Men’s Shorts: How Short Is Too Short?

We’ve all been there. You pull on a pair of shorts and have to ask yourself, “Are these shorts too short?” As inseams have slowly shrunk over the past decade or so, the question has only become more common.

It’s a fine line between summer confidence and a wardrobe malfunction. But with a little guidance and common sense, you can always have the proper-length shorts for any occasion.

Let’s start … small.

Silkies

Silkies, also known as Ranger panties, are just about as short as men’s shorts get. Think ’80s basketball shorts. They’re not appropriate for all occasions — if an event is any more formal than a barbecue in your own back yard, you should probably opt for bottoms with a little more length. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t an excellent option when they are appropriate.

With their lightweight material and minimal fabric, silkies are perfect for hot weather and high activity. From intense workouts to casual beach days, silkies mean minimal chafing and maximum mobility. Just keep in mind that the short inseam may leave you rather exposed, if you aren’t careful.

But what about the other extreme?

Cargo shorts

With cargo shorts, you never need to worry about flashing the family jewels by accident, so that’s a plus. Baggy, comfy, and practical, cargo shorts are great for lounging around or for wear when you’ve got messy work to do. That said, these shorts aren’t a great pick for most social occasions. Too short won’t do you any good, but too long simply never looksclassy or stylish. If you’re fishing with the bros or spending time with your wife and kids, cargo shorts are great. If you’re going to be around anybody else, opt for something shorter.

The inbetween

This is generally the sweet spot. If your shorts are above the knee and longer than Ranger panties, it’s pretty hard to go wrong — as long as you’re in a situation where shorts are generally acceptable. You probably shouldn’t wear shorts of any length to a fancy dinner, for example. That calls for pants. But we digress.

You’ve got plenty of options that fall in between silkies and cargos, and you can mostly decide which to wear based on what you’re comfortable in and what you think looks best on your body.

If you’re a confident fellow who likes the shorter end of the spectrum, you can opt for short shorts like hoochie daddies. These are great for hot weather and showing off those muscular quads.

Maybe you’re more comfortable with a longer fit, but you still want something well above the knee. You can go for mid-length shorts, such as classy unlined shorts (like our Interval Shorts). This length is great for everyday wear, summer outings, and smart-casual events. They’re balanced, modern, and clean-cut.

For those who prefer knee-length, there are the tried and true board shorts, standard athletic shorts, and basketball shorts. These tend to be more casual, but they offer more coverage, a relaxed style, and are definitely more presentable than baggy, past-the knee cargos.

Hang On — What’s an Inseam Again?

The inseam is the length of the inner leg seam of pants (or shorts), running from the crotch to the bottom of the pant leg. In practice, that means that the shorter the inseam is, the shorter the pair of pants or shorts is.

Some examples: Silkies have an inseam of about 2-2.5 inches, while hoochie daddy inseams are about 4-5 inches. Mid-length short inseams are about 6-7 inches (like our Interval Shorts, with an inseam of 7 inches), basketball short inseams are about 8-9 inches, and cargo short inseams are about 10-12 inches.

What Shoes Go With That?

Picking out shorts appropriate for the occasion comes with picking out shoes appropriate for the shorts. If you’ve chosen the right shorts, the last thing you want is to ruin your good decision with an awkwardly paired shoe pick.

For silkies, you should probably opt for going barefoot, throwing on a pair of sandals, or lacing up some trainers. As discussed, silkies are really for lounging around the house, beachwear, or working out — if you’re feeling brave or like a ’70s track kid. With those as your silkies-appropriate settings and activities, bare feet, sandals, and trainers should have you covered, and they’ll look appropriate with your choice of shorts.

If you’re in cargos, your tootsies should probably be rocking chunky sneakers or hiking shoes. You’ve gotta embrace the vibe. Own it. Be proud. Dad out. Add a waistpack for extra effect.

For basketball shorts, opt for trainers.

Mid-length shorts, like our Voyage and Interval Shorts, are going to be your most versatile option, especially in the warmer months when shorts are expected. You can dress our unlined Interval Shorts up with a pair of loafers for the workplace (depending on how formal your office is) or a porch party. You can dress them down with a pair of sandals for beach days, traveling, hanging out with friends, or spending time around the house. And you can go practical with trainers or hiking shoes, since these shorts perform well in workouts, too (pair them with your favorite liner, or opt for our lined Voyage Shorts).

Conclusion

Ultimately, your choice in shorts comes down to two questions: do they fit the occasion, and are you comfortable in them?

In the most casual of settings, you can wear shorts of pretty much any length, but the fancier the occasion, the closer toward mid-length your shorts should get. At Black Crest, our shorts live in that sweet spot: short enough to be fashionable, and long enough that they’re always appropriate. Lined or unlined, our shorts are versatile. They can take you from a tough workout to a picnic date to a Fourth of July barbecue and always look perfect for the occasion.

Get yourself a pair of Black Crest shorts and ensure your summer wardrobe is never lacking.

We're kicking off the summer, and that means shorts are in. With that in mind, we figured we’d start the sunny season off right with a sale. At blackcrest.com, you can get 15% off sitewide using code “HONOR15” from May 22 to May 26, 2025. Hit us up for shorts, shirts, and more that you can live in this summer.