Jorts, Loafers, and a Plaid Shirt
I love fashion, but I hate shopping.
I blame my mom a little. She used to take me and my brother shopping when we were kids and we would be in stores for hours. Like, hours. The kind of shopping trip where you start losing your mind in the middle of a fitting room.
Then add being queer, masc leaning, and not built like the mannequin, and shopping becomes a full emotional workout.
Women’s stuff can feel too feminine. Men’s stuff almost works, but then the waist, hips, or chest get weird. And a lot of androgynous brands are either expensive, too plain, or honestly just not giving enough.
The fit
The shorts: UNIQLO jorts
Jorts are back back but let’s be honest. They never left for the gays. Long, loose, denim, sitting right around the knee. UNIQLO’s version has the shape without doing too much — I have them in light blue and black. No rips. No acid wash. No fake vintage thing happening. Just a clean denim short that feels like something you would actually wear all summer. Extremely breathable.
They’re the piece everything else is built around. You can combine it with an oversized shirt, or formalize it with a vest.
Also, if you’ve been scared of jorts, I get it. But this is a good place to start. They’re roomy through the waist and thigh, which is where most denim long shorts lose me.
The shirt: H&M relaxed fit cotton shirt in navy check
Short sleeve. Boxy. Easy. You can find it here.
It skims the chest without clinging, which is important. The check keeps it from feeling too basic, but it still feels wearable. I’d wear it open over a white tee or buttoned up with the sleeves cuffed once.
It works with the jorts because the proportions make sense. Loose on top, loose on bottom, but not sloppy. If you’re shorter you might have to crop ✂️ this yourself or get it tailored.
The shoes: Steve Madden Langsten loafer in black
Chunky black loafers are kind of cheat code right now. Like I’m going out to a nice dinner but really I’m just chilling in Dime square drinking a cheap beer.
They make the jorts feel more intentional and less like you’re on your way to a barbecue. The lug sole gives the outfit some weight, which helps when you’re wearing longer shorts.
The socks: Bombas white ribbed calf socks
Crew socks with loafers. These socks are ribbed with arch support.
That’s the detail. Don’t skip it.
Why it works
Jorts are the move this summer, but they can go wrong fast.
With a tee and sneakers, they can feel a little summer camp counselor. With a checked shirt, white socks, and chunky loafers, they feel more put together without trying too hard.
The formula is simple:
Loose shorts.
Boxy shirt.
Heavy shoe.
White sock.
You can swap the check for stripes. Swap the loafers for sneakers. Swap the white socks for navy.
The fit still works.
All four pieces are linked above. More fits coming.
