long as they’re not distressed or frayed.
Complete the look with our Best Men's Denim Jackets!
Finally, consider the hem of the jeans. This is generally just a style point, so it's more a case of personal taste than anything else. There are three main options: hemmed, ripped and turn-ups. Hemmed cuffs are a classic — with this design, the bottom seam is still completely visible, as they essentially imitate your average pair of jeans. These are the traditional option, so it's hard for anyone to go wrong with this style!
Next up, you have shorts with ripped seams. These are usually found on ripped or distressed designs, unsurprisingly! They make denim shorts even more casual, so they'll appeal to guys who prefer a laid-back look as well as fans of the rock/punk aesthetic.
Lastly, turn-ups. These are simply, as their name suggests, turned-up hems at the bottom of a pair of shorts. They were incredibly popular about a decade ago but have dropped out of favour nowadays. That being said, they provide a certain type of preppy aesthetic — we'd say they're more commonly found on chino shorts rather than denim ones though.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wrangler Men's Shorts | ![]() | A Versatile Option at a Reasonable Price That’ll Look Good on Anyone | |
2 | AllSaints Switch Slim Denim Shorts | ![]() | Medium Length, Washed Black Denim Made From Allsaints’ Signature Soft Material | |
3 | Levi's 501 Hemmed Shorts | ![]() | Iconic, Durable and Incredibly Stylish Medium Wash Shorts | |
4 | Tommy Hilfiger Denim Scanton Slim Denim Shorts | ![]() | A High-Quality, Distressed Pair That You Can Wear Year After Year | |
5 | ASOS DESIGN Skinny Denim Shorts | ![]() | 70s-Style Washed Black Short Shorts in a Skinny Fit | |
6 | Pull & Bear Slim Fit Denim Shorts With Rips | ![]() | Affordable Distressed Shorts With a Slim Fit From a Popular High Street Brand | |
7 | Bershka Loose Denim Shorts | ![]() | A Relaxed Option in a Longer Length With a Nice Light Wash, Perfect for Casual Wear | |
8 | Jack & Jones Men's Shorts | ![]() | An Affordable Pair of Medium Wash Shorts That Are About as Classic as They Come | |
9 | ASOS DESIGN Oversized Baggy Denim Shorts in Cloud Print | ![]() | Three-Quarter Length Jeans in a Cloud Print for Those Who Are Brave in Their Fashion Choices | |
10 | ASOS DESIGN White Denim Shorts | ![]() | Stylish White Shorts With a Regular Rise and a Skinny Fit, Perfect for Summer |
Taking our number 1 spot is this regular-fit denim pair from Wrangler. It was a close call, but we've opted for these bad boys as we think pretty much any guy on the planet could slip into them and look instantly, effortlessly stylish. Plus the brand is renowned for its high-quality clothing that comes at a reasonable price.
As with all hemmed, medium wash and regular fit jeans, this is a versatile pair of shorts that can be worn with anything in your wardrobe, making picking out an outfit in the morning stress-free. Glow up with a smart shirt and leather boat shoes or kick it in a plain polo and your Converse — the options are endless!
Washed black denim with a ripped hem is a classic casual look that you can't go wrong with. These streetwise shorts are perfect for a hot summer's day as they aren't too snug and they're made from AllSaints' signature soft denim for a comfortable fit.
If you're searching for medium-length jean shorts that you can pair with trainers and a simple white tee for an easy summer look, you'll be hard-pressed to find better. All you need now is good weather so you can get some use from them!
You didn't think we'd write a denim article without including the masters of jeans themselves, did you? While Levi's has a whole range of different shorts available, we've opted for the 501 originals for a very simple reason: they're iconic. While many companies try to replicate their durability and comfort, few manage to.
We've gone for a brilliant medium blue wash, as it's probably the most popular option, but there are both lighter and darker washes available too. You could even pick up a few pairs in different shades if you like the way they fit!
Tommy Hilfiger is a beacon of stylish menswear and, although it's a brand that's typically associated with a more preppy aesthetic, these are some pretty cool denim shorts that'll appeal to men with a range of fashion tastes. We'd say they're somewhat of a blank canvas, as they'll work with almost anything in your wardrobe.
In addition to the nice light wash, there are a couple of small distress marks on the front leg and the back pocket, to add some edginess. We're almost certain that these high-quality shorts will become your go-to pair, as they can be worn year after year.
Whether you like it or not, short shorts are making a comeback — just ask Harry Styles, who was recently featured in GQ sporting a pair. They're particularly popular with the younger generation, who seemed to have declared some kind of war on shorts that have an inseam longer than five inches. Some pairs are so skimpy that they almost look like they were made in the 70s!
Anyway, this washed black offering is slightly more subtle than other super short options. We like the skinny fit, too, as they remain comfortable while still offering a flattering fit!
Pull & Bear is a Spanish brand that's one of the most popular chains on the British high street, so they're experienced in producing garments that are affordable and look good — which is exactly what you get with these slightly distressed denim shorts.
The design of these shorts is slim fit, with a light wash and classic turn-up hems for added flair. They're much more snug-fitting than other slim styles though, so be wary of this if you don't want your new purchase to feel too tight.
Here, we have another take on the longer denim short — albeit one that's not as drastic as our earlier option! Made to sit right on the knee, this pair isn't so long that they reach the calves, which is what style experts say we should be avoiding.
The colour is a nice light wash, making these shorts suitable for everyday wear. You can easily style them with some decent sneaks to get a relaxed, streetwear sort of look. Granted, not everyone will dig the loose fit and pale blue shade, but some will.
Looking for something classic at a wallet-friendly price? This pair of jean shorts from Jack & Jones is about as straightforward as they come. They're a blend of medium wash denim and elastane, which gives them a bit of stretch — perfect when you want to play football with the kids at the park!
These shorts have the classic five pockets and studded button closure, so they're pretty practical when it comes to storing your keys or wallet. Some shoppers have found that they come up a little small though, so you may want to consult the brand's sizing guide before buying.
This is a very unique pair of shorts — in fact, you might even class them as a pair of three-quarter jeans as they're quite long! The cloud print adds a pop of interest and the fit and cut is unique in itself. They'll appeal to guys who are brave in their fashion choices and don't mind pushing the boundaries when it comes to experimenting with style.
While the fit, length and cloud print might be somewhat out there, the wash is a perfect medium blue which makes styling these shorts with garments in other colours easy, as it's just like wearing regular jeans. If you think you can pull them off, then we do too!
Nothing says summertime quite like some stylish white shorts. This offering from ASOS Design has a regular rise, so they'll sit right on the hips. Furthermore, the skinny fit makes them quite snug — ideal for those looking to flaunt it but perhaps not the comfiest option for everyone!
The colour of these shorts might be a problem for some blokes too; if you're prone to spills in the beer garden, then these may be a little unforgiving and tricky to clean. Still, they're a great option for warm weather and they even feature five handy pockets.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Wrangler|Men's Shorts
No. 2: AllSaints|Switch Slim Denim Shorts
No. 3: Levi's |501 Hemmed Shorts
No. 4: Tommy Hilfiger|Denim Scanton Slim Denim Shorts
No. 5: ASOS DESIGN|Skinny Denim Shorts
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