Men’s summer fashion is embracing shorter shorts, with Gucci’s Spring 2025 menswear show featuring 41 out of 46 ensembles with pants that hit just below the groin. Pleated shorts in a variety of colors and patterns were paired with button-downs, trenches, and blazers. Actor Paul Mescal attended the show in white striped shorts, loafers, and a blue Oxford shirt, sparking a discussion on whether shorter shorts are back in style.
Mescal, who has been seen sporting shorter shorts in his street style, is considered the “king of shorts” and supports the trend. Other celebrities like Jeremy Allen White, Donald Glover, Milo Ventimiglia, and Chris Pine have also been seen in shorter shorts, with Pine defending the controversial style by saying that short shorts are meant to be short. The resurgence of micro shorts for men follows a trend that began with content creators advocating for men to wear a 5-inch in-seam.
Fashion-forward women have also been seen wearing shorter shorts this spring in an effort to bring back the retro look, with Sydney Sweeney and Kristin Stewart leading the trend. The shift towards shorter shorts for both men and women may be a response to changing attitudes towards clothing styles and a desire to break away from traditional fashion norms. The popularity of short shorts among celebrities and fashion influencers indicates a growing interest in more daring and unconventional fashion choices.
The debate over the return of shorter shorts is ongoing, with opinions varying on whether the trend is here to stay or just a passing fad. While some see the resurgence of short shorts as a refreshing change in men’s fashion, others may find the style too bold or revealing. However, the prevalence of short shorts on runways and in celebrity street style suggests that the trend is gaining traction and becoming more widely accepted.
As fashion continues to evolve, trends like shorter shorts may continue to push the boundaries of traditional gender norms and expectations. Men’s summer staples are increasingly becoming more inclusive and diverse, catering to a wider range of style preferences and tastes. Whether short shorts become a lasting trend or simply a passing fad, the fashion world appears to be embracing more daring and experimental styles that challenge conventional ideas of what is considered fashionable and acceptable.
