The Colorist

The Colorist

The Art of the Perfect Short for Men and Women

Why Most Shorts Don’t Work (And What to Wear Instead)

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The Colorist
Apr 10, 2026
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Summer is coming and we need to talk about shorts

Summer style can be harder than cooler weather. No layers, no jackets, nothing to hide behind. So most of the time the entire outfit comes down to your shorts.

If those are off, everything can feel off.

In this article, I’m breaking down a simple 3-step process to filter through hundreds of options and find the right pair:

  1. What to avoid when buying shorts

  2. The right inseam of shorts based on your height

  3. What cuts to actually look for depending on body type

I’ve also included what key terms brands use when describing their shorts so you can actually find them.

Let’s get into it.


MEN

1. The Fit Problem For Men

Most men default to one of two shorts:

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