Look, I love a good pair of jeans as much as the next bloke, but denim shorts in summer are a crime. You know that sticky, sweaty feeling when you sit on a plastic chair? That’s denim shorts. Cargo shorts, on the other hand, make you look like you’re about to carry the entire contents of a hardware store in your pockets. Not cute.
Chino shorts hit that sweet spot: they’re smart enough for a casual office or a nice dinner, but relaxed enough for a trip to the pub. Marks & Spencer nailed this balance, I swear. The fabric is just thick enough to hold their shape, but light enough that you won’t feel like you’re wearing a tent. You can dress them up with a linen shirt or dress them down with a faded band tee. Versatility, my friends, is the secret sauce.
The Fit: Not Too Tight, Not Too Baggy—Just Right
Here’s where most brands mess up: they either make shorts that cling to your thighs like a desperate ex, or they make them so baggy you could hide a small dog in the leg opening. M&S got the memo. Their chino shorts have a straight leg that sits just above the knee—no hipster cuffs, no parachute action. The length is key: too short and you look like you’re auditioning for a 1980s tennis movie; too long and you look like a lost tourist.
I bought mine in a navy blue, because let’s be honest, navy goes with everything. But they have beige, olive, and even a dusty pink if you’re feeling brave. (Go on, live a little. It’s 2026, not 1955.) The waistband sits comfortably—no weird gaps at the back—and the button fly is solid. No flimsy zippers here. You know what I mean? You can trust these shorts not to betray you mid-stride.
JACK & JONES Chino Shorts, £7.20 at Marks & Spencer
