What Material Should I Buy for Shorts? A Complete Fabric Guide

When it comes to buying shorts, most people focus on fit, length, or style. But one of the most critical—and often overlooked—factors is material. The fabric used can drastically affect comfort, breathability, durability, and even how flattering the shorts are. Whether you're shopping for a weekend getaway, everyday wear, or gym kit, understanding the different types of materials used in shorts can help you make smarter buying decisions.

In this post, we’ll break down the most common fabrics used in shorts, assess their pros and cons, and recommend which materials are best suited to different body types, uses, and climates. You’ll also discover how to find the right size and fit across over 1,500 brands using Tellar.co.uk—the UK’s leading free sizing tool.

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Why Material Matters in Shorts

Choosing the right fabric isn’t just a matter of style—it affects how the garment looks and performs:

• Breathability for hot weather

• Stretch and mobility for activewear

• Weight and structure for a polished look

• Moisture-wicking or quick-dry properties for workouts

• Wrinkle resistance for travel or workwear

Each use case has an ideal material. And with brands often combining blends to optimise cost or performance, it’s essential to understand what’s in your clothing.

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1. Cotton – Classic and Breathable

Best for: Everyday wear, loungewear, casual outings

Common brands: Uniqlo, M&S, Levi’s

Cotton is one of the most popular materials for shorts—and for good reason. It’s soft, breathable, and lightweight. Pure cotton shorts feel comfortable in warm weather and offer good airflow. However, cotton doesn’t wick moisture well and tends to wrinkle easily.

Pros:

• Soft on skin

• Naturally breathable

• Easy to wash

Cons:

• Absorbs sweat

• May shrink if not pre-shrunk

• Less durable than synthetics

Look for cotton blends (like cotton-spandex or cotton-polyester) to get a bit more stretch and structure while maintaining that familiar feel.

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2. Linen – Lightweight and Cool

Best for: Holiday wear, heatwaves, resort-style fashion

Common brands: Massimo Dutti, Reiss, COS

Linen shorts are ideal for hot climates. They’re highly breathable and give off a relaxed, effortless vibe. However, linen wrinkles easily and can look a little crumpled unless blended with cotton or viscose.

Pros:

• Excellent breathability

• Natural texture and elegance

• Great for warm holidays

Cons:

• Wrinkles quickly

• Can feel scratchy if unblended

• Often more expensive

For a polished warm-weather look, pair linen shorts with a relaxed shirt. Use Tellar.co.uk’s shirt size tool to ensure a consistent fit across brands.

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3. Denim – Durable and Stylish

Best for: Casualwear, street style, festival looks

Common brands: Levi’s, Zara, H&M, Mango

Denim shorts are a wardrobe staple. The material is rugged, structured, and timeless. Most brands now offer stretch denim with elastane or polyester for extra comfort. The weight of denim can make it too hot for very warm days, but it's excellent for transitional seasons or cooler climates.

Pros:

• Structured and flattering

• High durability

• Timeless style

Cons:

• Can be stiff or heavy

• Retains heat

• Limited stretch unless blended

Use Tellar’s fit tool to input your measurements and find your perfect denim short size across different brands.

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4. Polyester and Nylon – Performance and Durability

Best for: Gym wear, running, swim shorts

Common brands: Nike, Adidas, Gymshark, Sweaty Betty

These synthetic fabrics are designed for performance. Polyester and nylon shorts are lightweight, quick-drying, and often moisture-wicking. Ideal for sport and swim shorts, they’re also wrinkle-resistant and long-lasting.

Pros:

• Quick-dry

• Strong and abrasion-resistant

• Lightweight

Cons:

• Can trap odours

• Less breathable than natural fibres

• Not sustainable unless recycled

If you're looking for gym shorts that fit well and stay in place during movement, choose styles with added elastane for stretch, and always check sizing via Tellar’s brand search.

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5. Viscose and Rayon – Soft and Silky

Best for: Smart-casual shorts, occasionwear, drapey silhouettes

Common brands: & Other Stories, Hush, Baukjen

Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric made from natural cellulose. It drapes beautifully and has a smooth, silky hand feel. Shorts made from viscose often have a floaty, feminine cut and work well for smarter summer outfits.

Pros:

• Drapes well

• Silky feel

• Looks dressy

Cons:

• Prone to shrinking

• Weak when wet

• Requires gentle washing

For softer, more formal shorts, viscose or blends with cotton/linen offer elegance and ease. Check your sizing across brands like White Stuff or Reiss using Tellar.co.uk.

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6. Tencel (Lyocell) – Sustainable and Soft

Best for: Ethical fashion, lightweight summer wear

Common brands: Thought Clothing, Nobody’s Child, ARKET

Tencel is a standout material in the sustainable fashion world. Made from eucalyptus pulp, it’s soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and biodegradable. Tencel shorts are perfect if you want softness and flow without the environmental guilt.

Pros:

• Sustainable

• Soft and breathable

• Moisture-regulating

Cons:

• Can wrinkle

• Slightly premium pricing

• Requires delicate care

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7. Elastane (Spandex/Lycra) – Built-In Stretch

While not a standalone fabric, elastane is often blended into other materials to add stretch. You’ll find elastane in activewear, cycling shorts, and even denim. Shorts with 1–5% elastane offer flexibility and comfort, especially for curvier or athletic builds.

Use Tellar’s body measurement tool to assess whether a stretch or structured short will suit your proportions best.

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Which Material Is Best for You?

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Tips for Choosing Shorts by Material and Body Shape

• Curvy body types: Choose shorts with some stretch (cotton with elastane or soft denim blends). Avoid rigid denim that can gap at the waist.

• Tall figures: Linen and viscose flows well and helps balance height with relaxed proportion.

• Petite frames: Opt for tailored cotton blends or high-waisted shorts to elongate the leg line.

• Athletic builds: Look for elastic waistbands or polyester blends with stretch for full movement and fit.

You can find personalised recommendations with measurement-based sizing on Tellar.co.uk in under 30 seconds.

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Final Thoughts: Always Match Fabric to Purpose

Ultimately, the best fabric for shorts comes down to use and climate. A summer holiday calls for linen or Tencel. A gym session requires polyester and elastane. Casual weekends? Go for soft cotton or denim. Understanding your wardrobe needs—and your body shape—makes all the difference.

With so many brands using vanity sizing or inconsistent charts, using Tellar.co.uk helps you avoid returns, find the right fit first time, and shop smarter.

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Ready to Find Your Perfect Fit?

Explore Tellar.co.uk to:

• Match your body measurements to over 1,500+ brands

• Compare sizes across UK, US, EU systems

• Choose the best fabric and fit for your lifestyle

• Create a free profile in seconds: https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

Follow Tellar.co.uk for style, fit, and sizing tips:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter (X): @Tellar100

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/TellarUK

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