While it does come in three different washes (light wash, rinse, and black wash), none of them are particularly compelling. Give us more washes, Uniqlo. There are plenty of cheaper options on the market, some that cost as low as just twenty bucks. But the law of diminishing returns is a two-way street and we’ve found that the couple bucks you save isn’t worth the downgrade in quality.
Best Upgrade Denim Shorts: Carhartt Work In Progress Indigo Double Knee Denim Shorts
Materials: 13.5oz cotton denim | Fit: Relaxed fit
While the legendary heritage brand Carhartt doesn’t make denim shorts, its younger, hipper sibling does—and to the same freakishly high standards. These work jorts feature the brand’s sturdy Smith fabric, a heavyweight 13.5 oz. cotton denim, in a perfect stonewash, roomy fit, ever-so-slightly-above-the-knee length, and pockets aplenty. Whether you’ll actually get around to using said pockets is another story, but you’ll look cool regardless.
If the carpenter shorts vibe with its double knees and extraneous pockets sound like a bunch of riff raff to you, don’t worry. Carhartt WIP offers its Smith denim in a variety of short styles including a single-knee version of these shorts as well as a more straight-forward five-pocket design.
Best Dressy Denim Shorts: J.Crew Relaxed Pleated Chambray Shorts
Materials: Cotton chambray | Fit: Straight
Unless you’re Bing Crosby looking to spite a hoity-toity establishment, you’ll never need to wear denim to a formal affair. But you could simply wear dressy denim just because you want to. In the summer time, we’d suggest a pair of mid-thigh jean shorts with a mid-high rise and crisp pleats. That’s exactly what J.Crew offers. The one nitpick is that its shorts are technically chambray and not denim. But who are you? The denim police? Throw these on with loafers or boat shoes, and a breezy linen shirt for some East Coast energy, or even with a linen blazer and a knit polo to attend that very casual destination wedding.
Best Denim Shorts for Denim Nerds: Tender Type 140 Cross Cut Trews Shorts
Materials: Cotton taunton | Fit: Regular fit
Small-batch artisanal jorts sounds like a meme overdose or AI vomit. Ye of little faith. Such a thing does, in fact, exist and they’re way cooler than you think. Ultra-indie label Tender produces these shorts in a variety of materials, each dyed using natural dyes like indigo, woad, madder, and ochre. Construction details include triple-needle stitching and copper rivets, but the real magic comes with Tender’s clever use of darts which give the rear shape without a yoke and fits the hips without using side seams. For the dudes who have no clue what that means, don’t worry. Maybe these jorts aren’t for you, but the translation is this: fly shit.
Best Raw Denim Shorts: Stussy Big ‘Ol Denim Shorts
Materials: Cotton | Fit: Baggy
SoCal’s very own Stussy has been pushing the denim shorts propaganda for several seasons and it is working. Every season, its Big ‘Ol denim shorts sell through faster than you can button up your fly. The endless queues are a major turnoff, but the hype is real. With hardy, beefy denim, top-tier construction, and a dialed-in baggy fit, the Big ‘Ol jorts are worth every penny. They pair well with a relaxed hoodie and canvas sneakers, of course. But we also like to pair the raw denim versions with a dressier button-up shirt and derbies for a high-low look.
More Denim Shorts We Love
How to Style Denim Shorts in 2025
We’ve been riding high on the jorts wave for a while, but if their resurgence is still throwing you for a loop there’s plenty of ways to pull ‘em off without looking like you’re about to mount a fixed-gear bike. The key, of course, comes down to fit. Think big. Big, baggy, and very long. Like, below-the-knee long. With some equally roomy graphic tees and Doc Martens, the right pair can pack all the bravado of a mosh pit-prone hardcore fan. But there’s also room for the more sultry and revealing denim shorts that reach above the mid-thigh, shorter than the sanctioned 5” inseams menswear has been touting for years. Think ‘70s level with some vacation-ready sandals or low-profile canvas kicks.
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Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
