Denim shorts are an excellent summer choice for men who love to keep it simple and stylish. It’s a material that’s loved by most men because of its durability and it’s not uncommon to find it in any man’s wardrobe.
However, finding the perfect denim short that fits well while offering a stylish look is not an easy task. As such, we have put together a comprehensive list of the top ten best denim shorts for men as well as some buying tips. Read on.
Our Top 10 Picks
1. Levi’s Men’s 569 Loose Straight Denim Short
You can never go wrong with Levi’s. Made by Levi’s and Straus Company, the pioneer manufacturers of denim clothing, the Levi’s Men’s 569 denim short is your perfect choice for denim shorts.
Perfect for the summer or for the weekend, this classically designed denim short follows the Levi’s Strauss tradition of comfort, style, and durability.
Made from 78 percent cotton, 16 percent polyester, and a blend of elastomultiester and elastane, the Levi’s 569 short offers that spectacular broken-in fell and laid-back straight fit look you’d expect from such a high-end product.
To achieve a nice balance, the short is tailored to fit perfectly below the waist while leaving extra room in the seat and thigh. This means that there’s enough room for your thighs without looking baggy.
What’s more, the short features a five pocket design (hip, coin, and back pockets), zip fly, and a single button closure. You can wear them with a V-neck tee and sneakers to achieve that classic and daytime look.
Pros
- Modern laid-back fit
- Very comfortable
- Build to last
- Five pocket design
- Not baggy
Cons
- Material is a bit light
- A bit long
2. Wrangler Men’s Jean Short
Made by the denim brand Wrangler, an iconic American company with a long history of making high-quality jeans, the Wrangler Men’s Jean short is one of the most preferred denim shorts around the globe. But what makes it so iconic?
First, the short is made from 100 percent cotton to ensure that it’s breathable and lasts a lifetime. Moreover, it is made for multipurpose use and you can wear it when the weather is hot or when you want to add a touch of class to your summer outfit.
The five pocket design makes it look stylish and is augmented by the 10 inch inseam, belt loops, metallic button, and zipper closure. To ensure that you get the best experience, the short is designed to fit perfectly without them appearing baggy. It sits at the natural waistline and offers a relaxed seat and thigh.
Pros
- Stylish and functional
- Made from 100-percent cotton hence durable
- Very comfortable
- Fits well at the knees
- 5-Pocket design offers extra storage
Cons
- Zipper issues
3. Calvin Klein Men’s Denim
Whether you are hitting the streets on a weekend or just want to wear that relaxed summer outfit, the Calvin Klein’s Men’s denim shorts ensure that you stand out from the crowd.
Designed by the American luxury fashion house, Calvin Klein Inc., the Calvin Klein Men’s denim shorts are made from 98 percent cotton and a 2 percent blend of Lycra spandex.
The shorts feature a five-pocket design that infuses the iconic omega stitching on the back pockets. This special construction twist together with the faded sky blue color, belt loop waistband, zip fly, metallic rivets, and metallic button closure give this pair of shorts a modern classical look.
Moreover, the shorts provide ultimate comfort and are designed to provide a closer fit with a hint of stretch. The 10.5 inch inseam length ensures that it hits right at the knee while offering adequate leg coverage.
These shorts look great when worn together with a V-Neck tee and sneakers.
Pros
- Very durable
- Very stylish
- Casual cool look
- Very comfortable
- Fits perfectly
Cons
- None found
4. Dickies Men’s 11” Denim Short
There’s a simple reason why the Dickies brand is among the best denim brands. The reason is that the brand has been making denim apparels since 1922 and thus they have mastered the art of making quality street wear and work wear that’s fit for purpose.
As such, the Dickies Men 11” Denim Short is no exception. The short is made from 100 percent cotton and features a six pocket design. The sixth pocket which is well placed on the right rear thigh and is designed to keep your cell phone safe and within reach.
