Can a Grown Man Really Wear Jorts? Yes, If You Do It Right.

Let’s be honest: jorts are divisive. One wrong move and you’re firmly in "dad at the grill" territory — and not in the cool, normcore way. But done right, they’re a power play. Not ironic and not a costume; just a quietly confident move that says: "Yes, these are cut-off jeans, and yes, I meant to wear them."

The key is intent. If you look like you got lost on the way to a skatepark in 2004, start over. But if you get the proportions and the pairing right, you’re in business.

Think of jorts like wide-leg pants. They need a balance up top. You want structure: a boxy tee, a camp shirt, maybe even a lightweight jacket.

Footwear matters more than you'd think here. Don’t reach for anything overly engineered. Keep it grounded: classic sneakers, loafers, even a Birkenstock if you know what you’re doing. Also, the longer the inseam, the more you’ve got to control the silhouette above the knee.

And look, nobody’s saying jorts are the answer to all of life’s style questions. But they’re a very solid answer to the question: What the hell do I wear when it’s 90 degrees and I still want to look good? You’re grown. You don’t need permission. You just need to get the proportions right — and maybe leave the ironic mullet at home.