Clothing > Shorts
9 Best Men’s Lounge Shorts for Relaxed Style
As I talk about all the time at WERD—and I mean all the time–a guy’s style rotation should have options aplenty, but not, well, too many options.
Personally, I try my best to curate a wardrobe that works for me – going for quality over quantity, even when dressing casually. That means making the right picks carefully so that you’re covered in every situation–literally and figuratively–and it also means “stepping things up” even when you don’t necessarily have to do so.
For example: A day spent at home, either on a WFH day or a casual weekend with the family. It’s OK to throw on just about anything, right? Not exactly. As I learned during many WFH days, it pays to dress just a bit better than normal – as in, trading in athletic shorts for a pair of the best lounge shorts.
- Casual style, upgraded: Wearing lounge shorts is about going the extra mile – sure, you could wear a pair of old athletic shorts, but why not ramp up your laidback style a bit?
- Functional fabric and fit: Lounge shorts come in a variety of fabrics, like breezy cotton-linen blends, durable-yet-soft cotton twill or even stretchy nylon or nylon blends – find which one works for you.
- WFH and warm-weather friendly: The best lounge shorts hit above the knee and come in cool colors and fabrics that you can even wear outside your home. Plus, they’re easy to throw on for WFH days.
Lounge shorts are made to be worn super casually, of course–it’s right in the name, after all– but more than that, the right pair of lounge shorts can act as a solid style move for off-duty weekend outings, even outside of the house.
And unlike a pair of baggy shorts from your college days, you’re going to feel better and look better while wearing them – style is all about the details, as I always say.
Still with me? The best lounge shorts can certainly be worn outside the house, especially if they’re made from breezy, comfortable fabric in a nicely tailored (but not overly tight!) fit.
You’re getting the best of both worlds, with details that often include a comfortable drawstring waistband and plentiful pockets, but with the same style you might find in a pair of stretch chino shorts.
Sure, you can’t quite dress up lounge shorts, but you can assuredly rock your favorite pair with a slub pocket tee and canvas sneakers for plentiful, casual warm-weather pursuits. That combination is one of my favorite summer style moves, and hopefully, you feel the same way. These picks will amp up your off-duty style in a major way.
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
Lululemon Soft Jersey Shorts
When you hang up your gym gear for the day, slide right back into the very same brand you trust to power your workouts – just with a more laidback, lounge-ready vibe.
Ultra-soft jersey cotton and a flattering shorter inseam make these perhaps the perfect casual short.
Nice Laundry Pocket Lounge Shorts
While some lounge shorts blend laidback details like a drawstring waistband with the classic construction of dressier shorts (like cotton twill fabric), others fully embrace comfort in the best way possible.
Take Nice Laundry’s fan-favorite lounge shorts. Stretch nylon fabric provides a touch of performance-minded comfort, while a Micromodal interior fabric is super-soft to the touch.
They’ve drawn rave reviews for the liner and the fabric itself, and the affordable price also makes them a standout style move.
Outerknown Hightide Sweatshorts
It’s not quite enough these days to make gear that looks great – a men’s casual clothing brand has to have a purpose, and Outerknown definitely has a purpose (beyond merely crafting some of the best lounge shorts, that is).
That means the brand uses fabrics like organic cotton and recycled polyester to craft these ultra-soft lounge shorts, giving back to the environment and improving your wardrobe in the process.
The oversized front patch pockets deliver crucial EDC storage space, but it’s the soft, towel-like fabric that makes these a real winning move.
Vuori Ponto Shorts
Remember what I said about stepping up your wardrobe in as many ways as possible? Vuori makes it easy to upgrade your off-duty dressing, and the difference really is in the details. I’m a big fan of Vuori’s durable, high-performing athletic gear, and here’s a secret.
The same moisture-wicking, super-soft material that goes into its athletic shorts and T-shirts is found in these lounge shorts. I approve of the design, the soft stretch and the endless wearability in easygoing style situations, like a weekend coffee run or a park stroll.
Think of your old college athletic logo shorts, and then forget everything you knew about ‘em, because Vuori’s DreamKnit fabric blend truly is next-level in terms of quality and comfort.
Fair Harbor The One Short
Fair Harbor might have launched with a razor-sharp focus on swimwear and sustainability, but the company has grown quickly while sticking to its core values: Stylish, laidback clothing that’s polished–and yet still supremely comfortable.
Make no mistake, I’m a huge fan of the brand’s colorful, durable and yet soft swimwear, so it’s a thrill to see them expand into stylish loungewear.
The aptly named One Shorts hit all the right notes in terms of comfort, good looks and all-day wearability– those are three keys I look for even in my off-duty wardrobe. In fact, you might even say they could be the only ones you need in terms of the best lounge shorts.
Amazon Essentials Knit Pajama Shorts
The best lounge shorts tend to simplify your wardrobe – don’t reach for a pair of baggy athletic shorts the next time you want lightweight summer comfort.
Instead, opt for a soft cotton jersey pair with a drawstring waistband – as a matter of fact, these lounge shorts from Amazon’s in-house Essentials brand are so affordable, you can pick up multiple pairs to get you through your next WFH week. Plus, there are plentiful color options to suit every style.
L.L. Bean Dock Shorts
Summer style savings and summer fun in the sun – what could be better? L.L. Bean gives you easy access to both by way of these durable-yet-comfortable cotton twill shorts, which feature a modern 6-inch inseam and an easy-on cotton drawstring waistband.
These are the kind of shorts practically designed for lazy days at the dock or on the water, cold beer in hand, and they come in a wide range of classic colors. The next time you pack up your weekender bag, make sure a pair or two of L.L. Bean’s Dock Shorts are included.
Alo Yoga Chill Shorts
There’s hardly a thing these Alo Yoga shorts can’t do, at least when it comes to casually cool pursuits and weekend lounging. Super-soft French Terry fabric provides comfort right out of the box, while the fit should prove flattering on multiple body types.
Faherty Essential Drawstring Shorts
Faherty draws inspiration from easygoing coastal climates, sea breezes, the sun and the sand – it makes perfect sense that they’d dream up a pair of the best lounge shorts.
These boast a soft organic cotton-blend fabric and a lived-in wash that can even be classed up with an French Terry polo.
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