Summer is upon us and I spent some time over the weekend thinking about my upcoming trip to warmer climates. (Which, when coming from Seattle means places where you have to wear shorts before August, if then.) As I dug out my shorts, I started to think about what makes a good travel short and why everything marketed as one is so damned ugly. Shorts aren't my favorite clothing of choice and when you slap a bunch of oversized pockets on them, you make me want to wear them even less.
I dug out my favorite pair of shorts and thought about what I loved about them. They're perfect for travel because 1.) they're lightweight, 2.) versatile and 3.) not at all "travel" looking. Yes, you could head to your nearest outdoor store and buy yourself a pair of travel pants. You know the type, the ones that have lots of pockets and may have that clever unzip to shorts feature. Functional? Sure. Attractive? Not so much. And unless you're hiking in the wilderness, you might as well go with something a little more attractive.
Just because you're traveling, you don't have to wear travel gear. You just need clothes that wear well, are comfortable, and work in a variety of ways. I pulled together some shorts I might consider buying for my next trip. I like shorts that are casual and rugged enough for a days worth of sightseeing, but can be dressed up with some cute shoes and sparkles for a night on the town. All of my picks below fit the bill and cost less than $50. (The cute shorts in the photo above, they're thrifted. I suggest you do that too, it's where my favorite shorts came from, as well.)
Oh, and guys, I didn't forget you either. Men's shorts are even more difficult because the market is innundated with challenges such as huge side pockets, pleats, and "I just got off the golf course plaid." I was able to dig up a few pairs of basic and attractive shorts that would work well for anyone on the road.
What's your favorite travel short? Leave a tip in the comments!
yeah, for the men's shorts...the BDG and All-Son shorts look like something from Reno 911, not flattering at all.
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