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5 Shorts to Wear With Your Sneakers

5 Shorts to Wear With Your Sneakers

Jun 28, 2022

Casual wear is getting its due like never before, and everyone from educators to office workers is embracing less fussy workwear and athleisure fits. For inspo, here are five different types of men’s shorts you can wear with your favorite sneakers, whether you’re heading into casual Friday at the office or a week-long vacation.

Basketball or Athletic Shorts

There’s no wrong way to wear Jordan shoes with shorts of any variety. And while we love Jumpman sneakers with full-length jeans, J’s were originally created to be worn with basketball shorts. Wear your Air Jordan 1s with shorts that are longer in length to create a more balanced look. Try a mid-cut Jordan with men’s shorts that hit at the knee, like this pair Nike Men’s Pro Dri-FIT Flex Rep Shorts. Finish the style with a graphic tee or Pro Standard Men’s Chicago Bulls Paisley T-Shirt and accessorize as you’d like.

Man in tan shorts and Air Jordans

Cargo Shorts

The Air Force One sneaker is as iconic as they come. Named for the President’s official mode of air transportation, the AF1 was originally a shoe for the courts, but today is one of the most versatile pairs of footwear on the market.

The crisp white low top AF1 goes perfectly with cargo shorts or utility shorts. We recommend distressed carmel-colored utility shorts from Grindhouse, or slim-fitting Smoke Rise twill camo cargo shorts paired with an olive green tee — and some Ray-Ban Aviators for a military plane-inspired “Top Gun” vibe.

Men’s Denim Shorts

Jorts, or jean shorts, are a thing and they are totally accepted in streetwear and casual fashion. One of the easiest ways to wear them is with brightly colored sneakers and a visually captivating tee, like an all-over print or graphic shirt. Layer a short sleeve unbuttoned button-up shirt over the tee or (or tank!) for a look with added dimension. You can even throw in a cap and some bling, too.

Wear a pair of Vans Authentic shoes with denim shorts while on baecation… or while wishing you were on a vacay somewhere. Kick back in some Puma RS Fast shoes colorblocked in oranges, greens, teal and yellow. Or slip into the cool-again Dad shoe – the New Balance 550 or NB 992.

Man in Vans, denim shorts, and Nike shirt.

More Men’s Denim Shorts

Slay in another denim short look with a frayed pair of denim shorts and a pair of adidas Originals Gazelles, Air Max 90s, Puma Suedes or adidas Originals Superstars for streetwear-meets-wannabe-skatewear style. Though really none of these sneakers were intended to be skate shoes, and we do not recommend wearing them on your board, they do lend to an overall skater-chill look.

Make the denim shorts you wear have a bit of fray at the knees for a bit of distress, and add a Staple tee and hat to really nail the fit, even if you’re not nailing half-pipes at the skatepark.

Man in Jordans, denim shorts, and Staples shirt.

Retro Athletic Shorts

Back in the day, ballers like Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Walt Frazier slayed center court in shorts that only reached mid-thigh (and sometimes higher depending on the height of the player). By the 1990s though, men’s shorts in-seams measured between 8 and 11-inches and for most of recent history, this trend has stayed relevant.

However, these days Gen Z is bringing the itty bitty short back, and we’re here for it.

Next time you’re shopping at your local Hibbett or City Gear, or browsing Hibbett.com, check out these retro-length athletic shorts to wear with your favorite kicks.

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