What To Wear With Red Shorts (6 Unique Options)

It’s no question that the color red can be a big attention-grabber. It is a bold, striking, and daring color that people associate with energy, passion, emotion, and excitement.

Indeed, red shorts are fun, vibrant, and attractive – but only when paired with the right top! This post will help you avoid fashion disasters and rock your red shorts with style and swagger. 

We will share what to wear with red shorts and, more specifically, what color shirt goes with red shorts. Plus, we’ll recommend the best places to wear some of these top looks.

What Color Shirt Goes With Red Shorts

It can be easy to get carried away when choosing red shorts, pair them with various mismatched colors, and end up looking like a clown. Here are 6 shirt colors that pair well with red shorts:

1. White Shirt

White is a classic shirt color that is neutral. It goes effortlessly well with pretty much any color of pants or shorts, but it especially pairs well with hard-to-match colors like red.

If your shorts are bright red, a white shirt will complement the brightness instead of clashing with it as most other colors might do. This look is fantastic for summertime fun – whether you’re at an outdoor festival, at a boat party, or drinking champagne at a lake house.

You can wear a loose button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves for a smart-casual look or rock a v-neck t-shirt for a fun casual look. Heck, a plain white tee shirt would do just fine.

Further, you can get away with wearing dark red shoes to balance out this outfit stylishly, but we suggest playing it safe and pairing the ensemble with white shoes. That way, you won’t run the risk of having two different shades or tones of red, which would be the worst outcome!

2. Light Red Shirt

We just mentioned how pairing red with red could be risky, but if you are certain that the red in your shirt is the same or almost the same type of red as your shorts, but just lighter, then you can rock an all-red outfit that is sure to turn heads.

This look works especially well if the light red shirt is striped or patterned, as it provides a bit of contrast and visual interest. Remember to keep the rest of your accessories simple, so your outfit doesn’t look too busy or overwhelming.

This outfit combination is perfect for dates, barbecues, and other spring or summer activities where you want to dress up a bit while remaining comfortable and cozy.

Light blue shoes can work well if you want to make even more of a statement. This shoe color is a louder choice than white or black but it can work if you wear it with confidence.

When deciding what to wear with red shorts, a lighter shade of red matches well with dark red.

3. Navy Blue Shirt

A navy blue shirt with red shorts conveys patriotism first and foremost, especially when paired with white shoes. That said, this outfit is excellent for – you guessed it – the Fourth of July!

But you don’t have to limit yourself to only wearing this outfit on Independence Day. It is also a fantastic choice for summer concerts, BBQs, and any outdoor activity that is casual yet festive.

This combo also works well if your red shorts are bright, as it can provide a much-needed contrast. And if you want to take it up a notch, add a pop of color with your shoes or socks.

For example, you could wear red shoes or white and blue striped socks to add a bit of fun and personality to your outfit. Or, you can stick with the basics and wear white sneakers instead.

4. Black Shirt or Hoodie

A black shirt with red shorts is a great way to add a bit of edge and drama to your outfit.

This is an excellent choice for a night out on the town or a more casual date night. This color scheme communicates confidence and sexiness without being too over-the-top or risqué.

You have the option of dressing this outfit up or down with your choice of shoes. Black shoes are a great choice for a more stylish evening, while white shoes work well for a casual daytime event.

It can also be a great choice for a day at the office (if your office has a more relaxed dress code). For this purpose, consider wearing a white or light blue button-up under a black sweater.

Lighter red shorts go best with black shirts due to the contrast it achieves.

Dark red shorts with a black shirt may look too washed out, serious, or grim. But if that’s the look you’re going for, then more power to you!

5. Light Blue Shirt

A light blue shirt with the wrong color of red shorts can look tragic.

However, if you pair a very light blue shirt – a touch away from white – with medium-to-light red shorts, you can achieve the perfect spring or summertime look.

Just remember to wear this outfit combination during the right time.

We recommend going for this lighthearted apparel of black shirt and red shorts for fun cookouts, lunch dates with your significant other, or just basic everyday wear.

When it comes to completing the look, the safest bet is to tie it together with a brown belt and brown shoes, especially if you are going to an event where you want to look more put together.

Alternatively, white sneakers won’t let you down for an ultra-casual approach.

6. White and Black or Multi-Colored Patterned Shirt

Lastly, a white and black patterned shirt is one of our favorite answers for what color shirt goes with red shorts because red, white, and black always have and will always work well together!

This stylish color combination of white, black, and red works so well because the contrast between white and black is bold, which complements the bold color choice of red.

This outfit looks best when the pattern on your shirt is fairly simple, as you don’t want to overdo it with too many patterns. And refrain from adding any additional colors to the mix.

A great way to complete this outfit is with a pair of black or white shoes, as it pulls the whole look together without veering off. Timeless sneakers like Nike Air Force Ones would do just fine.

Final Thoughts

Now you know what to wear with red shorts.

You can pair red shorts with white, light red, navy blue, light blue, black, or black-and-white-patterned shirts for an eye-catching, fun look.

Red shorts are a stylish choice that can make any man look confident throughout the spring and summer. Pairing red shorts correctly will surely convey some level of strength and power.

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