In menswear, whether or not you can wear shorts past a certain age is a hotly debated topic. The late fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies said that a man should “never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour”. Some are still in this camp, believing that shorts should be left in the school playground and exist in a grown-man’s wardrobe exclusively for gym sessions or running marathons. Others – thankfully, most – are of the opinion that shorts can be worn at any age. And at any length.

Here at MR PORTER, we firmly fly the flag for the latter. Just look at stylish guys such as Pedro Pascal, who wore Valentino Garavani shorts to the Met Gala, or Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Harry Styles, who have been papped running errands and revelling at Glastonbury in their very-short shorts. For Londoners, it’s more surprising to spot Paul Mescal in anything else off-duty.

The thing to consider if you’re going to wear shorts is that there are times and places where they are more acceptable. First, unless your work dress code permits it, we advise against wearing shorts to the office. A red-carpet event? Assuming you’re not Justin Bieber, we wouldn’t greenlight that, either.

“It’s well known that men have a much harder time dressing during warmer times than when it’s cold,” says Adrien Communier, style editor of GQ France. “Shorts are fine at the weekend, but I would avoid wearing them for work or for any kind of event where more serious attire is required. If your job allows you to wear them, go for something plain like black, beige or grey.”

Now we’ve got that out of the way, the places where eyebrows will never raise over exposed knees naturally include tennis courts, your 7.00am gym class and on a beach in August. However, their wearability doesn’t stop there.

Shorts are one of the most versatile items of clothing you can own. They can really transform an outfit. But where to begin? Well, the basis to any good wardrobe is having carefully curated core pieces. You need to own clothing that you’re actually going to wear. With shorts, you essentially need four or five pairs that you can wear on rotation.

“When it comes to summer staples, every man needs a straight-leg, single-pleat, cotton-linen Bermuda short,” says stylist Carlotta Constant, who dresses Ashley Walters and Tom Grennan and often puts celebrities in shorts. “Think effortless sophistication that transitions from strolling around Hyde Park to yacht decks off the Côte d’Azur, and even a smart-casual dinner.”

Constant advises sticking to Bermudas in neutral tones, preferably beige and a darker hue such as chocolate brown or black, from brands such as Brunello Cucinelli, Massimo Alba and Loro Piana. These will allow for more versatility in how you can style them. Bermuda shorts that sit knee-length pair well with a boxy-fit white shirt for a smart look and can be dressed down with a vest and oversized knit. As ever, look to Tyler, the Creator for inspiration.

“To me, a five-inch short is super-classic,” Die, Workwear!’s Derek Guy recently told us. Dare we say it, there’s room to go even shorter. And if you’ve really committed to leg day, now is the chance to show off all your hard work.

Since a good chunk of your thigh is already on display, go all-in with a statement colour, such as these Consciously Crafted ripstop drawstring shorts by A Kind of Guise. Alternatively, make your gams the main event with a more conventional black from Mr P. – also from our Consciously Crafted edit – or an exceptional sand-toned linen from Stòffa.

A pair of straight-leg denim shorts, like those timeless ones seen on Andre Agassi in the 1990s, are a great addition to any wardrobe. They can be paired with a simple white T-shirt and sneakers, or a sweater vest and loafers for a more preppy look. Denim cutoffs come in all shapes and sizes, but again, for a grown-up take, we recommend pairs that are cut just above the knee. AGOLDE and Cherry Los Angeles are your go-tos here.

Next up, grab a pair of cargos, which will become your everyday shorts. More relaxed in fit and style, these will help you nail a grown-up version of Gorpcore without looking like cosplay. What’s more, they’re super-comfortable as well as functional and look great with a T-shirt or polo knit. Cargo shorts come in an array of guises, from Gucci’s monogrammed khaki cutoffs to a trippy pink camo from Gallery Dept., making them an easy way to add a pop of colour to an outfit.

To avoid going overboard, keep the rest of your outfit muted. “Shorts are the ultimate canvas for colour experimentation,” Constant says. “They let you break out of your comfort zone without the full commitment.”

It’s worth mentioning that swim shorts are no longer just for swimming. Today, guys are wearing classic swimmers as shorts in the city as much as they are poolside. “Swim shorts can go from sand to sidewalk with a bit of styling finesse,” says Angelo Mitakos, fashion editor at British GQ. “Channel the spirit of the Riviera teamed with an open white linen shirt for that ‘La Guérite’ beach-club vibe.”

Add sleek leather sandals in lieu of pool slides for a more sophisticated look. And you need to think about fit. “Always go for a more tailored look, nothing with an elasticated waist and try to avoid fussy patterns,” Mitakos says. “Orlebar Brown is an easy go-to, and they do matching sets to make styling them even easier.”

To conclude, shorts as an adult are acceptable – you just need to know how to wear them without looking like you’re off on a playdate.