Above the knee, not too baggy.

Board shorts should sit a few inches above the knee and fit close enough that they don’t billow in the water, but not so tight that they look like compression shorts.

That sweet spot is usually a 7-inch inseam (or shorter if you’re shorter). Any longer and they start looking like capris or cargo shorts from 2007 – you’ll be tying them too high or they’ll drag. Any shorter and you’re in speedo territory, and chafing becomes a real problem.

The waist should stay put without a belt (drawstring does the job). Some room in the thigh is fine, but avoid the “skirt” look where the leg opening flaps around. That fabric creates drag when swimming and looks sloppy on dry land. Most modern boardshorts use a 4-way stretch fabric, so you don’t need excess material to move.

One more thing: avoid boardshorts with huge velcro pockets or cargo flaps. They add weight, trap water, and make you look like a tourist.

Go for a mid-thigh length, slim-but-not-skinny cut, and you’ll be fine in the water and at the bar.