On the Street...Cuffed Shorts, South of France
I have been seeing cuffed shorts slowly popping up on cool guys around the world.
This is one of the first examples ,that I have seen, where it looked so normal and not too fashiony.
I hate when my shorts flare out at the bottom and cuffing them is a good trick but it is one of those funny things about menswear - either you're a shorts cuffer or you're not.
I will have to give this careful consideration as summer is quickly approaching.
While I'm at it I will also ponder the pro's and con's of cuffing versus rolling my shorts.
Comments on "On the Street...Cuffed Shorts, South of France"
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Poochie said ... (11:36 AM) :
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Unknown said ... (10:11 PM) :
post a commentIt would be interesting to do a comparison/contrast on the shorts from warm locations around the world - Franc/Australia/Miami.
It, sadly, seems so much nicer that what I see here in the US.
Luv
Poochie
To be honest Sart I think in this case it is irrelevent, this chap has such and easy and seemingly effortless style that it would not matter whether his shorts were cuffed rolled or plain.
Even the monks work when they really shouldn't!
He's got everything working for him - not only the well fitting shorts at a perfect length but long nice shaped calves and great colour sense.
Yes, I agree. Nice cuffs. But it's the Gestalt effect that makes this work. The surface tension is never broken. The parts work together beautifully, from the man to the shoes, the medallion, the awesome vest, everything, to make a total look--sophisticated and casual, adult yet hip. Very cool. One of my favorite posts.
Shorts period are a big issue for me. The choices in men's shorts run a very narrow gamut.
Unless I'm missing the boat entirely why are there not more choices in fabrics, patterns, lengths and detailing that some jackets or even jeans have?
On top of that...in general shorts have become the length of kneepants showing about the last 1/3 of the leg and the only detailing out there seems to be that of military cargo influence.
=shane=
I like his shoes.
.
I saw them very frequently in St. Bart's this past February
great shot Sart
This works in part because the fabric is lightweight so the cuffs don't create bulk. That's the big problem with rolling vs. cuffing.
The dress shoes without socks make this so NOT an American look.
This is one of those effortlessly cool looks, but it's only like that if you do it right. This guy did it right.
The difficulty with cuffed shorts is avoiding looking twee. I wonder whether this depends on the fabric of the shorts themselves.
Poochie, I can tell you, as an Australian that shorts Down Under are a lost cause most of the time. Cuffed or no.
And Mr Sartorialist, please fold away those unnecessary apostrophes!
sorry, don't like this look. the color of the sweater does not compliment his skin tone and does not go with his t shirt at all.
The shorts... I dunno, no man should try this at home without less-than-perfect legs.
No cuff.
I like the cuffed short, it looks like he put some thought into his outfit. Unrolled would really change the whole vibe of his look. Boy howdy, do I love a man in a thin knit cardigan!
It looks like it's 100 degrees there. How is he wearing a sweater?
I cuff & roll depending on length, fabric, weight, & the likes. My cuff is more of a "flip" up rather than anything sewn or labored. Rolls are tricky but have a lot of character.
wow! that guy looks very sharp.
as a lady, i love cuffed shorts. very chic.
Poochie has a point; it seems as though too many men in America are afraid to be fashionable.
Why oh why?
cuffing is definetely it - not rolling... :)
been doing it for years.
cut off some chinos, corduroys, or jeans right at/over the knee and fold them up like that gentleman did. - a little higher is better actually.
I just forwarded this to several of my guys -- this is a great look!
so beautifully done it almost makes me want to wear shorts as well... except... i never do. if i would i would absolutely be glad if i'd be able to pull it off like this gentleman.
splendid.
I lov how color coordinated he is! Great outfit all around.
Incredibly sexy and cool.
Hmmmm,
don´t know.
I agree with marina hermanovna above- the shirt doesn´t go so well with the cardigan.
But on the first view the choice of colours seems to fit great with his skin.
He should hide the medaillon.
