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11 Corduroy Shorts Built for Summer Days

Take a nod from surf culture and wear the tough fabric through the warmer months.

corduroy shorts Courtesy
Kevin Cortez

By Kevin Cortez

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If there’s one thing we can learn from surfers, it’s how to dress for comfort in warm weather. One fabric that reigns supreme in the world of surf, and even summertime skating, is corduroy. Not just for fall and winter, corduroy is a tough material that offers surprising comfort on warmer days. Find a pair of corduroy shorts and wear ‘em with a short-sleeve collared shirt or a camp collar shirt while you hit the beach this season.

Corduroy for Summer?

Corduroy pants can keep you warm, sure, but as a short they’re as breezy as cotton. There’s a reason why surfers and skaters of the ’70s and ’80s preferred the rows of ribbed yarns, called wales, of corduroy: It can take a beating. It can trap heat, but not much when it’s loose and in the form of shorts. Much like Dickies‘ workpants have been co-opted by the athletes of extreme sports, corduroy serves the purpose of a tough-wearing fabric that’s built to take on saltwater, sunshine and minor scrapes.

Simply put, corduroy shorts were made for an active lifestyle. They’re reinforced at the seams for durability, somewhat loose in the leg for maneuverability and look great when they’ve gotten slightly faded from the sun’s rays. Look no further than Ocean Pacific, a ’70s-born beachwear brand that dominated the surf and skate scenes with its ribbed short.

Of course, your climate may vary. Wearing corduroy in the spring and summer is easier for those who live well above the southern hemisphere or are located on a windy coast by the water. If you’re looking to stay cool in cords, opt for those with a shorter inseam length than 7 inches. The higher the hem hits your thighs, the breezier you’ll be.

Keep in Mind: Corduroy Will Fade

It won’t look bad, though. Similar to a pair of denim jeans, corduroy fades through use and wear. However, it’s got a unique way of fading that gives them pretty cool character. Corduroy softens over time with each wash, creating a fuzzier touch similar to velvet on the skin. It’ll also lose its tone and color through direct contact with sunlight and areas of high stress. You’ll begin to see fading between its wales on the fabric’s significant stress points. This is usually around the knees of a corduroy pant, but on a pair of shorts, the fade could be caused by your wallet.

Classic to its core, these corduroy shorts by Birdwell are a slight upgrade to the ones from the ’70s. They’re 14-wale corduroy — in others words, offer 14 cords per inch — and have bar-tacked stress points for extra reinforcement. They’ve also got deep front pockets, wooden buttons and a colorway that already has that faded look. They’re available in blue, charcoal, sand, navy and olive.

Made in the USA with 14-wale corduroy, the Local Shorts are a summertime staple for Battenwear. They have a drawstring for an adjustable fit and hit mid-thigh in length, but its the subtle asymmetrical pockets that make these shorts visually interesting.

Cookman USA believes that chef clothes should be worn by everyone, and this 100% cotton twill corduroy pair is no exception. They’re strapped with a string loop for keys, two side pockets and two in the back. Loose and slightly long, they’ll keep you cool all day with their baggy fit that invites plenty of airflow.

These Outerknown 16 wale corduroy shorts are good enough to wear year-round. Made of organic cotton, they’ve got an inseam length that runs just below the knee and a straight leg that keeps them tame. Grab a pair in one of six colors.

In-house J.Crew label Wallace & Barnes updates the corduroy short with a mixture of rugged and classic appeal. These come in a 6-inch inseam and look similar to a pair of field shorts you’d take out on a hike. Its faded, fuzzy texture looks right at home with traditional vintage garments that’ve lived through decades of washes.

Calling back the era of short shorts worn by skaters, surfers and camp counselors alike are Hammies’ colorful cord shorts. They sit way above the knees with a 3″ inseam, so they may be risqué for some. But their elasticized waist and two deep front pockets make them an easy choice for summertime errands. Grab a pair in one of 11 groovy, faded colors.

These corduroy shorts by Banks Journal have a smaller cord wale, resulting in a nice, thicker fuzzy corduroy texture. They’ve got a contrast panel, porkchop pockets and elastic waistband for some added stretch. They also have a wash that lends it a vintage look.

Todd Snyder makes its corduroy shorts with a broken-in look and feel, and at 5-inch inseams, they’ll feel extra comfy hitting the mid-thigh. An elasticated drawstring gets rid of belt worries, and a single buttoned back pocket will help secure your wallet. They’re also available in 7-inch inseams.

Straightforward and unassuming, the Katin Kord Patio Short is as easy wearing as it is attractive. Complete with dtrawstrings, front slash pockets and a faux fly, these are blended with cotton and spandex that offer extra stretch for spring and summer comfort. Plus, they sit right above the knees for a breezier fit. They come in blue, gray, khaki and olive.

Brooks Brothers is having a resurgence in popularity as of late, and its corduroy shorts look good enough to understand why. They’ve got stretch and a flattering 5.5-inch inseam, in addition to oxford-cloth lined pockets and nice pronounced hem. They wouldn’t be out of place paired with a Brooks Brothers shirt, either.

In a “Teapot Blue” reminiscent of dusty jorts, these cord shorts by Madewell are easy pull-ons thanks to the elasticized waistband and lack of a belt loop. Its 6.5-inch inseam lets them hit above the knee, making them laidback but not too casual, and their regular fit still offers some baggage.

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