When it comes to hemlines in the womenswear department they seem to change a bit every year; rising and dropping in line with the latest trends. This year menswear shorts are doing the same thing. Hemlines are dropping and long shorts seem to dominate the SS2016 menswear image. Balmain, Armani and Dsquared are just a few of the brands covering the longer short for summer. Yet the fact that they’re all at knee length might be just about the one thing those shorts have in common. Animal printed (Coach), bright pink (Dsquared), double layered (Balmain), baby blue and 7/8 (Emporio Armani); more is a bore doesn’t apply here. They came in heavy; leather look (and some palmtrees) at Dsquared and suede at Fendi, silky: at Philip Lim and Dolce & Gabbana, sophisticated; Gucci and Jil Sander and ultra casual; Long and Kenzo. Proof that you can go either way with this year’s summer short. Whether office ready or beach bound; any man should be able to smoothly work the short into this season’s wardrobe. And most importantly: have a little fun while he’s at it. Donatella Versace is showing just how that is done, sending out her male models in head to toe lilac looks, shorts worn over trousers. Out of the box, indeed!
P.S. For those who will never give into the man wearing shorts-trend: just drop it. Hermes, Neil Barett, Walter van Beirendock, Haider Ackermann, Valentino, Thom Browne and Saint Laurent skipped shorts all along this season.
P.S.2 For those guys who prefer showing a little more leg we’ve got a trend report on extra short shorts (by the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada) coming up in two weeks.