Ready for a Thigh Guy Summer with M&S

Whether you clocked it poolside at Cannes or via a flick through fashion’s current mood board, one thing’s clear: men’s shorts are getting shorter. The return of the 5-inch inseam—and its bolder, briefer cousins—isn’t just a fleeting seasonal quirk. It’s the menswear mood of summer 2025. And M&S is stepping up (or rather, cutting up) with its shortest-ever range of shorts.

Dubbed ‘Thigh Guy Summer’, the trend is part nostalgic throwback, part contemporary confidence—equal parts athletic and assured. Think Connery-era Bond, filtered through a Paul Mescal-shaped lens, with a decent dose of Gen Z irreverence thrown in for good measure. It’s not about showing off; it’s about showing up with comfort, intention and a bit of leg.

With designers and celebrities sending hems north across recent catwalks and campaigns, M&S has leaned in. For SS25, they’ve introduced a full refresh of their men’s shorts range—spearheaded by a brand-new extra short length coming in at under 5 inches. That’s a full thigh statement for those ready to embrace it.

The move isn’t just about keeping cool in the heat. It’s about rethinking the staple summer silhouette. M&S’s update brings choice: whether you’re heading to the beach or navigating a sticky city commute, the range spans both the Stretch Chino Short (£20) from M&S Collection and the more elevated Autograph Super Lightweight Chino Short (£35), available in regular and slim fits. You’ll find a palette of easy-to-pair neutrals, with styling designed to transition effortlessly from trainers to loafers, vest to resort shirt.

It’s not all polished tailoring, though. M&S is also keeping things casual with its new swimwear line, which leans even shorter. Here, inseams hover around the 3-inch mark, tapping into vintage athleticism and Riviera cool. Worn by M&S’s own ambassadors Mark & Spencer (yes, really), these are the sort of shorts that make an early claim for holiday hero status. Pool, bar, repeat.

The wider message from M&S is pretty clear: if you’ve ever wanted to channel a little of that confident, Mescal-in-a-Gucci-shorts energy—but weren’t quite sure where to shop it—this is your sign. The high street stalwart has gone all in on the trend, and they’re doing it at price points that won’t demand a stylist or a second mortgage.

So, whether you're an early adopter of the thigh-baring look or a curious newcomer testing the waters, M&S’s latest drop has you covered—just not too much.

You heard it here first: summer 2025 belongs to the thighs.

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