The original summer essential, the right pair of shorts can make or break your warm weather style. With a host of styles on offer, from denim to prints and patterns, getting your hands on a pair of shorts to match up to your style has become a tricky affair- so get your sun inspired style in check with our quick fire guide to the best shorts to show off your legs.

Cargo Shorts

The ultimate in laid back casual summer fashion, the cargo short makes up for its limited style options with an unrivalled level of functionality. Often made of super durable materials, a good pair of cargo shorts can with stand summer after summer, outlasting a host of other styles. On top of this, they normally come with a pretty useful array of pockets, so if you’re getting lumbered with carrying five cameras and three wallets this summer, you’ll have somewhere to put them all.

If you’re opting for a pair of cargo shorts, keep things simple and wear them with canvas trainers and a plain t-shirt, keeping the utilitarian military inspired vibe that cargo shorts carry alive throughout your entire look.

Chino Shorts

Once the reserve of the preppy kids and the Oxford lovers alike, the chino short has become a real wardrobe staple in recent years. Playing the role of what is undoubtedly the smartest pair of shorts you can own, chino shorts should be tailored to the leg. Coming in a host of colours, you’ll find that chino shorts offer a brilliant range of versatility. With classic colours such as beige and navy, you can add pretty much anything to make up a look. Basic t-shirts will provide a simple look, whilst an Oxford shirt and blazer or piece of fine gauge knitwear will give you a classic layered look that Ralph Lauren would be proud of.

Denim Shorts

A style that has recently come to the fore of summer style, the denim short has become a bit of a retro enigma. With undoubted throw back vibes, the denim short is perfect for a laid back look that makes the most of street wear essentials. Wear your denim shorts with your favourite pair of sneakers, a logo or printed tee and some selective head gear for a traditional look that is inspired by the deep heritage behind street style.

Printed and Patterned Shorts

A great way to add a focal point to your legs, printed and patterned shorts offer a switch in roles between your top and bottoms. Rather that wearing a plain pair of shorts and a top that carries all the details in your ensemble, a print or pattern sends attention the opposite way. With patterns such as check and stripes offering more heritage led looks, you’ll even find repetitive or photographic prints from more adventurous labels. Link these with plain tops accordingly, whether you’re choosing a polo, t-shirt, or even a simple sweat- patterned or printed shorts add a fresh new dynamic to any wardrobe.

Swim Shorts

The self-explanatory nature of swim shorts doesn’t exactly leave much to the imagination. However, look a bit closer and you’ll realise that getting a pair isn’t quite as simple as you thought. With short swimmers coming into fashion, you may well find a host of styles coming in at lengths well above the knee. On top of this, patterns and prints have become a big part of poolside style.

If you’re on holiday and looking to make the most of swim shorts throughout the day, try keeping a plain basic t-shirt and lightweight grey hoody handy- the t-shirt will prove useless throughout the day, and the hoody can be worn over the top towards the end of the day when the sun goes down.