What’s more, the Dickies perfection in craftsmanship can be seen in the tiniest finishes that include rivets at stress points, heavy duty brass zippers, and the double stitched seams.
The 11 inch inseam and the extra room in the seat and thigh ensure that you get maximum comfort even when the weather is hot. These pair of shorts can be worn with a tee-shirt and sneakers or flip flops to give a more polished look.
Pros
- Very durable
- Comfortable
- Extra pockets
- Double stitched seams
- 100 percent cotton for better breathability
Cons
- Shallow front pockets
5. Carhartt Men’s Denim Short
Just like Dickies, the Carhartt brand is an American apparel company known for its iconic denim jeans, overalls, jackets, and many more. As such, the Carhartt Men’s Denim Short with an 8.5 inch inseam is among one of the most popular denim shorts in their series. But what does it offer?
Made from 11.75 ounce, 100 percent cotton, this pair of shorts is sewn with perfection to fit your purpose. It features numerous utility reinforced pockets, left leg hammer loop and ruler pocket, and reinforced belt loops that offer maximum strength from wear and tear.
While it’s not high on style, this denim short is comfortable and relaxed on the seat and thigh and leaves enough room for movement. It also sits perfectly at the waist.
Pros
- Very durable and strong
- Comfortable
- Made with 100 percent cotton
- Reinforced back pockets
Cons
- Not stylish
6. Lee Denim Shorts- Regular Fit
The Lee brand is an American denim innovator that has been producing denim jeans and active wear for the past 127 years. Their denim wear are well crafted to offer comfort, flexibility, and style seamlessly. The Lee Denim Shorts do not fall short of this description.
Made from 100 percent cotton to ensure that they last a lifetime, the Lee Denim shorts feature a five pocket design (hip, coin, and back pockets) and bear the iconic Lee logo patch at the back waist.
The shorts also come with a zip fly with button closure and have a 10 inch inseam length that ensures that they fall right at the knee while offering adequate leg coverage. Just like the lee jeans trousers, the shorts sit at the waist are straight through the seat and thigh.
They are available in different traditional finishes and you can wear them with a tee-shirt and slip-ons or sneakers.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Very durable
- Made from 100 percent cotton
- 5-pocket design offers extra storage
- Affordable
Cons
- A bit baggy
7. Buffallo David Bitton Parker-X Denim Shorts
Buffallo David Bitton is another denim brand that’s best known internationally for their stylish and fashionable denim jeans. If you like their denim styles, you’ll definitely love the Parker-X Acid wash denim shorts too.
The Parker-X acid wash denim shorts are trendier, slimmer, and feature the more likely denim style you are likely to see these days. These shorts are made from 80 percent cotton, 18 percent polyester, and 2 percent spandex. This means they offer a slight stretch for extra comfort and give you a lovely silhouette without looking saggy.
They also feature a five pocket design, zip closure, and have a drawstring at the waist for easy adjustment and comfort where you need it most.
The acid wash color also makes them easy to pair with a t-shirt of your choice and some sneakers or slip-ons giving you that casual and stylish summer outlook.
Pros
- Fits well with the thighs
- Very comfortable
- Stylish design
- Stylish five pocket construction
- Drawstring closure for easy adjustment
Cons
- None found
8. Levi’s 541 Athletic Fit Shorts
The Levi’s 541 Athletic fit shorts is yet another pick by the Levi’s and Straus Company. While this does not come as a surprise, these denim gurus have managed to design denim clothing and styles that fits all shapes and sizes across all age groups.
As the name suggests, Their 541 Athletic series is inspired by professional athletes and is a perfect fit for an athletic build. Made with 99 percent cotton and 1 percent Elastane, the 541 Athletic short offers more room for individuals with muscular legs while leaving you feeling stylish.
Along with the tailored fit, the shorts have an added stretch that ensures that they sit perfectly at the waist while offering extra room in the seat and thigh.
