The Best Denim Shorts for Men Have Crossed the Rubicon

Don't be alarmed, but denim shorts for men are back. For some of you, that might be triggering information, so before you close this tab to rage-vent in our various comment sections, hear us out.

First of all, jorts never really went away. We're not saying they were always cool, but mall brands—and, uh, Kevin Smith—kept the jorts train chugging along well past the style’s early-aughts zenith. Jump cut to 2024 and Y2K fashion is all the rage again, jorts included (not to mention their fellow era-specific eyesore, Crocs). Niche Japanese brands like Kapital and Neighborhood have been selling jorts unironically for years; now, mainstream luxury players like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton are hopping on board, too. Today, bona fide fashion gods like A$AP Rocky, Justin Bieber, and Tyler, the Creator are hip to the trend, following in the footsteps of envelope-pushing jorts pioneers like Adam Sandler and John Cena.

Jorts might slot in seamlessly with the bubbly, slime-soaked stylings of the 2000s, but they also speak to a wholly different demographic: dads. It’s probably not news to you that the once-banal wardrobe hallmarks of unfashionable patriarchs are suddenly en vogue. Their comfy New Balance sneakers have never been hotter, their course-ready polos have never looked cooler, and it was only a matter of time before their beloved denim shorts joined them in the limelight.

Admittedly, we’ve been riding high on the jorts wave for a while, but if their resurgence is still throwing you for a loop there’s plenty of ways to pull ‘em off without looking like you're about to mount a fixed-gear bike. The key, of course, comes down to fit. A proper pair of jorts should be big, baggy, and—take a deep breath—long. Like, below-the-knee long. With an equally roomy tee and some Doc Martens, the right pair can pack all the bravado of a mosh pit-prone hardcore fan. In a deep, dark rinse, and with a billowy button-up and loafers, jorts can be surprisingly elegant, too. (If you've got a baggy pair of jeans that's a little too thrashed to wear outside the house, you can even DIY your way to a wholly unique pair, frayed edges and all.)

Point is, there are just about a million ways to celebrate their glorious return, so we pulled together a few of our favorites to help you enjoy the ride.

The Best Denim Shorts for Men, According to GQ

• The Best Denim Shorts Overall: Levi's 469 Loose 12" Shorts, $50
• The Best Budget Denim Shorts: Lee Regular-Fit Denim Short, $32
• The Best Hard-Working Denim Shorts: Randy's Garments Straight-Leg Denim Shorts, $185
• The Best Designer Denim Shorts: Acne Studios Loose Fit Shorts, $650
• The Best Easy, Elegant Denim Shorts: Drake's High Waist Denim Drawstring Shorts, $295
• The Best “Go Big or Go Home” Denim Shorts: Loewe x Paula's Ibiza Denim Shorts, $950

Best Denim Shorts Overall: Levi's 469 Loose Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Wide | Colors: Varies | Sizes: 28-44

To absolutely no one's surprise, the first name in jeans also makes our go-to jorts. Levi's' denim shorts are likely the image that pops into your head when you think of the category, and that's no coincidence. We like the 469 fit for its '90s-esque loose and breezy silhouette, sturdy, all-cotton denim, and range of washes. The 12" inseam (footlong, baby!) may be intimidating for some folks, but the extra inches are more versatile than you think, especially with the slightly above average rise. And of course, you can easily have them hemmed to your preferred length or chopped off with a raw hem for some retro action.

Best Budget Denim Shorts: Lee Regular-Fit Denim Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Straight | Colors: Varies | Sizes: 28-42

Jorts don’t have to be a complicated purchase, and they definitely don't have to be an expensive one. So if you’re looking for a pair that’ll get the job done (the job being looking good) at a very digestible price, Lee’s regular-fit denim shorts are what we suggest. They come in a regular fit and hit just above the knee. Plus, the all-cotton fabric is substantial enough to take plenty of bails and spills. For just $30, it’s a no-brainer.

Best Hard-Working Denim Shorts: Randy's Garments Straight-Leg Denim Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Relaxed, knee-length | Colors: Dark wash, light wash, off-white | Sizes: 30-36

Workwear is firmly planted in the menswear universe, and whether your style leans into the utilitarian aesthetic or you actually need a pair of shorts that can take a lickin', Randy's Garments is well worth a look. These shorts are made of a beefy 12-ounce denim, cut and sewn in New York City, and feature utility pockets on both legs. Most workwear brands offer hard-wearing shorts, but very few offer them in a true denim fabric. And even fewer are as well-made and as stylish as these.

Best Designer Denim Shorts: Acne Studios Loose Fit Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Wide, knee-length | Colors: one | Sizes: EU42-54

If you're here for pure fashion, we've got you. There's no bigger trend in jeans right now than printed denim, and specifically trompe l'oeil. Labels like Maison Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Our Legacy have all tapped into the technique, but Acne Studios has pushed it to the brink with hyper-realistic details that include paint splatters and chaps. For summer, Acne has taken it to jorts territory with this ultra-baggy number which features a dirty fade and a gang of chains and carabiners.

Best Easy, Elegant Denim Shorts: Drake's High Waist Denim Drawstring Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Relaxed, mid-thigh | Colors: Varies | Sizes: S-XL

Drake's drawstring shorts are proof that you can wear denim on vacation mode (because even the hardest-working fabrics need a break). The pull-on shorts feature an adjustable elastic waist, a roomy cut, mid-thigh length, slanted hand pockets, and rear patch pockets. They've got a throwback late-'80s/early-'90s vibe that pairs well with some retro sneakers and a vintage tee, but also look excellent with a button-up shirt and fancy leather sandals.

Best “Go Big or Go Home” Denim Shorts: Loewe X Paula's Ibiza Denim Shorts

Material: 100% cotton | Fit: Wide, long | Colors: Varies | Sizes: IT46-56

We’re thankful to be living in an age where all shorts inseams and silhouettes are stylish. But the most daring shorts silhouettes blur the line between shorts and pants. Yes, bermuda shorts, capris, culottes—whatever you call them, they’re the shorts that dare to venture into the middle of the no man’s land between the knee and the ankle. It’s the last frontier of the shorts explorers and if you prefer your shorts to be made of denim, look no further than Loewe’s big blue bermudas. Part of Loewe’s collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza, these massive shorts have one foot in vacation-mode and the other in dressy-town. The dark denim has a slight sheen, the fat pleats are striking and slick. (These are the shorts that would swallow Paul Bunyan.) For us, the bigger the shorts, the bigger the fit, and there’s no bigger shorts than these.

More Denim Shorts We Love