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And then... unbuckled shoes without socks...
difficult. I wonder what socks would do to the entire outfit.
What a cool guy!
Cool shorts ARE really hard to find, and can be very expensive once you do. I hear from retailers that they cost almost the same as pants, so they just pass and get the regular standard issue chino, cargo, etc. My best shorts are cut off from previous pants. That 3 year old flat front charcoal tropical with a hole in the lower leg. Chop-chop, great short. Sometimes you can find an amazing deal on pants, $200 for $50 Chop-chop. Great shorts. There you are. Hemmed to your specs. Cool.
Excellent shoes.
"the color of the sweater does not compliment his skin tone and does not go with his t shirt at all. "
I couldn't disagree more. I think this man's sense of color coordination is spectacular, makes the outfit.
LOVE*
i cuff my shorts too because i just like them slightly above my knees and it elongates my legs.
he does it well. kudos.
Yeah, it seems cuffed shorts are very fashionable this season - also for women. Never really gave it a thought to be honest, but now I realise how nicely it finishes the shorts off.
Oh come on people, how can you hate on this one. He clearly looks great. And no, you don't need 'perfect' legs to wear shorts, nobody in this world is perfect. Remember that.
Wow, talk about SAND-coloured shorts!
Great look.
i like them
All of the shorts by Band of Outsiders have cuffs and they don't look contrived at all. Overpriced for sure, but they look great.
Okay, first of all, (Addressing to Americans) go to H&M, buy some linen pants and cut them long. Next, cuff them effortlessly into expensive looking shorts. Instant style points this season.
P.S. Socks are totally in this spring (Mr. "no socks = not American")
-jerome
one of the problematic parts of wearing shorts is the selection of shoes. dress shoe? loafers? sneakers? flipflops? i think in this whole look the worst part would be the shoes. and the fact that he wore them on sand makes it even worse.
Just say "NO" to cuffs, whether in trouser or shorts form. They are the devil's creation - on par with pleats.
I too want to be in France and be standing on the beach!
Yes I agree with some of the other comments- this guy looks perfect from head to toe. The cuffed shorts are a great detail/item to point out, I guess I will start paying more attention to that when I'm out next time! I really love the colours he's using here too, all very warm and classy, very much flattering his skin tone as well!
I was going to try to say something about the shorts, but Ive just got to say, wow, he's sexy. I'd like his phone number:) (and I'm fond of his sartorial choices- dig the burgundy cardigan). I've never dated a guy that dresses better than me (or that thinks about more than having shorts with no holes and a t-shirt from some band he saw fifteen years ago.
yummy
He looks great: the color combo of the heathered tee and the cardigan, the monk strap shoes, and the subtle tiny pleat on the shorts become a wonderfully cohesive whole. Bravo!
Not feeling it at all.
Cant stand the cuffed shorts. especially because with these shorts, and those legs (note the complete absence of a calf), he could use the extra length.
To each their own I suppose, but I would not be caught walking around like this. Though the top half is not too offensive.
some people have commented here: this look is so european. - how come that in the US people do not dress like this?
well, i do not know.
if you folks are refering to the je ne sais quoi casualness of the cuffed shorts, i have to say that this in theory could actually be an american signature style.
in the past century america has revolutionized european (and global) dressing style more than once - underwear worn as exposed upper layer (the t-shirt), workers' trousers not only on the building site (jeans), military jackets in civilian contexts... etc... etc...
even the on this site so munch beloved gianni agnelli loved the je ne sais quoi casualness statement of american button down shirts.
so why should this look (the gold chain left aside) not be all american in its truest and purest form? - even the open monks have a funky neglect - which unfortunately in europe at the moment has become too much the fashion of the day though.
what you sometimes do not find in the states (nyc is the exception) is a playful creative irony when dressing up.
strange though that american style often seems to have difficulties in questioning and transcending itself when it has so much and so successfully questioned and creatively enriched european style.
...
well, at least scott does a great reflective job here.
