Bang for Your (Summer) Buck: Merona Shorts at Target

With summer clothes, if you get one season out of ‘em, I say you’ve gotten your money’s worth…which is why I don’t usually spend a lot on summer clothes…which is why I go to Target a lot…are we starting to see a cycle here?

On my most recent trip back to Wisconsin (and yes, I am basically bi-coastal if the Midwest was a coast at this point…I’m mid-coastal? What can I say? My niece and new nephew give me a pretty good reason to go for frequent flyer status), I made a quick pit stop at Tar-jay on Sunday.

I stopped by for just a couple of things (it always starts out that way at least). A Justin Bieber notebook for my at-home To Do’s. Some sandals that I’d spied online but wanted to make sure they fit right. A bulk-size bag of cashews… You know, the usual.

As I passed by the men’s section, I got a good look at the above shorts from Merona. What a solid brand that Merona is. It’s not showy like Mossimo can sometimes be, and isn’t trying to play to a younger crowd like the Converse One-Star line (though both Target lines certainly have their moments) but Merona man, that’s where it’s at. Just solid basics and typically-low Target prices.

I’d already heard a few rave reviews from readers, so I know they’re comfortable, and they look nice and slim-cut, which is good. The only thing I’d worry about is length. If these shorts are too long for you (and by now, I hope that is a sentence that might actually come out of your mouth sometimes), take them to a tailor who can shorten them for like, ten bucks. Still a good deal.

While July 4th is over, I’d snap up the red and the blues, pair ‘em with a white pocket tee, slip-ons or boat shoes and head out the door every Saturday for the rest of the summer. 

From left to right (all $20):

Blue Gingham
(these don’t really strike me as a true gingham, but at $20, who am I to complain?)

Red chambray

Blue pincord micro stripe

A plea – the plaid? Leave it alone. Unless it’s a true madras print, I’ve kind of had it with plaid shorts in the summer. They make me think of bands like nickelback for some reason. And they’re so often paired with shirts that have tattoo designs on them. And sneakers with black socks. Wait, I think I have a picture…yep, here it is.

Tell me:

What are your summer staples? Where did you buy them?