Grey shorts are a great choice for summer because they’re incredibly versatile. You can find them in different fabrics and styles, which makes them easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion. To get the most out of your grey shorts, pair them with a variety of shirts and t-shirts. Light colors like white, pastel, or soft blues work well for a fresh, casual look, while darker shades can add a bit more contrast. Whether you’re going for a relaxed vibe with a tee or a sharper look with a button-up shirt, grey shorts will complement your outfit perfectly this season.
Styling shorts for summer seems easy at first, but once you own a few pairs, you realize there’s a bit more to it. There’s always a chance of looking too casual, which can feel tricky with shorts.
Grey shorts are a great choice for creating smart-casual looks. Their subtle color makes it easy to mix and match with almost any other color in your outfit. You can pair them with soft, neutral tones like white or cream for a classic look, add a sleek black shirt for something more refined, or go bold with bright colors like pink for a pop of fun.
Grey is a great, versatile base color that pairs well with many shades. Here are the colors that tend to look best with most types of gray shorts, creating stylish and balanced outfits.
Grey Shorts with a Black Shirt
Choosing black and shades of grey creates a classy, refined look. This minimal use of color draws attention to the shape and fabric, so it’s worth considering these details when you shop.
Fabrics like linen, seersucker, terry cloth, and technical nylons add texture and depth to your outfit. And while black and gray outfits may be simple, you can still add personality with accessories. A standout pair of sneakers or a bright cross-body bag can make a stylish statement against the dark base.
Grey Chino Shorts with a Long-Sleeved Black Polo Shirt
We love the long-sleeved knitted polo because it’s a versatile piece in men’s fashion. You can pair it with a charcoal grey suit for a formal look or keep it casual with shorts.
Cotton chino-style shorts, especially with turned-up hems, make the outfit more relaxed but still polished, fitting right into the smart-casual category.
Finishing off the look, simple tennis shoes add a clean, stylish touch.
Light Grey Cotton Jersey Shorts with a Black T-Shirt
For a sporty look, go for light gray shorts in soft cotton jersey, paired with a black T-shirt.
A good wardrobe should include plenty of quality black cotton T-shirts—they’re versatile and easy to style. Choose a relaxed fit to match the casual feel of the shorts.
This simple look gets a clean, minimalist touch with crisp white sneakers.
Mid-Grey Cotton Shorts with a Black Short-Sleeve Shirt
With straight-leg shorts, you can go for a more structured top, like a short-sleeve shirt.
The straight hem of the shirt looks clean against the grey shorts, and a bit of a white tee peeking out underneath adds a nice contrast to the darker colors.
Grey Shorts with a Blue Shirt
Shades of blue, whether dark midnight or light cornflower, pair well with light gray. Avoid dark gray with blue, as it can dull the color’s depth.
Blue is a versatile color, allowing you to create either a bold or classic look, depending on your shirt and shorts style.
Choose fabrics thoughtfully so each color stands out. For instance, if your shorts are smooth poplin, pair them with a textured top like a knitted polo or brushed cotton shirt to add depth to your outfit.
Tailored Grey Chino Shorts with a Navy blue Fitted Polo
These shorts have a smart, tailored look, so they pair well with a sharp polo shirt. The clean lines of both pieces work nicely together, while the deep navy shirt contrasts well with the light gray shorts, making room for a statement belt.
For a stylish summer touch, add a linen blazer, or a shawl-neck cardigan for cooler evenings.
Pale Grey Terry Shorts with a Blue Henley Shirt
Terry cloth is a fantastic, breathable fabric that’s perfect for summer and has a relaxed feel, making it easy to style with casual shirts.
For a sporty look, a cotton jersey Henley shirt is a great choice. Its collarless neckline, three-button placket, and soft shape pair nicely with the athletic style of terry cloth shorts.
Grey Shorts with a Green Shirt
Textured Grey Shorts with an Olive Green Shirt
Olive green is a fantastic color that works well in every season. It’s versatile and easy to style no matter the time of year.
When worn as a shirt, olive green pairs beautifully with other earthy tones, particularly gray. While this combination is muted and understated, sometimes you don’t want your outfit to be overly flashy.
The textured quality of the shorts adds extra depth to the overall look, making it visually interesting.
Grey Cotton Shorts with a Forest Green T-Shirt
This forest green T-shirt is the perfect example of off-duty style, offering a bolder look than the olive green option.
The combination of forest green and gray is still subtle, with both colors being understated. Together, they create a relaxed and confident vibe that feels effortless.
Grey Chino Shorts with a Green Cotton Piqué Polo Shirt
This classic cotton piqué polo shirt showcases a brighter shade of green that adds energy to your outfit, perfectly balancing the tailored look of the gray shorts.
What really stands out is how well the polo shirt matches the green accents on the shoes, creating a cohesive and stylish appearance.
Grey Shorts with a Grey Shirt
If you appreciate minimalism, you’ll enjoy a tone-on-tone look using different shades of gray, which is one of the most neutral colors.
Mixing gray tones creates a modern and stylish appearance that can still look polished, even when paired with tailored shorts.
Light Grey Cotton Shorts with a Dark Grey T-Shirt
This outfit represents the perfect no-fuss, off-duty style. The simple contrast of tones is what makes it work effortlessly.
It doesn’t attempt to be overly fancy; instead, it offers a relaxed yet sophisticated monochrome approach to casual dressing.
Flat-Front Grey Shorts with Dark Grey Camp Collar Shirt
This outfit is a great example of how to use different shades of gray smartly. The short-sleeved Cuban collar shirt brings a relaxed summer feel, perfectly matched with cotton Bermudas. The look is completed with a subtle third element—a layered tee in gray.
The outfit is nicely balanced by the pearly white sneakers, adding a fresh touch to the overall appearance.