Recently, the "jacket and shorts" style, where shorts are paired with a jacket, has become a staple for spring and summer. Key points for choosing the right pair are a length that just reaches the knee, a modern silhouette, and a model and styling that doesn't make you look like a serious athlete. Akihiko Sekikawa, image consultant at ISETAN MEN'S , picks out some of this season's must-have brands and explains how to style them.

The adult shorts to choose now: authentic or tech style.

Even though it's been a mild winter, once winter ends, it's time for shorts. However, when coordinating outfits with shorts, you need to be careful not to end up looking like a classic golfer's knickerbocker style or an athlete's style, and you also need to understand current trends, otherwise you might end up looking childish. So, we asked Akihiko Sekikawa, an image consultant specializing in luxurious adult casual style, to select the best shorts to choose now.

There are two types of shorts I want to check out. One of them is the authentic style.


"These are what you might call Bermuda-style straight-leg pants. The key point is the modern silhouette and design, which is different from classic shorts. They're not as tight-fitting or low-rise as they used to be, so they have a slightly more relaxed silhouette. You can pair them with blousons or jackets, but a slightly longer length works best for balance, and chunky shoes would also look good."

Another category is tech-related. There are two main categories: the recently emerging utility design category and the traditional sports and outdoor category. This time, I've chosen some up-and-coming brands from the utility design category.


"These shorts feature the latest functional materials and a relaxed silhouette, but you need to be careful not to make them look too sporty, or like you're just coming from the gym. You need to pay attention not only to the item selection but also to the coordination. If your top is outdoor wear or sportswear, you'll look like you just came from the gym, so you should be able to wear them in a more mature way by combining them with dressier items such as designer pieces."

Authentic shorts modernized with the latest silhouette.

Authentic shorts have a straight silhouette that fits snugly around the waist. The length should be just right; if they're too short, they can look like a sports uniform, but if they're too long, they can look like knickerbockers. Trying them on before buying is essential to find the perfect length. If you want to wear them in a more mature style, choose shorts with a straight silhouette. Even if they look like the old Bermuda shorts, recent shorts have been updated with modern silhouettes, such as tapered cuts or pleated waistbands. To add a fresh touch to your outfit, incorporate this year's trends with colors and patterns.

1. Engineered Garments

Transforming the rugged feel of workwear and military styles into urban looks.

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Fatigue shorts are a staple item from this brand. Made from ripstop cotton, they have a straight leg style with a workwear and military feel. Belt loops are also included at the waist. While the shorts tone down the ruggedness, they are an authentic style that can be paired with various tops such as jackets and blousons.


"The top is BARACUTA G4. I incorporated trendy safari and natural colors. Because the hem isn't tapered, the jacket hem and the sides of the pants are flatter than with the ribbed G9, which I think creates a more cohesive look. I was tempted to pair it with an Oxford button-down shirt, but I deliberately chose a yellow-striped cleric shirt. At first glance, it looks like a simple outfit, but the checked lining of the jacket acts as an accent, and the green and yellow in the check pick up the colors of the other items, which is a key point. It's a subtle point, but by incorporating the French-inspired mood of this season and the trendy pastel colors, I think it can be worn in a spring-like style. In addition to BARACUTA that protects against wind and rain, the shoes have Gore-Tex and a Vibram sole, so this outfit comes with the added bonus of being able to wear it without worry even in the unpredictable weather of spring and the rainy season." (Sekikawa)

• Items worn
  
  BARACUTA Blouson ¥50,600
  J.PRESS x Kenneth Field shirt ¥17,600 Engineered Garments shorts ¥26,400 ■ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 7th floor = Men's Authentic
  
  Clarks shoes ¥30,800 ■ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Men's Shoes

2. AURALEE

An artistic world depicted by beautiful gradients.

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AURALEE 's collection this season features many items in soft, faded gradient colors. These shorts are meticulously designed, from the blue gradient fabric to the placement of the pattern pieces, ensuring that the gradient is beautifully arranged on each part, including the left and right sides of the front and back.

3. Ami Alexandre Mattiussi

Wide tapered leg with a touch of esprit for a nuanced silhouette.

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Even the so-called Bermuda shorts are transformed into something elegant and sophisticated in the hands of Parisian designer Alexandre Mattiussi's Ami collection. These cotton twill shorts feature a wide, tapered silhouette with a single pleat at the waist and a classic button fly. Simply pairing them with a loosely fitting knit top will create a refined and elegant adult shorts style.

Tech shorts require a style that doesn't make you look like a serious athlete.

Tech shorts, featuring versatile materials and functionality, are a popular item following the trend of luxury sportswear. However, if they are too tight or too large, you might look like you've just come from the gym or are a track and field athlete, so aim for a moderate fit.

The brands you should choose are undoubtedly fashion brands with a modern sensibility. Modern design tops are suitable, but material selection is also important. Wearing a nylon outer layer will immediately give you an outdoor style, so the key to wearing it as city wear is to combine it with an elegant woven shirt or knit to add a mixed feel. Trendy tech shorts often have a relaxed fit around the waist and thighs and a slimmer silhouette at the hem. Therefore, a looser silhouette for the top would be better.

1. TEATRA

Shorts for digital nomads who carry all the necessary devices with them.

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TEATORA , a brand popular for its collections featuring a variety of functions, offers these shorts, aptly named "Device Cruiser," characterized by pockets that allow you to carry various items like a "bag." The sides feature large tote pockets that can even hold a tablet. Inside, there's a device partition for organizing small items like chargers and personal belongings. The packable pouch inside the waistband also functions as a security pouch.


" TEATORA 's tech shorts are easy to wear thanks to the puckering at the stitching due to garment dyeing and the matte texture that goes well with both woven shirts and knits. The lightweight, quick-drying, and stretchy material is also great for resort activities. There are tops made of the same material, but I deliberately chose to coordinate them with a utility parka and chunky sneakers for a cohesive look. In contrast to the authentic shorts shown above, which were expressed through color and pattern, this outfit is coordinated in monochrome, but the garment-dyed nylon shorts, washi paper x polyester parka, and eco-leather x reflector sneakers create subtle variations in texture." (Sekikawa)

• Items worn
  
  Minotaur Parka: ¥42,900
  TEATORA shorts ¥37,400 ■ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 6th floor = Men's Contemporary
  
  Stella McCartney men's sneakers ¥81,400 ■ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Men's Shoes

2. Theory

A simple and slim silhouette with an accent at the hem.

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These cotton jersey shorts feature a faux layer of pique knit peeking out from the hem. A matching short-sleeved top is also available, allowing for a coordinated set. The silhouette is slightly relaxed, and the elastic waistband with drawstring gives it a sporty feel, yet the design is sophisticated enough for everyday wear.

3. BYBORRE

These knit shorts feature a futuristic design with a bit motif.

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These shorts from Bybore, a brand founded by a Dutch textile designer, are part of the TDK (Textile Development Kit) Edition collection, which focuses on experimental design projects. The computer-generated bit designs in the knitwear are futuristic in both material and pattern. The harem-pant-inspired silhouette allows for a sophisticated urban shorts style.