GUYS GUIDE: How To Find The Perfect Pair Of Summer Shorts

In a world brimming with options, finding the perfect pair of shorts can be daunting – especially when summer is fast approaching. But don't worry, we’ve got you covered. 
At Flag & Anthem, we specialize in making real clothes for real life - and our shorts assortment is long on options. From classic cotton shorts with a hint of stretch to hybrid shorts suitable for wear on land or sea to premium performance styles built for the green and beyond, we've curated a shorts collection centered around all-day comfort and versatility.
Ready to master your short game? Here's a cheat sheet to help you find your perfect pair.

Classic Short Styles

Wearing shorts is all about staying cool when it’s hot out, but the challenge is balancing comfort with appearance and occasion appropriateness – so we designed our classic shorts to blend timeless style with subtle comfort upgrades. Perfect for backyard barbecues, walking the dog, or nights out at the bar, our classic shorts were designed to keep you looking and feeling your very best from the first warm days of spring through dusky summer evenings by the campfire.

Memphis Stretch Short 

If you're looking for a classic pair of cotton shorts with some added flexibility, the Memphis Stretch Short will be your go-to. Made from soft cotton with a hint of stretch, they offer all-day comfort and durability. Available in two inseam lengths (a classic 10-inch option that falls at the knee and a modern 8-inch option that lands just above that), it's perfect for any summer dress code. The Memphis Stretch Short is offered in the widest range of colors, so there's a pair to wear with all your favorite short sleeve shirts and any of our graphic tees.

Featuring easy-access angled front pockets, an additional coin pocket, plus two back patch pockets with button closures, it’s comfortable, functional, and timeless in style. 

98% COTTON | 2% SPANDEX

Lockhart Volley Short 

Although volley shorts were originally designed for beach volleyball, they have evolved into a new must-have summer style. A true hybrid short from start to finish (meaning they’re part short, part bathing suit), our Lockhart Volley Short is an easy option to go from beach to back home and beyond. 

Made from a lightweight and breathable stretch fabric that dries super fast, you can take a dip – or even a swim – and still look good in time for happy hour. Complete with a fully elastic waistband and an adjustable drawcord that allows you to fine-tune the fit, you’ll never have to worry about these coming loose in the water or feeling too tight after lunch. Plus two angled front pockets and a drop-in zip back pocket all lined with mesh mean you can keep your cargo secure while letting water drain out with ease. With a 7" inseam, they're also the shortest style we offer.

72% Poly | 20% Cotton | 8% Spandex

Catskill Garment Dyed Short

If you're only looking to get one new pair of shorts this season, grab our brand-new Catskill Garment-Dyed Short. Crafted from a lightweight cotton blend fabric infused with just the right amount of stretch, they're incredibly comfortable and versatile – a go-to for any occasion with a smoother, slightly lighter, slightly more polished look than our Memphis Short

But it’s the unique garment-dyeing process that makes these shorts stand out. So, what exactly is garment dyeing? It’s an inverted process in which the fabric is dyed after it’s been cut and sewn into the finished garment, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece with rich color that follows the detail of the garment and only gets better with wear (and is prone to less shrinkage in the wash too). The Catskill Garment-Dyed Short has two angled front pockets and two back welt pockets so you can keep your belongings close and secure.

69% Cotton | 29% Tencel | 2% Spandex

Belmont Knit Short

Made from lightweight and breathable cotton blend fabric combined with the added comfort of 12% spandex for incredible built-in stretch, these shorts are the definition of go-anywhere, do-anything versatility. This unique fabric blend has a more structured drape and a straight-leg opening for a fit that won't ride up no matter how long you wear them. 

The on-seam pockets give this style a clean, refined, chino-like appearance from the front, an ideal option for effortlessly transitioning from casual pair-with-a-tee afternoons to more dressed-up toss-on-a-polo-or-button-down evenings. Available in classic colors, they're sure to become a key player in your is-this-dressy-enough rotation.

