How to wear shorts in summer

How do I wear shorts? There are so many factors to consider. Would you be kind enough as to give me some pointers as what to look for or avoid? A little advice would go a long way right now. Thank you. — Peter 

There's an awful lot of potential with shorts, Peter, but it gets lost amidst the frat-boy cargo shorts and Cape Cod wannabes wearing plaid Madras. Just check out the pics above from The Sarorialist, Scott Schuman, whose eponymous book comes out next week. While these Europeans emit a sort of joie de vivre unfamiliar to Americans, we can learn something from them.

Maybe you just missed my piece on How to Wear Shorts I wrote last summer, which more accurately should've been titled "Don't wear shorts to the office." While that proved informative to a bunch of folks, let's a take a look at the rules Stile E. set forth last year, with some new additions:

- Don't wear shorts to the office
- No pleats
- Shorts should fit like your trousers
- Shorts look best with polo shirts
- Tuck in your dress shirt
- The belt rule still applies
- Classic sneakers are better than athletic shoes, socks or sockless
- Boat shoes work best with Madras, sans socks
- Loafers are fine, too, sans socks
- Shorts should be anywhere from 1" to 3" above the knee (If you look like either John Stockton or a clam-digger, adjust your hem or get a different length)

You can also pull off the tee-shirt and shorts look while still staying classy, but the best way to do this is with a light sweater. And if you wear a suit jacket or blazer, have them either match in color (photo, left) or contrast with light color shorts (photo, right).

We're asking about shorts a little bit late in the summer, when stores are starting to stock Fall/Winter wear, but you can still find some good deals. Check out Steven Alan's New Paul short or any number of three-season shorts you can find at J.Crew or the Gap. Just be sure to be individual and avoid the cargo shorts. Unless you're working in the garage. At home. With the doors shut. (You're not in college anymore).

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