For something that makes up the most comfortable part of our wardrobes, we do not really recognize shorts for the kind of impact they can have on an outfit. If you do it wrong, shorts can make you look unkempt and a little too casual for conventional tastes. But if you do them right, shorts can make you come across as breezy, carefree and serene. You just have to find a way for them to work on your silhouette.

But how do you go about getting it right? For starters, get the length of the shorts right. If you are going to a beach, then a shorter length might be fine. But it would look quite odd in other settings. Longer lengths can be a problem, because it can make shorts look like capri pants – and those haven’t been in vogue for a while now. So, you have to factor in your height when creating outfits with shorts.

There are other things that you have to keep in mind when styling these deceptively tricky but uber comfortable pieces. Check out these five ways of doing it.

• Outfit Style - Summer casual outfits with shorts 
• Our Most Favourite Look - Denim Shorts + White Shirt + Converse Sneakers
• Occasion - Going Out With Friends, Beach vacation, travelling 
• Featured - One Dapper Street
• Budget - Low to Medium. 
• Age Group - 18 to 35 years 
• Recommended Read - 5 Shorts & Shirts Outfits For Men
• Recommended Guide - The ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE System 

Shorts Outfits For Men

Outfit 1 

Your safest bet is to go for something classic – both in terms of the individual pieces of the outfits and the color scheme. So, a standard cinnamon brown color on fitted shorts that end just above your knees would be great.

You can pair it with a white cotton tee, and throw in a striped shirt to add a layer of breezy styling to it. Take your shades for a day out, or style it with a simple, elegant bracelet. For the shoes, stick to converse sneakers that capture the sportiness of the rest of the outfit.

Outfit 2

Can one make shorts dressier? Of course, you can. You just have to know how to make the casual vibe of the shorts fit into the rest of the outfit. Take this one for instance – notice how the beige turtleneck perfectly complements the grey-green shorts?

Also, make note of how the shorts have a different length here because of the beach setting. Get a pair of suede shoes to compliment the beige sweatshirt so that the green of the shorts is harmonized by the colors on either side. This outfit can be worn for a walk around the city too, but make sure you adjust the length of the shorts there.

Outfit 3

Cotton shorts and Henley tees are a match made in heaven. Henley tees combine the sportiness of polo t-shirts with the sleeve length of sweatshirts, creating a perfect balance of smart-casual. Styled with a striped Henley, dark shades and standard-length neutral pants, this outfit captures the core of beach fashion – laidback but also spirited.

The key to getting this right is to stick to a lighter, neutral palette to keep the laidback nature of it intact. We recommend that you leave this outfit without any accessories. There’s a fuss-free aspect to it, which accessories might mess with.

Outfit 4

But what if you want to make shorts look edgier? Wouldn’t the casual appeal of shorts take away from that? Not if you pair them with a black tee. Go for a sleeveless black t-shirt with stripes like the one in this outfit if you are looking to experiment a little.

Blacks are always an instant hit, and the khaki shorts really help balance out the intensity of the black tee. You can go for black hiking sandals to make the casual athleisure of the look shine through. Add a duffel or weekender bag with a matching tone, and this outfit is good for a relaxing trip.

Outfit 5

If you want shorts to look chic and casual, go for a white shirt with denim shorts. This is like the more laidback cousin of the white shirt and denim trousers combination, and it has lasted through fashion trends.

It is best to go with darker shades in the denim to maintain the impact of the white shirt, but you can experiment with the denim colors as long as you stay consistent with the color of the sneakers. Try black converses, and keep the accessories to a minimal. Add an elegant rucksack in a standard color, and you are golden.