M&S says it's ‘thigh guy summer', but are you brave enough to bare your legs?

Telegraph

2 days ago

With Wimbledon in full swing, you don't have to look far to see a surfeit of men in shorts. Only this summer, shorts aren't solely contained within the grassy environs of Centre Court.
Whether they've been influenced by Carlos Alcaraz or Harry Styles, more men than seems probable have decided that shorts are the new black, the new jeans and the new must-buy, even if they last picked up a tennis racket in primary school.
So prevalent is the look that Marks & Spencer has even given it a name. According to the high street retailer, it's going to be a 'thigh guy summer'. Given we've already had a 'hot girl summer', a 'tomato girl summer' and a ' Brat summer ', perhaps it's only fair that men are the focus of fashion's latest microtrend.
'From runways to city streets, men everywhere are embracing the rising hemlines of the 'thigh guy summer' trend – a bold return to short shorts that's redefining masculinity, confidence and comfort in menswear,' claims M&S.
'As temperatures climb, so do inseams, with fashion-forward men ditching knee-length chinos and cargos in favour of five-inch (and preferably shorter) cuts that deliver on both style and personality. No longer reserved for the gym and swimwear, today's short shorts are tailored, stylish and unapologetically thigh-baring.'
Improbable as this may seem to those who are married to their summer chinos and balk at baring an ankle, never mind a thigh or knee, M&S says it has the statistics to back its claims, citing a recent survey that found 66 per cent of men reported liking the 'short shorts' trend, while 76 per cent said they felt more body confident than ever before.
Data from Google echoes this, with searches for 'men's short shorts' up 138 per cent. On TikTok, meanwhile, the #shortshorts hashtag appears in 113,000 videos and counting.
'I'm very here for thigh guy summer, and think it's good that short shorts are becoming a staple in lots of guys' wardrobes – myself included,' says the stylist Peter Bevan.
'My go-to length is around the mid-thigh, and I'd suggest always going for a roomy fit – it should only be your legs on show, so absolutely avoid anything which could be described as 'revealing'.' He suggests following Paul Mescal's lead at Glastonbury and wearing cotton boxer shorts as outerwear, or opting for retro sports shorts teamed with a big shirt.
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Adam Brown, co-founder of Orlebar Brown, believes the short short trend is part of a resurgence of interest in classic Fifties and Sixties styles, as seen in iconic films such as 1969's Easy Rider.
'It was a time when people had a much more romantic and carefree approach to life, especially on vacation,' he says. 'We've particularly noticed the trend on the beaches of southern France and Italy, as well as in the Hamptons and Miami.'
The brand's swim and day shorts now come in a variety of lengths, including shorter styles. Brown says that this summer's bestseller is a bold pink floral design adapted from artwork by the artist Sarah Graham.
Understandably, the short short look divides opinion. 'It's interesting they're so divisive,' says Bevan, who thinks the hotter weather could be fuelling the trend. 'People just need to get used to the idea of seeing guys' legs above the knee rather than thinking it's a big fashion statement, especially when it's over 30 degrees.'
Bevan doesn't believe there's an upper age limit for wearing shorter shorts.
'As with any shorts, the key is in the styling. If you're wearing them for a relaxed weekend look, go for sports shorts with a T-shirt. If you're dressing up, try tailored shorts and a polo shirt. If you wear them in an unconsidered way, though, they can easily look like they're not working. And then there's context to think about. They're not really appropriate for a formal event or for certain venues.'
Luke Jefferson Day, editor of menswear magazine Man About Town, has been wearing short shorts for years. 'It's all about fit, and making sure they aren't too tight or too short,' he counsels. 'I love them with loafers, trainers, even Crocs. A shorter short also tends to be more flattering on a man's leg. They're great for showing off your hard work in the gym.'
Which is all very well for gym buffs, cyclists and tennis players, but less encouraging for those whose main form of exercise is lifting a pint to their lips. Without doubt, short shorts are a flex: it's unlikely that Harry Styles, Paul Mescal and Alexander Skarsgård would be wearing them so readily if their legs weren't toned. At the recent menswear shows in Paris and Milan, the hottest accessory wasn't a Dior book tote but a highly honed quad.
So how do you get them? 'If you're aiming for that sharp, sculpted thigh look, focus on exercises like Bulgarian split squats, walking lunges, and step-ups – they target the quadriceps while also building overall leg shape and balance,' advises fitness coach Matt Kendrick, founder of MK Health. 'For real definition, consistency is key, along with keeping body fat low through smart nutrition and cardio. Training legs split between quadriceps, calves and hamstrings twice a week is a solid starting point.'
Or you could stick to wearing chinos.
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