Ask Chris Black: Favorite Summer Shorts?
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Chris Black has returned to the Strategist with amonthly columnto answer all your burning questions, from super-specific style predicaments to workout and tennis recs to foolproof host-gift ideas that will get you invited back to the beach house.
Favorite summer shorts?
It is almost that time of year when the legs must be kissed by the sun and released from the confines of sweatydenim. The inseam trends come and go, butshortsin the summer are forever. Pick your poison wisely.
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These do feel a little retro, but the simplicity and color selection make them timeless. The split side hem makes them super comfortable, and they have real pockets. Your wife or girlfriend might try to steal them, but for this price, you can get a few.
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Cargo shorts are a military-inspired classic, but you don’t want to go full Bruce Weber Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue model. Stussy, which does the basics better than most, has you covered with a baggy-ish pair in olive, black, or camo. Choose your fighter.
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These are a little long for me personally, but everyone differs when it comes to appropriate inseam length. This shade of brown is so cool, and they just look roomy and comfortable, which is necessary during high summer.
[Editor’s note: There is a full range of sizes at Glasswing, with limited sizes available at Ssense andCanoe Club.]
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Stone Island is known for outerwear, but its high-tech fabrics are applied to just about every category you can think of, and shorts are one of the strongest. These are garment-dyed, breathable, and come in a lovely shade of green that is a welcome change from black.
Best pair of cheapish sunglasses?
This is a great question, I love Jacque Marie Mage and wear a few different colors of the Dealan, but the price can be off-putting. You don’t want true cheapies from the drugstore, but you need something that looks cool and holds up well. Luckily, there are plenty of viable options out there.
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This beefed-up version of the classic Wayfarer is super cool; the added weight gives it a slightly different shape. I like the “Polished Striped Havana” color with the brown lenses. That being said, you cannot go wrong with black either.
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Stussy has been making great well-priced sunglasses forever, and it still stays a bit under the radar. I love this simple style, and it comes in several different flavors, but the all-black with black lenses feels timeless.
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I am wearing these almost every day, proving they look good on literally anyone. Not oversized or undersized, just simple and understated with a vintage feel, the green lenses add a subtle twist.
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This brand has been around for five years and just keeps getting better. It has plenty of funky frames, but the colors and lenses are all very tasteful, making all the offerings super wearable. The Kerewan is made in Japan, has a square-ish shape, and comes in several colors, all of which are good options.
What should I wear to play tennis besides the generic Wimbledon white?
Wearing all white to play tennis is one of those things I love in theory, but then, in practice, it becomes cumbersome. No one, except professional tennis players in their prime, gliding across grass at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, looks great in all white. I think you can use a little more color without looking like you’re sponsored by Psycho Bunny.
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Literary Sport is one of my new favorite brands. Although the ethos is centered around running, this merino T-shirt could work well on the court. It’s not a polo, but it’s also not a ratty T-shirt you found in the back of your closet.
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If you want a pop of color, this kelly green with a white contrast color polo from Nike is great. Jannik Sinner is wearing as we speak during the French Open. It won’t make you play like him, but maybe it will put you in a winner’s mindset.
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Tennis shorts are historically a little longer because you need proper pockets to hold balls. This pair from Spence is the perfect seven-inch length, no weird shit, just a good pair of shorts that work. They come in black, but if youhaveto wear white, they have you covered.
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I have several pairs of these in my closet, and you can’t really go wrong. Built for the court, one simple Nike check, pockets. They are very well priced and always in stock.
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Falke makes the best socks for any sport, but the tennis-specific version is a game-changer. They are designed to stabilize your foot and ankle, and they dry very quickly. They come in black and white and are worth the investment.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
