Okawachi points to Patagonia bringing back the brand’s original Stand Up short (in five- and seven-inch inseams) and how Yellow Rat’s midcentury-inspired styles look mighty contemporary. While he hails the nylon baggie as the “do-all” short of summer, he suggests exploring different fabrics, such as corduroy shorts from classic surf brands like Ocean Pacific, Makaha, or Katin.
Sameer Sadhu, music industry executive
Christopher Fenimore
Much like Wooster, the uber-stylish record exec Sameer Sadhu is loyal to his black shorts. Sadhu’s foundational summertime look is black shorts, socks, and loafers. “When I can’t think of anything else to wear, I just throw that on, and everything else becomes very easy to wear on top of it,” he explains.
Sadhu shops for shorts of various lengths, but steers clear of cuts that are Donald Glover-level short or culotte-level long; his collection boasts tailored shorts from The Row, Stòffa, Willy Chavarria, and Bode. He’s big on texture, mentioning how the material and construction can imbue a different look on a pair of tailored black shorts. “It’s so easy to peacock and go wild with shorts…but I know what works for me,” he says. His latest addition (from Comme des Garçons) features a polyester-linen blend that delivers a luxurious satin-esque sheen. Sadhu also mentions a deep reverence for Bode shorts, which often offer a shorter inseam with a wider leg opening—the best of both worlds.
David Hellqvist, stylist and editor
David Hellqvist, a stylist, editor, and brand consultant, believes the loose and comfortable silhouette will prevail this summer. “Not baggy or oversized, just loose,” he clarifies. The ultra-short shorts of last summer, he says, “felt like a trend, and trends come and go.” To his eye, the elegance and structure of a longer cut offer a more formal look for men, while noting that a well-designed contemporary cargo short can still play into more streetwear-centric looks. Two short styles from the Swedish brand Our Legacy caught his eye as emblematic of what he expects men to gravitate toward this summer.
Pete Macnee, founder and creative director of Adsum
Pete Macnee founded Adsum a decade ago, but the New York brand’s mission remains the same today: create supremely stylish and highly functional menswear that works as well in the city as it does in the great outdoors. Over the years, Macnee and team have designed and produced several of what he calls “kick around” short styles, but the label’s Site Short has been a bona fide best seller. “We wanted the build to be a little better than similar shorts on the market, like Patagonia baggies,” he explains. So Adsum covered the front pocket zippers with a placket and added stitching to the front to make it look more structured. The fabric is abrasion-resistant and quick-drying. The cut is comfortable, airy, and offers a shorter inseam. (But as Macnee points out: “It’s not European swimsuit short.”)