The Best Men’s Lounge Shorts for Kicking Back in 2023

By Beau Hayhoe | Updated July 22, 2022

Courtesy of Todd Snyder

As we talk about all the time at WERD—and we mean all the time–a guy’s style rotation should have options aplenty, but not, well, too many options. 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.

This is where a pair of the best lounge shorts comes into play. Lounge shorts are made to be worn super casually, of course–it’s right in the name, after all–but moreso than that, the right pair of lounge shorts can act as a stand-in and a solid style move for off-duty weekend outings, even outside of the house.

Yes, that’s right: 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, often including 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. As ever, these WERD picks will amp up your off-duty style in a major way.

For more shorts options, view our list of the Best Men’s Shorts for Summer

Todd Snyder Weekend Shorts

$98

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Todd Snyder is a master when it comes to all manner of menswear essentials, particularly tailored wear and classy picks like polos and sweaters, but he’s got the rest of your wardrobe squared away, too.

Take the aptly named Weekend Shorts. It’s the stretch twill cotton blend fabric that gives them more polish than your average pair of lounge shorts, and the garment-dyed fabric is a visually interesting touch, too. Plus, the 7-inch inseam works well on guys of most heights and body types.

Five Four Newport Twill Shorts

$35

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The best lounge shorts are made to nail easygoing style, sure, but that doesn’t mean they have to lean too hard into athletic short vibes–you’re going to want to wear them in regular style situations aside from the gym, too.

Five Four’s cotton-spandex blend shorts give you the polish of regular chino shorts, and the comfort and stretch of lounge shorts, and they do so at a shockingly low price.

Vuori Ponto Shorts

$78

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Remember what we 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. The key with these lounge shorts is the fabric, which goes above and beyond a pair of shorts you’d normally wear when kicked back.

For instance: 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

$68

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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 still polished–and yet still supremely comfortable.

The aptly named One Shorts hit all the right notes in terms of comfort, good looks and all-day wearability–you might even say they could be the only ones you need in terms of the best lounge shorts.

Relwen Surfmesh Sprint Short

$113

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The brand frequently draws inspiration from old-school military styles, and this double-sided, cotton-mesh blend pair is both a perfect throwback homage and a fresh, modern pair to buy now. The ribbed, elastic waist won’t bunch or ride up, and a zip back pocket is a handy touch, too.