The Curious Case Of Harry Styles And His Short Shorts

If it were any other celebrity, we doubt it’d make even half as much news but Harry Styles walking around London city in tiny red shorts has got to be newsworthy, if not anything else.

Ever since paparazzi shots of the singer’s red shorts came online, it’s been mayhem in Styles’ fan clubs and fashion magazine pages alike. Is the summer season’s ultimate fashion memo to keep it short and scarlet? Styles certainly suggests so!

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In his red, striped Adidas shorts, Styles definitely ushered the arrival of summer. To be fair, he’s been seen in red gym shorts before, as recent as a few weeks ago and even then, chatter around his legs and the length of his shorts kept the internet ablaze. But there’s something about this turn that makes it even more exciting.

For starters, it’s the entire look. That black crewneck sweater and those mustard yellow Prada sneakers are hard to ignore. As is his vintage purple beer hat and the David Hockney-themed tote bag (also in yellow) he’s carrying. It’s giving athleisure, yes, but also carefree summer style that goes from beach to a bar with absolute ease. You could even stop by for a quick cappuccino somewhere and it would all make sense.

Of course it’s Styles, so even if the look breaks all conventional style rules, as per those fashion purists, no one cares. He’s got the attitude (and those legs!) to pull it all off, and that’s all that matters. Besides, isn’t summer all about breaking rules and riding to the tunes of your own heart?

Styles isn’t the first celebrity to champion without abandon short shorts for men. Yes, we can’t forget and won’t not acknowledge all the work done by Paul Mescal, the OG short shorts king, for this cause.

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For a few years now, Mescal has and continues to display his legs in full abandon, and the internet has been thankful for it all. A lot of fashion folks credit him single handedly for bringing back these 90s style shorts, and all the brands that matter are housing them as part of their new collections. Whether or not you work out, if you’re a man who feels the heat, the only way to wear shorts is to keep them short. Don’t be surprised if you start spotting more famous men taking the shorter route. Men dressing slutty is the vibe now – having legs as muscular as Mescal might be harder to emulate.

And that’s wear Styles is having a moment. He’s not telling you’ve got to hit the gym – all he’s suggesting you keep doing the leg days but don’t sweat if those calves and hamstrings aren’t as obvious as you’d like them to be. Focus instead of keeping your pins well groomed – lather on some body butter and head out for a walk or more.

Short shorts, colour coordinated accessories and a vibe that’s carefree yet calibrated – that's the mood for summer of 2025. Feeling the heat, yet?