The main types of men’s shorts are chino or tailored, cargo, denim, linen, athletic or running, and swim shorts. Choose by matching the fabric and features to the occasion: cotton twill and a flat front look cleaner for casual plans, cargo pockets add storage and bulk, technical fabrics suit activity, and swim styles are built around water use and coverage.
Six common types of men’s shorts
These categories describe typical designs, not guarantees: individual shorts can combine features, and the names are not always used consistently. For examples of the broader vocabulary, see Man Collected’s guide to men’s shorts and Mizzen+Main’s June 29, 2026 guide.
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1. Chino or tailored shorts
Usually made from cotton twill with a relatively clean, flat-front design, chino shorts are an easy choice for casual and smart-casual settings. They can work with a polo, T-shirt, or casual button-down, but they are not formalwear. The fabric and simpler front make them look more polished than many denim or cargo styles.
2. Cargo shorts
Cargo shorts are recognizable by utility pockets on the thighs. Those pockets provide useful storage for travel or outdoor casual wear, but they add visual bulk and can make the cut feel roomier. Choose them when utility matters more than a streamlined silhouette.
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3. Denim shorts
Denim shorts are a casual option whose appearance depends on the wash and cut. A darker, cleaner wash can read differently from a distressed or faded one, so consider the overall look rather than treating denim shorts as one fixed style. Opinions about their trendiness change; their dependable place is in relaxed outfits.
4. Linen shorts
Linen is a lightweight warm-weather fabric known for breathability, and it wrinkles easily. That relaxed texture suits hot-weather casual dressing. Linen blends are another option, but they are not automatically better: choose according to the feel and appearance you want.
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5. Athletic or running shorts
Designed for movement, athletic shorts commonly use technical fabrics such as polyester or nylon and have an elastic or drawstring waist. Many include a liner, though neither a liner nor any particular fabric is universal. Pick a pair for the activity and comfort features you need rather than assuming every athletic short is constructed the same way. For a broader look at fabric choices by activity, see Simplstc Apparel’s guide to shorts by style and activity.
6. Swim shorts: trunks and board shorts
Swim trunks are the familiar pool-and-beach option. They commonly have an elastic waist and mesh liner, though designs vary. Board shorts are typically longer and are intended for surfing or other water sports where extra coverage is useful. Check the cut and lining rather than relying on the label alone.
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How to compare fit and length
Inseam is a useful reference, not a universal rule. One men’s style guide links 5 inches with a shorter, more athletic look, 7 inches with a versatile above-knee length, and 9 inches with more coverage; another suggests a hem about 1–3 inches above the knee. These examples can land differently depending on height, proportions, preference, and activity. See the examples in Adam & Westcott’s June 28, 2026 guide.
- For a cleaner casual look: start with cotton twill and a flat front.
- For extra storage: cargo pockets are practical, with added bulk as the trade-off.
- For movement: look at technical fabric, waist adjustment, and whether you want a liner.
- For water: choose trunks for typical pool or beach use, or longer board shorts when extra coverage suits your water activity.
Hybrid shorts as a crossover
Hybrid shorts are a variation rather than a seventh essential category. They are characterized as quick-drying swim shorts with a tailored silhouette intended to work in and out of the water. If you want one pair to move between those settings, check its actual drying, lining, and pocket features; the hybrid label alone does not guarantee a particular construction.
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