Best linen shorts for chic, breathable summer 'fits (2024)

Linen is gaining big ground in the fashion industry. Though not a new fabrication, a recent report studying 200 million data points found that a rather surprising 64 per cent of brands only used linen for the first time in 2020 – Dior, Prada, Fendi and Louis Vuitton included – while linen was incorporated in 102 per cent more runways in the last spring/summer season.

How does that translate to what we're wearing? This year we've seen exponential demand for the fabric in linen suiting, shirts and trousers, and as we move further into the summer months, linen shorts are sure to become a mainstay of menswear. Linen being slightly less structural than pure cotton, used in shorts it can provide a more louche look, while being exponentially more breathable on humid days. This breeziness is often amped up by elasticated waists and drawstring ties, but that's not to say the rails are lacking in more tailored, pleated options for smarter occasions, too.

Whatever your preference, one thing is clear – linen shorts are going to be everywhere this summer. From the cargo-printed styles of Liam Gallagher's Nigel Cabourn collab to chic, embroidered styles by Harago, shop our edit of the best linen shorts of the season.

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