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maybe he actually is/will be the top influencer time magazine so charmingly labeled him.
maybe there will be a time before and after the sartorialist.... maybe... we'll see
I think that as long as the shorts still hit right above the knee, then its OK to cuff. Of course, its better looking on those who exude style. I warn against cuffing shorts with a polo... you begin to look cliche.
what in fact is just as funny is that scott has a much more classical view and a more educated eye than his european counterparts who run similar blogs.
all in all there is an interesting and profound tension about scott's work that makes me - and so many others - come back on a regular basis.
all thumbs up, mr schuman, keep on going. - in a funny way you are more european than the europeans. - a little bit like the beloved mr. wes anderson is too.
compared to wes anderson you just need a twist more irony - if one wants to say so... 'irony' of course is the wrong word here... but a little bit more second degree cultural distance and a artistic refinement.
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but i can clearly see that coming in the way you evolved in your composition technique. i guess we all can, who have been watching the evolution of this site for the past years.
great work!
all thumbs up!
regards from the old world.
Marina who wrote "sorry, don't like this look. the color of the sweater does not compliment his skin tone and does not go with his t shirt at all.
The shorts... I dunno, no man should try this at home without less-than-perfect legs."
That has to be the dumbest comment ever. The purples look SO perfect with his skin! Check your monitor! And a cuff is so perfect this season.
that sweater set's sick!
chocolaty-purple.
he's cute :)
Has a Wes Anderson vibe.
i've been looking for cuffed shorts for this summer - i cant believe i didnt think of having pants altered! i also like a kind of look that has a little flap on the side that's buttoned to the pant just above the cuff. this guy's shorts look like theyve been just turned up once
Your blog is so addictive! When are you coming back to China?
cuffed - sharper and smarter. don't know that I'd pair the purple with the choc tho. maybe something in an eye-searing cool shade (lightningblue/peacock/hard seagreen) to give a nice pick-up. or maybe it's just me =)
"It would be interesting to do a comparison/contrast on the shorts from warm locations around the world - Franc/Australia/Miami."
The majority of guys in Austalia wear khaki/bleh coloured, shapeless shorts that fall below the knee.
I think more men are beginning to wear shorts like this man, but it's not widespread.
When is the sartorialist going to come to Australia???
I feel this chap's deep tan is contributing a lot to his look.
Someone made a comment about "less than perfect legs". Really? What are perfect legs? Men have hair on their legs and don't shave them. And shouldn't shave them. What makes the commenter say that his guy has less than perfect legs? I really would like a clarification.
Ms Marina Hermanovna please let us know what "perfect legs" are.
Awesome sunglasses.
Also, I am not surprised that a woman is passing judgement on someone's legs. Women are always trying to put other people down as far as physical attributes go. I am not being sexist. It's just how it is. A man can always appreciate a woman's legs for what they are. Legs. Legs in skirts are always welcome. Maybe more (straight) men should run fashion magazines for women. That way, anorexia, bulimia, poor self image and unnecessary plastic surgery would go away.
I think the shorts aren't overly "look at me, I'm cuffed" because he has the waist covered - if you saw a belt it would break up the whole look and the shorts would stand out as a separate piece. As it is the whole outfit can be taken in as one event. I like!
You dont' really see guys wearing shorts that often. Though it might depend on where you live.
juliet xxx
I agree with 11:50, he could probably get away with most anything with that attitude.
methinks i've never met a shorts cuffer besides me best friend..another reason to adore him!
dear sartorialist, rolling of shorts is almost equal to socks in sandals (when worn in the most unfashionable way possible!)
i love your blog.
sofie
Really handsome guy! He looks like a cool man.
ps. I have a pair of shorts like that without the pleats on the front. They're great for the summer.
unfortunately for some of us, shorts are a must for at least 3 months of the year. it's downright madness to wear pants once it even approaches 30 degrees.
it's also unfortunate that MOST shorts are of 2 categories
old man shorts: basically just short dockers. kinda boring. stuff your dad wears with high socks.
kid shorts: WOW COOL XTREME crap. hell, the occasional madras print aint' bad, but they always fit terribly. long, baggy, too loose.
it's hard to find a nice pair of shorts that is fitted. especially for me and my scrawny legs.
