10 best work shorts UK 2023 including Carhartt and Dickies

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WHETHER you’re after some shorts for your actual job, or you just want a utility-inspired pair for your weekend wardrobe, adding a pair of work shorts to your rotation is a smart move.

Usually made from hard-wearing cotton or lightweight, waterproof technical fabrics, work shorts are comfortable, practical and surprisingly versatile. Coming with a pocket or two on the thigh, and with flattering relaxed fits, they will keep you cool on-site and will add a rugged edge to your summer casualwear. From where to find the right pair to how to style them and what to look out for, here’s everything you need to know about this underrated wardrobe essential. 

Things to consider 

What are work shorts? 

Work shorts are very similar to cargo shorts. They typically come with side pockets, either in the form of expandable bellows pockets, flap pockets or patch pockets. Typically these are designed for holding tools, documents or other daily essentials since work shorts are primarily intended to be worn for manual, outdoor work. And that’s the difference with cargos. Where cargo shorts do have pockets, they are typically worn for fashion, whereas work shorts are a bit more hardcore. 

Work shorts will also usually be made from a super durable fabric; usually cotton blended with a polyester or nylon to give it added strength. They might also be treated with a water-repellent coating, and will nearly always be abrasion or tear resistant. In short, if you need a pair of shorts that will have your back on a building site or carpenters workshop, or if you want to add a technical, seriously utilitarian feel to your look, this is the only way to go. 

How to style them 

You can wear work shorts in much the same way as you would a pair of cargos. The two styles look very similar and therefore wear in very similar ways. They’re an inherently casual piece and will make a great addition to your weekend attire. Go for a relaxed-fitting pair and wear them with boxy T-shirts or polo shirts, and finish with a pair of canvas trainers or retro running shoes. Alternatively, you could dress them up slightly by wearing them with a Cuban collar short-sleeve shirt, and complete the look with chunky boat shoes.

Best work shorts at a glance:

Wrangler Authentic Men's Premium Twill Cargo

  • Wrangler Authentics Men’s Premium Twill Cargo Short, £27.74 from Amazon - buy here

Coming in a sturdy 100% cotton fabric, a relaxed, comfortable fit and with a total of eight pockets, this Wrangler design is a quintessential pair of work shorts. Wrangler has a long heritage of producing hardy utilitarian clothing, with its denim jeans among the first in the world alongside Levi’s and Lee.

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It’s applied some of this design history to these shorts, with the four cargo pockets perfect for storing all manner of daily essentials. Elsewhere the two slash pockets are ideal for keeping your phone and wallet safe, while the two rear flap pockets will hold keys, sunglasses or anything else you have to hand. 

Dickies Men's Everyday Short

  • Dickies Men's Everyday Shorts, £25 from Amazon - buy here

Dickies has always been renowned for its workwear. While the brand has expanded to the fashion game with its seasonal trend-led collections, the brand still produces a reliable line of genuine workwear pieces designed for a hard day’s work. This pair is the brand’s ‘Every day’ short, designed to be easy to wear, functional and practical enough to be worn day in and day out.

It comes with cargo pockets on the side and a comfortable straight, loose fit. Made from the brand’s trademark cotton polyester blend fabric, they can take a beating but will look good while doing so. Try them with a simple T-shirt and trainer combination and you can’t go wrong. 

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Gap Cargo Shorts

  • Gap Cargo Shorts, £45 from Gap - buy here

Although more of a fashion piece than a true pair of work shorts, these cargos give you 80% of the look with even more comfort. The soft, washed 100% cotton fabric will be kind to the skin, while the large cargo pockets and relaxed fit offer up plenty of practicality. 

Uniqlo Nylon Utility Geared Shorts

  • Nylon Utility Geared Shorts, £24.90 from Uniqlo - buy here

High street retailer Uniqlo has taken plenty of inspiration from classic work shorts for this pair. They’re made from lightweight, technical nylon fabric, noted for its toughness, and come with a water-repellent finish to ensure moisture glides right off them. The integrated belt buckle offers plenty of comfort, as does the elasticated, adjustable waistband, while the zipped thigh pockets are as practical as it gets. 

Carhartt Workwear Ripstop Cargo Work Shorts

  • Carhartt Workwear Ripstop Cargo Work Shorts, £48 from Misuplies - buy here

Carhartt has been making utility clothing from its headquarters in Detroit for decades. This pair hints at the brand’s knowledge of the sector, given that they’re made from a military-style cotton ripstop fabric. The pockets are lined with Cordura, while the two large cargo pockets come with snap closures for added reassurance. 

Himalayan Icon Multi Pocket Heavy Duty Work Shorts Cargo

  • Himalayan Icon Multi Pocket Heavy Duty Work Shorts, £18.95 from Amazon - buy here

Offering incredible value, and everything you could ever need from a pair of work shorts, this Himalayan pair might be the only pair you need. The elasticated waist provides excellent comfort around your middle, while triple stitched seams, a YKK brass zip and deep combat pockets offer all the quality and confidence you could want.  

Dickies Redhawk Pro Work Shorts

  • Dickies Redhawk Pro Work Shorts, £35 from Dickies - buy here

Incredibly practical and affordable, this Dickies pair is perhaps the best deal on this list. They’re made from the brand’s cotton polyester fabric and come complete with a ruler pocket, cargo pockets for tools, a holster pocket for a hammer and a mobile phone pocket. There’s not much they won’t hold. 

Cotton Traders Cotton Cargo Shorts

  • Cotton Cargo Shorts, £23 from Cotton Traders - buy here

Another comfortable alternative to hardcore work shorts, this Cotton Traders pair comes with a partially elasticated waist, ensuring they’ll feel more like a pair of pyjamas than traditional shorts. They’re made from soft cotton and come finished with patch pockets on either thigh offering plenty of storage. 

Service Works Classic Chef Shorts

  • Service Works Classic Chef Shorts, £49 from Blacksmith Store - buy here

A more minimal alternative to work shorts, Blackhorse’s Classic Chef shorts are cut from a heavy-duty, BCI-approved cotton canvas, making them more than suitable for the professional kitchen. The elasticated waist, rich navy shade and generous, relaxed fit make them perfect for your summer rotation, too. 

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Strauss Cargo Shorts

  • Strauss Cargo Shorts, £65.88 from Strauss - buy here

While many work shorts are made with rigid fabrics, this Strauss pair is cut from a stretchy cotton blend, designed to move with you rather than against you. They’ve got a vintage wash to them, which also happens to be dirt-repellent, so they’ll stay looking fresh all day long. 

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