The chilly mornings and rainy days as of late may make it seem like summer will never arrive, but as soon as Memorial Day rolls around, we will be in the thick of summer. The number one style staple of summer is shorts! There are many different types of shorts and figuring out how to wear them can take a bit of trial and error. Here are a few tricks and tips to shake up your shorts style this summer.

Khaki and casual are ubiquitous, and while docker-like pants have a “dad” feel, there is no shame in sporting a pair of khaki shorts, especially if you’re going for a monotone look. Style your beige shorts with a similarly toned lightweight knit tank-and-cardigan matching set and white sneakers for a minimalist daytime summer outfit. When shopping for khakis, I tend to err on the side of classic cuts with a 5” inseam and a mid-rise waist. Gap, J. Crew, and L.L. Bean are all good sources for sleek flat-front khaki fits.

While cut-offs are always going to be popular, this summer, longer Bermuda style denim shorts are on trend. Like khakis above, a longer short may give off a “mom jeans” vibe, but you can make them feel fresh by pairing them with other trends, like sweater vests and clogs. Or dress them up by wearing a longer, more fitted jean short with heels and a blouse. My go-to for all things denim is Levi’s, but also check out the selection at Kohl’s.

With jeans shorts don’t feel limited to the standard washes. White and black denim in longer silhouettes are an unexpected way to make this style feel more up to date. If wearing a white short, go with other white pieces for a casual, yet chic summer outfit. For black jean shorts, I tend to wear them like a black trouser paring them with button-downs, V-neck sweaters, and blazers. Obviously, that’s an early summer approach to shorts style. As the days get hotter and more humid, keep things simple with a graphic t-shirt or striped tank and sneakers.

Another summer-time favorite are bike shorts. No longer restricted to aerobics classes, bike shorts are making a comeback to the streets. Just about every retailer out there has bike shorts on offer. From brightly colored cotton versions at Loft, to standard black nylon at Walmart. The key to pulling off bike shorts is proportion. Whether you go with a solid or a patterned pair, keep the top half loose to counterbalance the tighter fit on the bottom. You can totally lean into an oversized button-down with bike shorts, or for a higher-waisted pair, consider a roomy cropped t-shirt. Sneakers are the obvious footwear for this activewear kind of look, but I’m thinking an athletic-style sandal is a more stylish take.

Like bike shorts, sweat shorts are another on-point option for this summer. The trick is not to overthink them. Keep it simple with a t-shirt, crewsocks, and sneakers. To liven up this basic look, go for a tie-dyed or hot pink pair of sweat shorts like those available at Old Navy. A bit of color and pattern will perk up an otherwise simple summer look. Or, if you prefer a more polished approach, go with a pull-on style of shorts in a less casual material. Linen, organic cotton, silk, you can find easy on-and-off shorts in a variety of fabrics. Try pairing dressier versions of drawstring, or pull-on shorts with classic summer staples like button-front or halter tanks. Look for tops with ruching or smocking for a romantic summertime look.

Shorts are definitely a seasonal garment, and you may find them to be more of a functional rather than a fashionable piece of clothing for summer. However, trying out fresh ways to style your standard shorts will help make them more fashionable and let you have some fun with your warm-weather basics. Now, I admit cargo shorts are a thing that exists, and that is all I have to say on that.