1 Shorts are unavoidably casual; there is no serious situation in which you want your knees on show.

2 Black shorts should be left to keen cyclists – this is summer wear and shorts should reflect that.

3 Despite their appeal orange and bright green shorts will only work with very dark skin. But if you’ve got dark skin go for it.

4 If you’re hankering after some colour, brick red is most forgiving, but the two fail safe choices are faded navy and khaki.

5 White shorts are great, if you’ve got a tan, but they can only be worn once before hitting the laundry basket. And, if you’re lucky enough to be going on someone’s yacht, check in advance you’re not about to dress like the crew.

6 Very thin linen shorts get creased too easily, as we’ve learned from bitter experience.

7 Men with short legs should think about shorts that fit around the waist rather than the hips.

8 Hem length is subject to the vagaries of fashion, but just grazing the top of the knee is a safe bet. The narrower the shorts the shorter they should be.

9 Get a women you know and trust to offer some realistic advice about your knees. Some men may do better to invest in linen trousers than shorts.

10 There’s something great about the old colonial look (although we’re not ready for long beige socks or the pith helmet), but the best thing to take from it is that turn ups can be stylish.

11 ¾ length trousers are totally, wholly and completely unacceptable. Ever. At all. Under any circumstances.

Shorts pictured, £85, by Tommy Hilfiger