Men's Work Shorts

Our work shorts are built for the days when trousers are too much — multi-pocket cargo styling, hard-wearing fabrics and a cut that works through a summer on site. Choose black, grey or khaki for general trades, or white painters' shorts for decorating work. Free UK delivery on orders over £35.

Choosing work shorts for men — by trade

The right pair depends less on brand than on what you carry and what you kneel on. Use this as a starting point.

If you work across trades, the black cargo pair is the safest single buy. It reads as neutral on any site and hides ground-in dirt between washes.

Work shorts sizing — waist and fit

Our work shorts men's sizing runs on nominal waist, 30" to 42". Every figure below is the finished garment measured flat, in centimetres — not a body measurement — so compare it against a pair you already own rather than against yourself.

How to use it. The garment waist runs about 3 cm above the nominal size — a 30" pair measures 79 cm flat, giving roughly an inch of ease over a 76 cm body waist. Order your usual jeans size and that ease is already built in.

The back rise is 10 cm deeper than the front across every size. That is what keeps the waistband up when you crouch, rather than gaping at the back.

The hem stays at 27.5 cm on all seven sizes. So the leg opening is generous on a 30" and closer-cut on a 42" — if you take a larger waist and prefer a roomy leg, check that figure first.

Between sizes? Size up. They sit over a belt and get worn kneeling and climbing, so the waist needs give that jeans do not.

Fabrics and construction in men's workwear shorts

Most workwear shorts for men fail in one of three places: the pocket corners, the crotch seam, or the waistband stitching. Construction matters more than fabric weight.

Poly-cotton blends are the site standard. Polyester carries the abrasion resistance and dries fast; cotton carries the breathability and stops the fabric feeling plastic in heat. Choose these for groundwork, joinery and anything abrasive.

Lighter jersey and fleece blends move better and breathe more, but they abrade faster. They suit warehouse, delivery and yard work rather than kneeling on grit.

Stitching is what actually fails. Look for reinforced or triple stitching along the load-bearing seams — the stress points where a single row gives way first. You notice the difference in month four, not week one.

Multi-pocket layout. Cargo pockets on the thigh, back pockets with flaps, and a phone pocket sized for a modern handset. The point is that you stop needing a tool belt for small work.

Our range covers different fabrics for different jobs. Check the individual product page for the exact composition before you order.

When to wear work shorts — and when not to

Most retailers will not tell you this, so we will.

Shorts are usually fine for: landscaping and grounds work, warehouse and yard work, delivery driving, workshop and joinery work, decorating interiors in summer, and most domestic jobs.

Check before you turn up in shorts for: commercial construction sites, anywhere with a formal risk assessment, hot works, groundworks with buried services, or any site operating a principal-contractor PPE policy. Many UK sites require full leg cover as standard, and site rules override personal preference. A five-minute check with the site manager saves a wasted journey.

Never wear shorts for: hot works, chemical handling, chainsaw or strimmer work, or anywhere requiring flame-resistant or cut-resistant leg protection.

If your work moves between both, keep a pair of work trousers in the van. Our work trousers run the same sizing approach.

Caring for your workwear shorts

Wash at 30–40°C, inside out, pockets emptied — a forgotten screw destroys a drum and a pair in one cycle. Skip the fabric softener; it coats the fibres and reduces breathability over time. Line dry where you can. Tumble drying on high is what shrinks a fabric blend and tightens a waistband that fitted perfectly in June.

Repair small seam splits early; a ten-minute fix at the pocket corner adds a season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between work shorts and normal shorts?

They are built around load and abrasion — heavier fabrics, reinforced stitching at stress points, and cargo pockets sized for tools rather than a wallet. Casual shorts fail at the pocket corners and crotch seam within weeks of site use.

What size work shorts should I buy?

Order your usual jeans waist size — the garment waist already runs about 3 cm above nominal, so a 30" pair measures 79 cm flat. If you are between sizes, or you wear a tool belt, size up.

Are cargo work shorts allowed on construction sites?

It depends entirely on the site. Many commercial sites require full leg cover under their PPE policy, while domestic, landscaping and warehouse work usually permits shorts. Always check the site rules before you travel.

What length are your work shorts?

Ours sit around knee length — long enough to protect when kneeling, short enough to stay cool. Shorter cuts look smart but leave your knees exposed on any job involving floor work.

Do you sell women's work shorts?

Not currently. Our range is men's sizing, 30" to 42" waist.

How long should a pair of work shorts last?

On daily site use, expect a season to two seasons from a well-made pair. Cheap single-stitched shorts typically split at the crotch or pocket corners within a few months.