Arash vs Tom Ford: Shorts In The City
June 4, 2011 by Arash Mazinani
Filed under All Content, Gentlemen, Wardrobe Staples
You may recall I did a post a little while back called ‘What Would Tom Ford Do?’ or WWTFD for short. It was a bit of a tongue in cheek post with some more serious points at the end. Just a quick recap, I talked about the concept of ‘modelling’ and how thinking like Tom Ford will never really leave you astray when it comes to dressing well. However, shortly after I wrote that post I noticed B from Beautifully-Invisible posted a quote from Mr Ford stating he thought the only place men should wear shorts was on the beach.
Well I have to say, as much as I agree with most things he says I have to disagree with him here. If he was talking about flip flops then yeah he would have a very valid point, but certainly not shorts. What’s his beef with guys baring a bit of leg?
I for one would much feel the breeze on my legs rather than have them baked in denim or khaki pants, then have to come home and contend with sweaty balls. Yeah I said it!
Now I don’t want to sound like I’m ranting but what’s wrong with the picture below that I’ve taken from the Reiss website. A perfectly cool, well cut, stylish outfit which would look perfect during summer time in any city.
If you want to wear shorts however make sure they’re cut correctly for your legs. The trend at the moment is above the knee however if you feel more comfortable with them a little longer then go ahead, indulge. However, I would stick to block colours and simple patterns. Avoid any garish checks or prints and definitely keep them around your waist, not hanging from your backside.
There is also the alternative of investing in some chino’s that are tapered and turning up the legs slightly for those that aren’t quite brave enough to get their legs out.
Anyway enough of me…
I’d love to hear your thoughts on shorts in the city.
Was I wrong to criticise Mr Ford?
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I think you are totally right!
However I think the typical english man does have trouble pulling off shorts mainly with what you touched on in your last paragraph. They don’t look at any type of cut to suit there leg shape and most men go for some crappy print (normally palm leaves or waves) and they either pair them with flipflops or ‘jesus’ sandals. So I can see why Mr Ford would say they only place for men to wear shorts is the beach!
But I think any stylish man… of course Tom Ford included can easily pull off a pair of shorts in summer!
Fee x
I can’t stand jesus sandals and I agree with Tom Ford when he said that flip flops should be kept on the beach, shorts on the other hand…
I must sympathise with Mr Ford. The only time I ever wear shorts away from the beach is for practicality. Only for keeping cool.
Also, those bright colours and garish checks don’t look so bad on the beach!
Get yourself some smart (or not so smart) linen trousers for the city.
Thank for commenting Clarke.
I love seing a man in shorts that fit him well. Ehem. I understand this can have certain unintended connotations, so I will leave it there. Suffice to you say I love Tom, but I agree with you
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I’m glad that you agree with me Anika
and I understand why you put a disclaimer there in case B comes along…
I can’t believe I’m disagreeing with Tom Ford, but I’m with you on this one. Are men just supposed to suffer through the summer temps while women bare it all? Not fair. There is nothing wrong at all with a clean-cut pair of knee-length shorts.
Yeah certainly, as long as you keep them simple and make sure they fit well then you can’t go wrong.
You know I love Tom Ford. But I do think banning shorts from the city is a bit extreme. If you’re out on a summer day, touring, or having brekkie or lunch in a casual place, why not? The look you included above is a great example of shorts that look polished and appropriate. I’m with you on this!
Thanks V, I really liked the look that’s in the photo.
Personally, I think city shorts look good! They’re the right side of casual but I do like a denim cut-off on the beach.
And I can’t believe you posted the words “sweaty balls”!
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Ha ha I had to post that because that’s what happens when you get overheated. I’m just trying to keep it real
.
i agree with you completely. i love tom ford and think he definitely has an amazing perspective and style aesthetic. but during hot summer days i cringe when i see men suffering the heat in long pants. i think my boyfriend looks amazing in shorts the length of the ones in the picture you posted. his style is a bit more casual so he opts for cargo shorts and i think they look perfect on him. guys who wear long pants all the time totally come off as stuffy. so yeah… i dunno why he’d say that. maybe it’s one of those overly-dramatic statements that fashion types make sometimes. but i think your take on it is much more logical.
oh, and i forgot to mention.. i love that you discuss choosing the right cut and shape of shorts. i feel so many people nowadays have completely forgotten about fit, cut and shape that’s flattering to their size and proportions. thank you for helping remind the world that these things are still important… even in the face of fast fashion chains and the reign of casual dress. bravo sir!
Thanks… it’s all about the fit and cut for me that’s the most important thing when it comes to clothes. But like you said a lot of the time people disregard it completely.
Yeah I think it may have been one of those over dramatic statements. I agree I think long trousers can look stuffy on a particularly hot day.. shorts all the way!
“I for one would much feel the breeze on my legs rather than have them baked in denim or khaki pants, then have to come home and contend with sweaty balls. Yeah I said it!”
Ha! I love that you had the “balls” to say that.
You know, I do agree that men can wear shorts but it has to be done in a tasteful, stylish manner. No cut-offs, no man-pris. My boyfriend, for one, doesn’t like shorts. I’m not sure why! Now I want to ask…
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Yeah like I said… I had to keep it real with that statement lol.
Come on guys. I don’t wanna see knobbly knees when I’m relaxing with my espresso!
Whatever Clarke… you’ll be the one sweating your cahoonas off.
I remember reading that post. Although, I see Mr. Ford’s point, typically because the average man does not style it properly. However, my bf wears shorts (with a nice belt) well. I love them on him mostly because of the way he styles it with a great loafer, or nice shoe. I generally don’t like printed shorts on most men, but recently have seen a few brave guys that pull it off quite nicely… again styling the total look is absolutely essential… I prefer solids though! -xo
Yeah you have to work it right but if done correctly there is nothing wrong with shorts in the city.
I love this, and you are absolutely correct that shorts done RIGHT are A-OK in the city.
This was the actual quote, from AnOther Magazine: “A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.”
It seems like he combined shorts and flip-flops in his head, which I agree with – I hate seeing flip-flops in the city. Combined with shorts it is WAY to casual. But if someone is wearing nicely styled shorts that aren’t too short, I see no problems with it!
Too short shorts are HORRIBLE on all men. Yuck.
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Yeah I agree with him on the flip flops 100%… guess that could be another post altogether…
I think you are completely correct! I love the photo you have chosen. He looks delish! the outfit is perfectly styled and looks very trendy without showing too much. Too short (aka running shorts length) are just wrong but I like what you have mentioned here. And yes, please don’t have them hanging off your backside – they just look sloppy that way.
Yeah running shorts are quite short, the trend at the moment is just above the knee.
I have to agree with you Arash, I think shorts are a fantastic alternative to full-length trousers, sometimes it’s just not practical to bake oneself just for the sake of Mr Ford. That said, like you mention, there are shorts, and shorts, so it needs to be done in a good way. I love the Reiss look, the colour and the cut of the shorts is lovely, and the crisp white short teamed with it works really well xxx
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Yeah as much as I love WWTFD… when it came to the shorts I just had to speak out.