No Boundaries Shorts Men's (2024)

FAQs

How short should men's shorts be? ›

A good rule of thumb is that shorts should end approximately two inches above the top of the kneecap. This tends to be a sweet spot for men who want true shorts, but not short shorts. This placement is also a good place to start when considering a client's body type in a conversation about shorts.

Inseams of men's shorts have gone up and down throughout history. Athletic shorts were noticeably short between the 1940s and 1980s before trends shifted towards above- or at-the-knee shorts or longer. Since 2021, shorter men's shorts have been trending. More specifically, micro shorts.

1. Length is Key. Length is one of the most (if not the most) important make-or-break factor when it comes to the way you look when you don a pair of shorts. Ideally, your shorts should hit between 1 and 3 inches above your knee.

If you're under 6 feet tall, you may want to stick to the 5 to 7-inch inseam range. On the other hand, taller guys can opt for longer inseam lengths to accommodate long legs. If you're over 6 feet tall, 9-11 inches may be a more ideal inseam length.

Shorts With an Inseam of 5 to 7 Inches

If you have a 5-inch inseam, you're likely to have a mid-thigh gap. 5 to 7-inch inseam shorts are excellent for men between 5'5″ and 6'1″ in height. Shorts with a 7″ inseam seem to be the most common length for men's clothing.

5-inch shorts are having a moment in men's fashion, so if you're looking to keep up with the times, then they're your ideal pair. This length also tends to hit most men right above, or a few inches above, the knee—resulting in a tailored look that can make you look a little taller compared to shorter shorts.

In general, the trend has been moving to fuller cuts with more room, more drape, and more fabric, whether that's at a short length that hits you at the top of the knee, at the knee, above the knee, or at the thigh—that's really up to you.”

It's not wrong to wear shorter shorts. In fact, many men, including athletes and celebrities, favor them. They like the way they look (making their legs look longer) and the way they feel (they're cooler and don't interfere with your mobility).

Gen Z is dressing like it's the 1990s, Millennials are embracing their grandparents' style and men... well, men are wearing short shorts again. As is so often the case, the trend started on TikTok (search #5inchinseam to see what we mean). Since then, celebs have jumped on board, too.

However, the truth is, there's no definitive age at which someone should stop wearing shorts. The notion that individuals of a certain age should restrict their wardrobe choices is outdated.

Are 3 inch shorts too short? ›

The 3″ (and 2") shorts are basically underwear, so approach with caution, or please not at all. Five and seven inch shorts are a good average inseam, and also a good marker for casual (i.e. not business) skirts and dresses.

Her rule of thumb is men's shorts should be around two inches above the knee. “At longest, they should be hitting right above the top of the kneecap, not longer,” she says. For more information on style trends, visit AllisonRoseHarrison.com.

Quick Inseam Guidelines

If you're 5'8” or under, you might want to go with the 5" inseam. Guys falling between 5'8” and 6' would do well to consider 7”. Any taller than 6', and a 9” inseam is a good option for you.

A 7 inch inseam on shorts means that the length of the shorts are 7 inches. This is the length your shorts will go down your legs (thighs, quads.) A 7 inch short is used for swimming trunks and lifestyle shorts.

This goes hand by hand with the fact that quads became the new biceps in today's society. So, the obvious reason that these shorts are trending for men is that they simply show more legs. So, men wearing 5-inch shorts and having strong legs with quads are the ones who receive the whole focus of attention.

General rule of thumb: If you're looking for a good middle-of-the-road style, you want the leg opening to end a couple inches above the middle of your knee cap. There isn't an exact spot where they should hit your leg; it's more of a personal preference thing. Shop These Shorts (all inseams available).