88% Cotton | 12% Spandex

Hybrid/Performance Shorts

Flag & Anthem hybrid shorts offer the perfect balance between performance and style. Designed with MadeFlex Performance Technologies such as built-in stretch, moisture wicking, quick dry, wrinkle resistance, our hybrid shorts are designed to ensure all-day comfort all summer long.

What exactly is a “hybrid short”? Simply put, a traditional hybrid short is a cross between a bathing suit and a regular pair of shorts, sharing some qualities of both. But we’ve taken the hybrid short to the next level with unique performance features and specialized fabrics that offer superior stretch, better moisture wicking and faster quick drying without that stiff, synthetic bathing suit feel that some hybrid shorts have.

Any-Wear Performance Short

Our Any-Wear Performance Short is our signature hybrid-style golf short and was designed to take you from the course to the clubhouse with comfort, style and ease. Made from a lightweight and breathable stretch performance fabric that wicks away moisture, dries super fast, and offers some of most flexible stretch of any style in the line.

Equipped with convenient angled mesh pockets at the hips, two drop-in back pockets with button closures, and a mesh-lined zipper storage pocket on the wearer’s right thigh designed that can fit anything from a scorecard to your iPhone, there’s tons of room to keep your belongings safe and secure without looking like you’re wearing bulky cargo shorts – but don’t forget to empty your pockets before taking a swim!  Available in classic colors and two inseam lengths. 

92% Poly | 8% Spandex

Cotton Blend Any-Wear Performance Short

The Cotton Blend Any-Wear Performance Short is our answer for any guy looking for the performance benefits of a hybrid short but wants a softer, more traditional cotton fabric feel. Offering permanent UPF protection to shield you from the sun’s harmful rays, these shorts are perfect for mornings on the course, afternoons on the water, and everywhere in between. 

While this style won’t dry as quickly as some others in our assortment, it’s still made from an extremely lightweight and breathable fabric infused with the perfect amount of stretch and moisture-wicking tech. Complete with mesh-lined front pockets and back welt pockets and an interior elastic waistband for ultimate comfort, it’s easy to see why our customers rave about these shorts. 

74% Poly | 17% Cotton | 9% Spandex

Slub Any-Wear Performance Short 

Designed to keep up with any active pursuit, this textured hybrid short is one of the lightest weight shorts in the assortment and combines comfort, performance, and versatility to keep you at the top of your game. The 'slub' in the name refers to a light, thin banding texture that runs through the fabric and on top of adding some visual interest, also helps to mask dirt from long, busy days outdoors.

Lightweight, breathable, and flexible thanks to built-in stretch, these feature-filled performance shorts have the added benefit of UPF 30 sun protection to shield you from the sun. With convenient mesh-lined pockets to stash your essentials and a zip-fly front for easy on-and-off, it's the perfect choice for all-day wear, ensuring you stay comfortable and protected no matter where your day takes you.

66% Poly | 26% Cotton | 8% Spandex

Pivot Performance Short 

One of our newest styles, the Pivot Performance Short was designed to be your go-to for comfortable and polished style for the guy who’s always on the go. Made from an innovative performance fabric and structured with stretch factored in, it delivers a dynamic textured design you can dress up or down. Complete with angled mesh-lined front pockets, back mesh-lined slit pockets, and an additional mesh-lined zipper pocket on the wearer’s right side, they’re a viable option when you need some extra storage too. 

90% Poly | 10% Spandex

Range Performance Short 

From the first swing to the nineteenth hole, our Range Performance Short was designed to take you through every activity without sacrificing comfort or style. Made from a silky, smooth, lightweight and breathable feature-filled fabric with built-in stretch for max mobility plus permanent UPF protection to shield you from the sun, they will quickly become your new go-to for effortless everyday wear. With a regular rise, straight leg opening plus mesh-lined pockets to keep belongings close and secure, our Range Performance Short is a no-brainer.

100% Polyester

 

(Looking for more options? Check out our full Men’s Shorts Guide)