What’s more, the shorts feature a five-pocket design, a zipper closure, and a 10 inch inseam to ascertain that they fall right at the knee. You can wear them with a checked shirt, tee-shirt, and pair of canvas shoes to get that classical look.
Pros
- High quality
- Comfortable
- Five pocket design
- Sits well at the waist
- Not baggy
Cons
- A bit too stretchy
9. Polo Ralph Lauren Destruct Denim Shorts
For a fashion house known for producing luxury fashion products including apparel, accessories, and fragrances, there is no doubt that the Polo Ralph Lauren Denim Shorts are worth your money.
Made from 100 percent cotton, these stylish and unique pair of shorts are a nice change-up from your typical blue pair of shorts. The shorts fit perfectly depending on your size and they have an inseam length of 7.5 inches, which means they hand right above the knee.
What’s more, the shorts feature a five pocket design, and comes with a zipper and button closure. The material used offers maximum comfort and breathability and the finish is made of distressed and fading details with raw hem edges to give it that vintage look.
Pros
- Made from 100 percent cotton
- Comfortable and breathable
- Stylish look
- Five pocket design
Cons
- Prone to fraying
10. Enrica Men’s Ripped Distressed Denim Shorts
There’s just something cool about the Enrica Ripped Denim shorts. Unlike most shorts, the Enrica’s have a clear touch of style and modern outlook and they are the kind of shorts you find most celebrities wearing.
Made from denim cotton, these shorts are stretchy, close fitting, and very comfortable. They have a button and zipper closure and feature metallic rivets on the front pockets.
They also fall right at the knee providing excellent leg coverage. There’s also the moto detail and the frayed stitching at the edges that give this short a hint of grunge.
The shorts are available in various colors. So if black isn’t your thing, you can select from distressed red, white, blue, and many more.
Pros
- Very modern and stylish
- Comfortable to wear
- Closely fitting but not skinny
- Very affordable
Cons
- Small pockets
How to pick the best denim short for men
Here are some factors you should consider when buying the best denim shorts for men.
Fit
However good the denim shorts look, they won’t give you the satisfaction you want if they do not fit you well. When selecting a denim short, make sure you are acquainted with your waist size and height. You do not want to purchase a short with a long inseam height that makes it look like a trouser.
Craftsmanship
Most denim brands showcase their mastery in denim making through the finest of details such as stitching, zippers, rivets, buttons, and pockets. While you may prefer a denim short with all these details, it’s prudent to ensure that they are well sewn and easy to open especially when it comes to zippers and buttons.
Style
Denim jeans are made to offer comfort while not falling short on style. Buy a denim short that fits well with your style and one that will make you comfortable.
Stretch
While still on comfort and style, do not forget the stretch. Consider shorts with an elastic stretch. An elastic stretch ensures that you have the comfort you desire while giving you the freedom of movement. Check for labels with spandex or polyester in their fabric blends.
Price
Of course you must work on a budget. Most denim shorts range between the price ranges of $15 to $100. This is not to mean that the cheap ones are of poor quality, but you’ll have to research and find one that’s of good quality and fits within your budget.
Frequently asked Questions
Which is the best denim short material?
Cotton is king. This is because of its durability and breathability. However, for added comfort and flexibility you’ll want to go with one that adds a little bit of spandex or polyester.
What can I wear with a denim short?
Denim shorts can go with pretty much anything. However, it’s best to keep it simple. For example you can wear with a plain white tee-shirt or shirt with minimal prints and some canvas footwear or slip-ons.
What’s the best denim short color?
While color choice is based on your preference, it’s ideal to go with classic colors like blue or grey as they are timeless and will always look sharp.
What should I do when I’m not sure of my fit?
The best thing to do is head to the fit guide if you are shopping online.
Wrapping up
As you can see, there are several good denim shorts to choose from. However, it all narrows down to your taste and preferences. We hope that this guide will help you with your selection. We however recommend that you do your own research too so you can get the best.
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