This guy looks great! I have been watching how men and women dress in France for a year now and I have concluded that they often put a LOT of thought into an outfit. Not just selecting the items but arranging them just right (how the scarf falls, which buttons are buttoned, what the collar is doing, etc.) Often there is one item that is a little... off. Which makes the look personal and not something out of a catalog or runway shot. The final - and most important - thing is that after putting all that thought into it, they step out the door and NEVER THINK ABOUT IT AGAIN. So they don't look like part of their brain is occupied by thinking "I wonder what people think of my cuffs..."
Anon 2:04, love your comment. This man's got that look locked down, right down to his shoes. And there is no way in hell he could wear socks people, come on now! I think what he does so well to balnce the bottom is the lovely-coloured cardigan and t at the top. Just don't ask me about the logistics of wearing dress shoes on sand, but I really like this.
Energie
To J&R 4:20 A.M.,
I'm mostly with you, definitely in regards to pleats. However, I am in Italy every 3 months and study the "street style" and see these amazingly dressed guys, young & older, Sartorial dialed, wearing a lot of cuffed pants, a little wide and hemmed a bit shorter. These guys stride, strut, swagger, whatever, they own it baby. So, consider the cuff in the right context, on the right person, wearing the right clothing. Am I right ? Thank You.
This guy looks great!
I respect that which captures a timeless look. This example of the short roll looks like it could be from a '40s movie. It could be from anytime because it's a classic look. I could see with the wrong shorts this turning into a fashion trend, which isn't timeless.
if it weren't for the long pendant i would pin this as a straight-out-of-j-crew-catalog look. put together but doesn't make the pulse quicken by any means.
Bring on the summer!
I live in São Paulo and shorts are a huge part of Brazilian culture. Before moving here I was totally averse to shorts (probably because I lived in Spain previously and shorts are taboo there) but I've learned to embrace them. I see a lot of fashionable guys here cuffing a lot. I've dabbled with it but I'm not sure I can really pull it off...
I like the colors, but I don't think this look is all that flattering. I think the clothes bunch strangely. But I do agree that socks would not work here.
I love the colors, and the cuffs are done nicely without any "whee, look at me!" factor, but that cardigan bothers me... It looks just slightly too large, maybe? Strangely bunchy, or that there's just too much fabric. I love the look, though, and he wears it well.
he's a hottie.
never mind women's legs. i find guys legs to be a total turn-on. esp with a little fur!
excellent post
I'm a big fan of the 'long short'. Cuffing definitely gives a more tailored edge, which I think looks great. Long (well-fitted) shorts on women and men can show off a great leg (and a fabulous shoe naturally)and look crisp and stylish.
To Michael:
Where in Spain did u lived? I've been living in Madrid for the last 42 years and I'm pretty sure that shorts are not a taboo at all in Spain. even more, once summer begins, it is hard to find people not wearing them day and night time (which i find not so appropriate, btw). Thanks God, what you wont be able to find here is Spaniards wearing shorts with socks and/or dress shoes
Nice photo, Sart. I wear both cuffed and non-cuffed shorts. My more formal Bermuda shorts are non-cuffed. When it comes to cuffs, I think it pays to go big or go home. Accordingly my shorts sport large cuffs, at least 1.75".
"Formal" and "shorts" do not belong in the same sentence.
The outfit looks ok at first glance, but if you revisit, it looks pretty bad. Like a graduate student or web designer doing his laundry on the weekend. The only reason it is working out at all is because of the guy's skin tone. If he was even slightly paler this would look horrible.
This guy is sooo effortlessly (is that a word?) cool. LOVE the cuffs!!