I have a complicated relationship with shorts.

My general belief is this: shorts are a child’s clothes. Once a man passes the age of majority, absent his attendance at the swimming pool, the beach, the gym or the track, his legs should be covered.

Rare is the pair of short pants that causes me to diverge from this assumption.

Occasionally, however, I encounter a pair that inspires me to reassess my biases. A little while ago, I happened upon just such a pair–from Fairfield, Conn.-based Just Madras. We’ve featured Just Madras before in these virtual pages; their American-made clothes and accessories are near-and-dear to our collective hearts.

Classic with a nautical sensibility, these gingham Bermuda shorts are a perfect addition to a summer look.