Consider this Team SG’s annual reminder that linen is not reserved for ’90s boy band members in a music video set on a beach for a sad song about losing the girl, and how much they want her back, baby.
No, wearing linen is for every guy. Singing or dancing chops not required!
The way to avoid looking like you should be performing dance choreography by the ocean while wearing linen is to 1) not wear it head to toe. And 2) make sure your linen pieces are tailored closer to street clothes than billowy vacation wear.
A great place to jump into wearing linen this summer? Linen shorts.
Why wear linen shorts?
Yes, cotton chino shorts are right there. And I’ll be honest; I’m not even mad at the return of jorts in the year of our Lord 2024.
But linen! You can’t go wrong when the heat is H O T.
Linen shorts are among the lightest, most summer-y bottoms in your closet. You guys are no strangers to this style superhero of a natural fiber that just exudes ease…you can wear literally linen anything (like say, a linen suit!) and feel great in 100ºF+ weather.
(Pssst, if you want to keep the wrinkles to a minimum while keeping easy breeziness at its max? Opt for a linen-cotton blend.)
How to wear linen shorts
A lot of guys want to know how to wear white linen shorts for men, but if this is your first ride on the linen-go-round, I recommend a hue that’s a few notches away from pure white, just to be safe.
Like these J.Crew linen shorts bad boys. These light, light blue linen shorts are durable, cool to the touch, and look even better with a few wrinkles. And the slim fit ensures a clean, tailored look all summer long.
What shoes to wear with linen shorts?
As you’ll see in the outfits below, linen shorts go with all kinds of summer shoes, from espadrilles to sneakers to sandals and more. A good rule of thumb? The shoes you wear with linen shorts should have the same visual “weight” as your easy breezy shorts. So: nothing too clunky or heavy or wintery.
Shop some of the best shoes to wear with men’s linen shorts:
Below, 5 linen shorts outfits for men to wear this summer:
MONDAY
Shop the outfit:
- shorts: J.Crew
- shoes: Polo Ralph Lauren
- sweater: Todd Snyder
SG Says: Wear your linen shorts with a lightweight striped sweater and some espadrille-like slides.
TUESDAY
Shop the outfit:
- shorts: J.Crew
- polo shirt: Untuckit (similar)
- hat: Gap
- sandals: Birkenstock
SG Says: Lean into the off-duty vibes of linen with a nautical-adjacent look. This striped polo from Outerknown says, “I’m about to set sail” while the white Birks say “And I brought the White Claws.”
WEDNESDAY
Shop the outfit:
- shorts: J.Crew
- shoes: Nisolo
- shirt: Charles Tyrwhitt (similar)
SG Says: Give your linen shorts an upscale edge with woven leather shoes and a band collar shirt.
THURSDAY
Shop the outfit:
- shorts: J.Crew
- sneakers: New Balance
- polo shirt: Howlin’
SG Says: I love the tennis-y vibe of this outfit, while the texture on this colorblock polo shirt keeps things from looking like you should have a racquet in your hand.
FRIDAY
Shop the outfit:
- shorts: J.Crew
- hoodie: Nike (similar)
- t-shirt: Carhartt WIP
- sneakers: Nike (similar)
SG Says: Try to catch me out not recommending a man wear a bubble gum pink hoodie.
Shop #SGapproved linen shorts
These men’s linen shorts are affordable, slim fit, and will have you feeling comfortable and confident all summer long.
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Want more men’s shorts outfit ideas?
Check out these summer style features from Style Girlfriend:
- The Best 5″ Men’s Shorts
- SG Hall of Fame: Men’s Pants and Shorts
- 5 Days, 5 Ways: Patterned Shorts
- 3 Easy-Breezy Drawstring Shorts Outfits for Guys
