By Gabi Meyers | Last Updated: May 10 2024 | 6 min read
Are khaki shorts in style? That’s like asking if a Drumstick is the best treat to buy from an ice cream truck. Because the answer is obviously an emphatic YES.
Like springing for a delicious ice cream treat on a hot day, men’s chino shorts outfits will forever be a good idea in the summer.
Sure, you can always get more creative with your summer style. You could opt for linen shorts or patterned shorts even, but sometimes you want to go for a totally timeless look.
Like chino pants, a pair of khaki- or tan-colored chino shorts is a total men’s style classic.
If you were to go bare minimum on your shorts wardrobe, these bottoms would seamlessly get you through every summer situation.
A quick note on the terminology in this guide on how to style khaki shorts:
What are chino-style shorts? And are they different from khaki shorts?
Well, yes and no.
Khaki is a color—a tan or beige hue. Chino is a material—a durable cotton fabric that’s often used in men’s pants and shorts.
So, chino shorts can be khaki, like the pair in the middle, above. Chino shorts could also be blue—those would be blue chino shorts. Or pink. Pink chino shorts. Or black. Or red! You get the idea.
Here we’ll focus on khaki-colored chino shorts, just to keep things simple.
Below, 5 chino shorts outfits for guys:
Monday
SG Says: Elevate your shorts with an artfully-draped sweater.
It means that whatever else you wear, like sneakers and a tall sock, look that much more elegant.
Tuesday
SG Says: Pops of red are a great way to make an otherwise neutral-colored outfit feel more impactful.
You could go with a red hat, red shoes, or in this case, both.
Wednesday
SG Says: Stripes and dots? Why not?
Yes, there’s a lot going on in this outfit. If it feels like too much, you can always pick one pattern or color to focus on instead.
Thursday
SG Says: Pairing your khaki shorts with a casually unbuttoned shirt and horsebit loafers? It’s giving Summer Friday! Pass that man an Aperol spritz.
RELATED: How to Dress for an Italian Summer Vacation
Friday
SG Says: One of the easiest, most stylish summer outfits. Tall socks with your favorite stylish sneakers and a graphic tee. Easy. Cool. Done.
Shop the best chino shorts for guys:
Both the Flint & Tinder shorts and the J.Crew shorts above come in a 5″ inseam and a 7″ inseam, as well as several more neutral hues, from navy to olive to black.
When it comes to what to wear with khaki shorts, consider these bottoms a neutral base for all kinds of outfits, from casual to more dressy.
Want to dress your shorts up a little? Look for interesting details like a cuffed leg, or pleats. You might not wear them everyday, but they’re good to have on hand for extra sophistication in the summer.
What shoes to wear with khaki shorts
From sneakers to slip-ons to espadrilles, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to shoes to wear with chino shorts.
When it comes to figuring out how to wear khaki shorts with the right shoes, don’t overthink it! You can dress them up with a breezy button-down shirt and loafers. But you can also wear them totally casually, with a t-shirt and sneakers or slip-ons. And any of these shorts would look great with Birkenstock clogs. Just saying!
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