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4 min readTHREE, FOUR SUMMERS ago, you wouldn't have caught me in baggy shorts, let alone a denim pair. I used to stick to shorter inseams and slimmer silhouettes—not to mention I like my shorts to feel light and somewhat tailored in the warmer months. Personally, I’m not a fan of the Adam Sandler-esque aesthetic where massive, oversized pieces are swallowing me whole. But my, how the tables have turned—not in that sense, of course. But it should be a crime how many times I’ve worn Abercrombie’s Baggy Denim Short since May.
It might be because the baggy trend has taken menswear by storm, but either way, I’ve grown to appreciate relaxed fits—and grown a little in muscle as well. To my surprise, I’ve been able to style these shorts more ways than I imagined without feeling uncomfortable, even through the steamy New York summer we’ve endured. My job is pretty chill, so they’ve seen the four walls of my office plenty of times and come with me on a number of vacations, too. I’m really not exaggerating when I say this: they’ve been my favorite pair of shorts to throw on all season.
Pros
- Offers plenty of breathing room in the thighs
- Baggy silhouettes are on trend right
- Easy to style with multiple outfits
- Keeps structure after several washes
- Flattering for tall guys
Cons
- Might not be as flattering on short kings
The Fabric and Fit
As I said, these days I’m really into the relaxed, easygoing feel of my clothes. They’re just more comfortable that way and less likely to make me feel a sticky mess once the temps spike. Abercrombie’s baggy denim shorts fit the same bill. The cut is loose in the thigh and sits high on the waist. With a 10-inch inseam, the hem hits above the knee, but I never felt like the fabric was ballooning around my legs. I could feel a gust of air hit my legs whenever a breeze passed. They’re made from the brand’s authentic 100% cotton authentic rigid denim, so they felt stiff in the beginning. After a few washes, though, the fabric softened and developed a little more give without losing that structured denim feel. When I would sit at my desk, there was a little but of bunching, but nothing too crazy. They’re not exactly lightweight, but they’re far from feeling like a heavy pair of jeans chopped at the knee. And while I initially worried that the wide leg would make me look like I’m drowning in fabric, the proportions actually felt pretty balanced on my frame.
The Styling Opportunity
The styling possibilities are probably what sold me on these shorts the most. I initially thought the baggier cut would box me into a certain type of outfit, but I’ve found myself reaching for them in situations I never would have imagined a few summers ago. On vacation, I kept things simple with a tank top and sandals. For a garden dinner, I took the shorts in a completely different direction with a blazer, tee, and loafers. Somehow, the denim didn’t feel too casual; the blazer and loafers gave the whole thing enough polish to make sense for a nicer setting. Then there’s the office, where I’ve worn them with a crisp button-down and torpedo sneakers. That outfit has become one of my favorite ways to wear them because the structured shirt and streamlined sneakers balance out the volume of the shorts. I’ve basically realized that the baggier the short, the more fun I can have with everything else.
BUY ABERCROMBIE BAGGY DENIM SHORT
Verdict
The funny thing is, I didn't think I was going to like these shorts this much. I’ve spent years convincing myself that shorts should be short and tailored—never long enough to risk being mistaken for capris. Then the trends started happening, and I began seeing some of my favorite fashion guys, like A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams, making room for a little more volume. Maybe they were onto something. The extra room makes a difference on those brutally hot days, while the rigid denim gives them enough structure to still look clean. And because the cut is so relaxed, I can take them in completely different directions depending on where I’m headed. There’s something to be said about a pair of shorts that rack up some serious mileage. I’ve worn them on vacation, to the office, on the weekend, and out to dinner. At $40, I also don’t have to overthink the purchase. They’re affordable enough to experiment with a silhouette you might normally avoid, which is exactly what I did. I thought I was buying a pair of baggy shorts. Turns out, I found myself buying into a completely different way of dressing for summer.
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Levi's Men's 454 Relaxed Shorts
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As the Style and Reviews Editor for Men's Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
