Both slim and regular fits slot easily into your summer wardrobe as elevated casual shorts, refined enough for dinner, relaxed enough for a Saturday walk. Three formulas that cover most of what your week throws at you:

• Polished casual: Stretch Malone (regular fit) + a linen camp-collar shirt + leather sneakers or loafers. The Malone's clean knee-length break and easy fall give the outfit structure without stiffness, which is what makes it one of the most versatile styles in the rotation. Dinner-ready in under five minutes.
• Weekend simple: Stretch Declan (slim fit) + plain crewneck tee + low-profile sneakers. The Declan's leaner cut sharpens the silhouette so even the simplest pieces read intentional rather than thrown-on. The benchmark for modern casual styles.
• Smart resort: Either fit + a lightweight knit polo + leather sandals or driving shoes. Both pairs work here because the stretch fabric breathes through heat and resists wrinkles in transit, making these the casual shorts you actually want to pack for travel.

The rule of thumb across both fits: lean into the contrast. A more relaxed regular fit looks best with a fitted top; a slim fit short balances out a slightly looser shirt or knit.

Men's shorts are no longer reserved for the beach. The right pair handles everyday wear: running errands, weekend coffee, a long walk on a hot afternoon. A well-cut and refined option also moves seamlessly into special occasions like summer dinners, rooftop drinks, garden weddings with a relaxed dress code, and travel. The deciding factor is fit and fabric: a tailored stretch short in a neutral colour reads as intentional rather than sporty, which is exactly why it's perfect for any occasion where temperatures climb but the setting still asks you to look pulled together. 

Start with how you want the short to sit through the thigh and at the knee. A regular fit like the Stretch Malone leaves comfortable room through the thigh and breaks just at or above the knee, it's the most universally flattering cut and works on most body types. A slim fit like the Stretch Declan tapers closer to the leg and sits a touch shorter, which suits a leaner build or anyone who prefers a sharper, more modern silhouette. If you're between the two, default to the regular fit for versatility and the slim fit for a more contemporary look. Either way, the inseam should hit within a couple of inches of the top of your kneecap: too short reads casual-athletic, too long reads dated.

The current direction in men's shorts is decidedly tailored. The era of oversized cargo and baggy basketball shorts has given way to cleaner, knee-length cuts in solid neutrals: sand, olive, navy, charcoal, and crisp white, paired with refined fabrics that drape well rather than bunch. Stretch chino-style shorts in particular have replaced denim cutoffs and athletic shorts as the warm-weather default for men who care about how they look. Expect to see slim and regular fits dominate, with shorter inseams (around 7–9 inches) reading as the most modern length.

Broadly, men's shorts fall into a few categories: chino or twill shorts (the everyday tailored option), cargo shorts (utility-focused, with extra pockets), athletic or performance shorts (built for movement and sport), denim shorts (casual, often shorter), and swim shorts (for the water). Within the tailored category (the most versatile of the bunch), the meaningful distinction is fit: regular versus slim. Rue Saint-Patrick's edit focuses on the tailored category in two fits, the Stretch Malone (regular) and the Stretch Declan 3-Pocket (slim), so you can pick the silhouette that suits you and trust the fabric to do the rest.

The waistband should sit comfortably without needing a belt to stay up, but a belt should still be easy to add. The seat should follow your shape without pulling at the back pockets or bagging underneath. If the fabric strains across the seat when you sit down, size up. If you can pinch more than an inch or two at the side seam of the waistband, size down.

If you're starting from scratch, anchor your rotation in two neutrals: a warm tone (sand, stone, or olive) and a cool tone (navy or charcoal). Then add a lighter option for hotter days (white or pale blue). Five well-chosen colours in a single fit will outperform fifteen in mixed cuts. Both the Stretch Malone and Stretch Declan are designed to live in this exact territory.