Can I Wear a Suit With Shorts?

In the ever-evolving landscape of men's fashion, innovation often arises from the unexpected. As the seasons change and the mercury rises, the rigid confines of traditional suiting begin to adapt to the demands of comfort and style. Enter the audacious yet debonair trend—pairing shorts with a suit. The allure of tailored shorts combined with the sophistication of a suit presents an opportunity for a fashion-forward statement.

Men's suits typically consist of long-length trousers with a matching suit jacket. A two-piece suit only includes these two items, whereas a three-piece suit also includes a vest or waistcoat. When the warm summer weather arrives, however, you may prefer shorter trousers rather than the conventional long-length trousers associated with men's suits. While shorts don't offer the same level of formality as long-length pants, you can still wear them with a suit. But there are a few things you need to know when wearing shorts with a suit.

Choose Trouser Shorts

You shouldn't wear just any pair of shorts with a suit. Rather, stick with trouser shorts. What are trouser shorts exactly? Trouser shorts are formal or semi-formal shorts featuring the same fabric and construction used in trousers. Traditional suit trousers extend all the way to your ankles, but trouser shorts usually stop around the knees. The defining characteristic of trouser shorts, however, is their trouser-like design. They are made of the same fabric as traditional suit trousers, making them ideal to wear with a suit.

Match Your Trouser Shorts With Your Suit Jacket

When choosing a pair of trouser shorts to wear with a suit, make sure the color matches your suit jacket. Most two- and three-piece suits are sold with a pair of trousers and a matching suit jacket. But if you're planning to wear trouser shorts, you may have to purchase these garments separately. As a result, you may end up with trouser shorts in a different color than your suit jacket. Whether you're shopping Suit online or locally, choose a pair of trouser shorts in the same color as the suit jacket with which you intend to wear it. Along with the other tips described here, this will help you create a more stylish and formal outfit.

Check the Length

Of course, you should pay attention to the length when choosing a pair of trouser shorts to wear with a suit. If they are too short or too long, they may cause discomfort when worn for long periods at a time -- not to be mention the fact that undersized or oversized short trousers look awkward and unattractive. You can find trouser shorts available in a variety of lengths, though most stop at or around the knees when worn. Knee-length trouser shorts offer a delicate balance between comfort and formality, so you really can't go wrong with this length.

Choose a Lightweight Fabric

Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when choosing trouser shorts to wear with a suit jacket is the fabric. Like regular suit trousers, trouser shorts are available in a variety of fabrics. Some of these fabrics are heavy, whereas others are lighter. Being that trouser shorts are typically worn during the spring and summer months, it's recommended that you choose a lightweight fabric. Cotton is a popular choice for trouser shorts, but that doesn't necessarily mean you must wear cotton. Linen is arguably a better choice of fabric for trouser shorts because it's lighter and, therefore, more comfortable to wear in warm or hot weather. 

Accessorize With a Necktie or Bow Tie

Even when wearing trouser shorts with a suit, you should still accessorize your outfit with either a necktie or bow tie. Neckties, of course, are characterized by a long and narrow piece of fabric that sits vertically down the front of your shirt. In comparison, bow ties are smaller and sit directly at the top front of your shirt. You can accessorize your suit with a necktie or bow tie, but keep in mind that bow ties are slightly more formal than their necktie counterparts. As a result, neckties are often preferred when wearing trouser shorts because their level of formality is aligned with that of the trouser shorts.

Choose the Right Dress Shirt

You should always choose an appropriate dress shirt when wearing a suit, but this is particularly important when wearing trouser shorts. With trouser shirts, greater emphasis will be placed on your upper body. If you wear the wrong dress shirt, it will have a damaging effect on your appearance. So, what type of dress shirt should you wear with trouser shorts? Stick with a formal button-up dress shirt in a color that contrasts with that of your trouser shorts and suit jacket.

Wear Short Shoes 

Don't forget to wear short shoes with your suit. You can wear taller shoes with traditional trousers, as the bottom of the trousers will partially conceal them. But wearing trouser shorts means your shoes will be completely exposed and visible for the world to see. If your shoes are too tall -- meaning they rise several inches up and past your ankles -- it will look awkward and unflattering. To prevent this from happening, you need to wear short shoes with your suit. You don't have to necessarily wear flip-flops or sandals. Rather, choose a pair of formal shoes with a short length.

Wear Short Socks

Of course, wearing short shoes is only effective if you complement them with a pair of equally short socks. Many men prefer taller socks over shorter socks. With tall socks, a greater portion of your ankles and legs will be covered by fabric, which is useful during cold weather. But you really don't need the added warmth during the spring and summer months. On the contrary, wearing tall socks with trouser shorts will hurt the aesthetics of your outfit. Instead of wearing tall socks, stick with short socks that rise no further than your ankles.

Don't Forget the Belt

Finally, don't forget to wear a belt with your suit. Trouser shorts require the use of a belt to achieve a formal, stylish appearance. Even if your trouser shorts fit properly, you should still wear a belt with them. A high-quality leather belt will define your waistline by separating your trouser shorts from your dress shirt and suit jacket, all while introducing new colors into your outfit.