What Color Shirt Goes With Black Shorts? (Outfit Ideas)

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With so many colorful choices for the summer, black shorts may not be your first or second option. However, black shorts can offer a sleek and sophisticated look, if you pair them with the right color shirt. So what color shirt with black shorts?”

What Color Shirt Goes With Black Shorts?

The shirt colors that best complement black shorts are white, pink, grey, orange, yellow, and burgundy.

I’d like to clarify that this article primarily focuses on chino and cargo shorts, excluding other styles. However, the recommended colors should complement any short style. Additionally, regarding shirt styles, I’ll suggest various options such as casual shirts, polo shirts, and T-shirts to offer a diverse range of choices.

Black Shorts With A White Shirt

A classic choice for men is pairing a white shirt with black pants or with a black suit, and the same applies to black shorts. These neutral hues provide a sharp and impactful contrast. Alternatively, you can opt for a white polo shirt or a white T-shirt, maintaining a sophisticated appearance.

You might consider black sneakers, but since I recommend a black belt and a black watch, white sneakers (avoid running shoes) can balance the outfit with black shorts. This prevents the ensemble from being overly dark, especially when paired with a white shirt. Remember to add sunglasses for an extra touch of style.

Black Shorts With A Pink Shirt

A pink T-shirt might not be the best match for black shorts, as they lean toward a more formal vibe. However, a pink shirt or polo can be quite stylish. Men often stick to light pink shirts and overlook other shades, but exploring different pink tones can be refreshing.

Opting for a light pink shirt complements black shorts beautifully due to the contrast between both colors, but a dark pink shirt can also offer a sharp look. Vibrant pinks are better suited for white or blue shorts rather than black ones. Be confident with this option and it will grow on you over time.

Burgundy serves as an excellent intermediary between pink and black, making it an ideal choice for footwear like burgundy loafers, a matching belt, and a burgundy leather watch. If you prefer a casual touch, white sneakers are also a great option.

Black Shorts With A Grey Shirt

Combining grey and black creates a masculine and sophisticated look. Whether you choose a light grey shirt, a dark grey polo shirt, or a charcoal T-shirt, they all complement black shorts beautifully. Grey shirts are great for medium, olive, and black skin tones.

Light grey shirts beautifully contrast with black shorts, offering a balanced yet striking look suitable for casual daytime occasions or laid-back gatherings. While I lean towards lighter grey shirts with black shorts for a softer contrast, I must admit that a dark grey shirt adds a touch of elegance, especially for summer evening events.

Grey shoes complement black pants perfectly, and the same holds true for pairing grey loafers with black shorts and a corresponding belt. Personally, I opt for white sneakers paired with a grey belt for a versatile touch. Adding a grey or silver metal watch and chic sunglasses finishes off the ensemble with style.

Black Shorts With An Orange Polo Shirt

This combination may seem unusual to some, but pairing an orange polo shirt with black shorts can be surprisingly appealing, especially when you choose the right shade of orange. I prefer orange polo shirts over orange shirts or T-shirts for occasions that are casual yet slightly dressier, like outdoor gatherings, weekend outings, or summer events.

A vibrant orange polo shirt isn’t my top choice as it can be too vivid when paired with black shorts, although some guys like this combo. I lean towards a rust shade of orange, finding it contrasts better with black, and I’m not particularly fond of light oranges with black shorts either.

You have the option to choose between black or white sneakers based on your preference. If you’re feeling a bit bold, you can opt for a burgundy belt, but a black one is a great choice too. A grey or black watch would complement this outfit nicely, as both colors contrast well with the orange polo shirt.

Black Shorts With A Yellow Polo Shirt

The next standout option would be to combine a yellow polo shirt with black shorts. Just like with orange, selecting the perfect shade of yellow is crucial for pulling off this look and achieving a stylish appearance. I’d steer clear of yellow shirts or T-shirts for similar reasons as with the orange selection.

Yellow shades, both light and dark, make a striking contrast with black shorts, ensuring a standout appearance. While vibrant yellows are acceptable, they may not be the optimal choice in my view. Additionally, a gold polo shirt can be stylish, although it may not appeal to everyone.

To finish off the ensemble, go for black sneakers, a matching belt, and a sleek black watch. Alternatively, white sneakers can work, but keep the rest of the accessories black. And don’t overlook stylish sunglasses for that extra flair.

Black Shorts With A Burgundy T-Shirt

A burgundy short-sleeve shirt, polo shirt, or even a t-shirt all make excellent choices here. I particularly lean towards a dark burgundy over a vibrant burgundy shade, but any tone of burgundy works well. This combination radiates sophistication, especially in casual settings.

I’d go for burgundy loafers, a matching belt, and a watch to match, but if you prefer a more understated option, black sneakers or loafers, a black belt, and a leather watch would work well too. Finish off the look with stylish sunglasses.

How To Match A Shirt With Black Shorts?

When choosing a shirt to match your black shorts, factors such as color coordination, contrast, pattern usage, skin tone compatibility, and dressing according to the occasion are all crucial considerations.

Colors

When selecting the perfect shirt color to complement your black shorts, consider the analogous colors of black, which share similar undertones and create a harmonious effect. White and grey shirts work well in this context.

Black, as a neutral hue, lacks traditional complementary colors, but you can achieve a monochromatic look by pairing different shades of black with your shirt and shorts.

Contrast And Patterns

Creating contrast with black shorts can be challenging, but it’s achievable by pairing them with light-colored shirts. Additionally, dark shirts work well with black shorts, even if the contrast is subtle, due to the overall aesthetic appeal (but it’s summer, a fully dark outfit might not be as appealing, at least not to me).

When choosing a patterned shirt with your black shorts, ensure the shorts are plain to maintain balance. Conversely, if your black shorts are patterned, opt for a plain shirt. Also, if your patterned black shorts feature a shade like grey, a plain grey shirt will highlight the color connection in your outfit.

Skin Tone

When selecting a shirt to pair with your black shorts, it’s crucial to consider not only the best color combinations for your overall look but also how the chosen colors harmonize with your skin tone, as the right colors can accentuate your natural features and complement your undertone, ultimately enhancing your appearance.

No need to worry if your skin tone doesn’t precisely match the ones in the image. You can simply choose the skin tone that you feel is most compatible with yours and select the colors that you believe look best (ensure that those colors look good with your black shorts).

Dress For The Occasion

Shorts are typically worn for smart casual or casual occasions. Tailored shorts and chinos suit smart casual gatherings, while linen shorts are ideal for relaxed events. Most materials work well for these settings, but avoid denim or linen at smart casual gatherings.

Similarly, short-sleeve shirts are often associated with smart casual attire, while T-shirts are the most casual option. Polo shirts fall between shirts and T-shirts, making them suitable for smart casual or casual occasions.