Shorts
Men's shorts
Men's shorts from Hackett London are cut for the stretch between a warm commute and a weekend that doesn't involve a jacket, without sliding into beachwear territory.
Fabrics across the collection
The range spans cotton twill in tailored lengths, brushed cotton for a softer hand-feel, and technical blends for anything closer to activewear. A cloth woven to roughly 240g/m² holds its shape through a hot afternoon without the fabric going limp by evening, which is the detail that separates a pair built to last a summer from one that gives up after a handful of wears. Where wool blends appear in the lighter-weight styles, the fabric follows the same specification Hackett London has used since opening its first shop on King's Road in 1983, adapted for warmer weight.
Length and rise in men's shorts
A tailored 7-inch inseam is the house standard, long enough to look considered with a polo or linen shirt, short enough to avoid reading as sportswear. A mid-rise waistband with a small amount of give at the hip keeps the fit comfortable without needing a belt on the softer cotton styles.
Cotton twill shorts with a linen shirt and espadrilles for lunch somewhere with a view — smart enough that nobody asks if you've come from the beach.
The same shorts with a plain white tee and trainers for the rest of the day — no effort required, none visible either.
How to choose the right length
Men's shorts sitting above the knee suit a slimmer leg and read more casual, while a longer 7 to 9-inch inseam is the safer choice for anyone wearing them somewhere semi-smart. Taller frames generally suit the longer length better, as a very short inseam can visually shorten the leg line.
What length of shorts is considered smart-casual?
A 7 to 9-inch inseam in a tailored cotton twill reads as smart-casual, particularly when paired with a collared shirt and leather sandals or loafers. Anything shorter tends to read as beachwear rather than daywear.
Can cotton shorts be worn in the office?
Tailored cotton twill shorts in navy or stone are increasingly accepted in relaxed summer dress codes, especially paired with a linen shirt, though this depends heavily on individual office policy. A structured waistband and clean finish help them read smarter than a drawstring pair.
How should men's shorts fit at the waist?
Shorts should sit comfortably at the natural waist without gaping at the back, with enough room to sit down without the waistband cutting in. A half-inch of ease is generally the right margin for cotton twill, which has minimal stretch.