Who wears short shorts? You wear short shorts! Or, at least, you’re the most acceptable candidate for them. For the man with shorter legs, a standard-length pair of shorts may fall too long on their body, so a pair with an inseam north of seven inches may fair better and ensure aren’t hanging over the knees. Ideally you want shorts with a taper, too: a wider silhouette this can emphasise your (presumably) shorter height (not that there’s anything wrong with it), so you’ll want to opt for a pair that gets narrower the closer they come to the knee to create a more streamlined silhouette. Cotton is king for comfort, but with shorter shorts, you can also opt for a pair with textural details – perhaps go for studded or distressed denim, or cotton-blend corduroy.

For taller men, the key with shorts is to avoid looking like you’re just wearing underwear, so, simple enough, longer shorts, which touch just below the knee, are the optimal choice. The obvious choice would be a lengthy, plain pair of chinos, but you can also dare to be more creative. The benefit of longer shorts is that the extra fabric allows room for more interesting designs, patterns and character, which mean you can be more expressive in the shorts you wear. Take advantage of the artistic freedom afforded by your longer legs and go for a vibrant print or a patchwork design or even something geometric.

Whether you’ve been blasting your quads in the gym, or you’re just naturally blessed with stallion thighs, the absolute priority is comfort – who cares how smart or stylish the shorts are if your thighs are chafing? It is therefore imperative to avoid slim-fitting styles and opt for shorts that are ample and roomy, allowing for air to pass through and your thighs to move and breathe. The benefit is that wide-leg shorts are some of the most elegant in material and design – we love neutral-coloured, embroidered, billowy linen and pleated shorts. These will sway gently in the breeze and help keep your legs cool. Alternatively for more casual and fun dressing, opt for mesh shorts and cotton-blend styles.

If you have very slender legs, ignore everything we’ve said so far. With slim legs, avoid oversized or baggy shorts because these emphasise and exaggerate the slimness of your legs by the basics logics of contrast. Instead, choose a slim, straight-legged and tapered style that’s close to the actual dimensions of your legs. But of course, anyone can have an issue with excessive tightness so an adjustable waistband and breathable, lightweight materials such as silk and linen are best to avoid feeling claustrophobic.

If you’re someone with an active lifestyle, you likely already spend a lot of time in shorts. But the key question is how you separate the shorts you’ve picked for your morning run or CrossFit classes from the shorts you wear in social settings where there’s no elliptical machine in sight. An ideal choice is a smart cargo short, perhaps of the Loro Piana variety. These create enough visual distinction from athleisure, while also signalling that you’re a man concerned with the utility and function of garments as much as how they look. Take advantage of those multiple, deep pockets, which can fit a pedometer, wireless earbuds, or a pack of vitamin C tablets.