Taking long strides: How men’s fashion is fascinated with short shorts

If women can have their miniskirts, then men should certainly be allowed to wear short shorts. This menswear trend is not going away, as seen on runways and at red carpet events.

Just recently, Paul Mescal caused quite a buzz when he attended the Gucci Spring/Summer 2025 runway show wearing what looks almost like boxer shorts.

The actor paired it with a casual shirt and a pair of loafers, which gave off a very nonchalantly casual vibe.

“I’m a fan of the short inseam,” Mescal told the media from the front row. “From my eye, it’s to do with proportion.”

Paul Mescal’s outfit divided social media, with some people saying it was a perfectly casual yet chic look, while others hated it for being something that should only be worn at home. Photo: GucciWearing shorts to high-profile events is not entirely new.

Last year, Pedro Pascal walked the Met Gala red carpet in tailored shorts, matched with a long red coat and military-style boots. The outfit was from Valentino’s Autumn/Winter 2023 collection.

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The then creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, explained on Instagram that, with Pascal’s outfit, he wanted to overcome all dress code cliches – “without changing anything of the cliches”.

“A black tie is a black tie, you can’t change what it is, but you can change the way you wear and how you wear it,” he wrote.

“Pedro’s interpretation of this look represents exactly my idea of men’s wardrobe freedom, and freedom is always the game changer, also on the red carpet.”

A month later, Thai singer Jeff Satur was spotted rocking a pair of shorts to a Valentino runway show in Milan. Like Pascal, he paired it with a long coat and boots.

Hollywood actor Jacob Elordi also wore shorts to the same event. He wore his with a leather jacket. Yes, you could say it was a thing with Valentino for that particular season.

At the menswear weeks last month, numerous brands sent out models wearing shorts on the runway.

In Dior’s case, it was loose-cut shorts. These were paired with sneakers or boots – and crew socks (the Gen Z way).

Ralph Lauren continued with its love for preppy chic outfits. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection featured a number of shorts-and-jacket combo – very much the Chuck Bass look, a la the early 2000s Gossip Girl era.

Pedro Pascal caught attention last year at the Met Gala with his unusual red carpet dressing. Photo: Instagram/Pierpaolo PiccioliJeff Satur caught attention with his shorts-and-tie look at a Valentino runway show last year. Photo: Instagram/Jeff Satur

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According to a press statement released, Lauren said that it was to celebrate a personal style that is effortless and timeless, a quiet sophistication that is confident and always authentic.

“Dressing for me has always been an adventure. It’s dressing for the day and the moment, for a match on the tennis courts, for a glamorous evening.”

Again, it has to be said that this is not something new. Louis Vuitton was already sending out its models wearing shorts on the runway last year.

It just shows that the short shorts trend is not going away – and, whether you like it or not, men are falling deeply in love with the idea of having freedom to show off their knees.