Men’s Plaid Shorts & Men’s Printed Shorts

Take a look at your wardrobe. Do you already have plenty of plain khaki options for the warmer months? Isn’t it time you mix that up by giving your wardrobe some character? With men’s plaid shorts and men’s printed shorts in your wardrobe, your outfits can look fun, casual, and stand out from the usual fare. Here are some feature designs and a few tips and tricks to help you pull off these bold looks.

How to Wear Plaids and Prints Consistently

Generally, when you’re wearing a pair of men’s plaid shorts, it should be the “star” of your outfit. That means wearing generally complementary and versatile clothes everywhere else. For example, if you’re wearing a plaid shirt, you don’t want polka dots on your shorts, and vice versa.

But what does “complementary” really mean? Let’s take a look at some examples:

  • The Authentic Madras Short in Pink is a bold look for some outfits. Yet relative to the options you have available to you, it’s also a bit on the “light” side in terms of visual weight. What should you wear on top? Our suggestion: a navy polo shirt. This pairs well with the light blues and pinks of the short and complements the shorts well without overwhelming the outfit.
  • If you’re wearing something like the Americana Color Block Short, it carries even more bold visual weight, so you’ll want to cool that down with something very simple on top: a plain white button down shirt, for example. Pair the navy polo with this option and there’s a good chance it will look like too much blue.

Defining a “complementary” piece in your wardrobe can be difficult to grasp at first, but with practice, you’ll get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. As a rule of thumb, keep the rest of your clothes and accessories simple so that your plaid and printed shorts can draw the eye.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New

Americana on the Fourth of July? That’s a slam dunk. But there are a lot of other colors across the spectrum that could merit space in your dresser.

Authentic Madras in Orange is a great example. This is a unique men’s plaid shorts pattern with some fantastic colors. It’s easy to pair these with white, of course—because white is always a great go-to for these kinds of shorts. But as you get used to wearing plaids and prints, don’t be afraid to try new items as well.

Our suggestion: try a few accessories. A watch with a brown leather band, for example, can complement these shorts well. And look at the shirts you already have in your wardrobe to see if there are interesting pairings you hadn’t considered.

Shop Vintage 1946 Today

Men’s plaid shorts and printed shorts are just one type of short among the many offerings here at Vintage 1946. To find the perfect vintage shorts you need this year, keep browsing our selections and find the shorts that best suit your individual style.