There is a variety of shorts that exist for a breadth of different functions, such as working out, carrying extra items, comfort, durability, and much more. Mockups are essential in testing out how people are biting on different images. They can be easily customized for e-commerce and help customers imagine what it will be like wearing them or pique the potential target market’s curiosity and affinity for a particular promoted brand.
Types of Shorts
In order to understand the different ways that shorts mockups can be used for e-commerce or promotion, we first have to analyze what types of shorts are produced and consumed. Here are the varieties.
Casual shorts
These are the most common type for everyday wear, especially during the warm season. They can be super short or all the way down past the knees and are typically made of cotton, denim, or linen. They’re comfortable for people to run errands in or go to social outings with friends.
Athletic shorts
These are designed for exercise and physical competitions. They are often made of polyester or nylon to keep the body from overheating during exercise. They may feature built-in liners, stretch fabrics, and ventilation panels. They often come in the shorter variety and feature less chafing when running.
Cycling shorts
Made of stretchy, moisture-wicking materials that hug the body, providing aerodynamics and reducing friction. Some have built-in padding in the seat area.
Cargo shorts
These feature multiple large pockets on the side of the leg, made usually of sturdy cotton or cotton-blend fabric, the material and pockets available rendering them well suited for outdoor activities, hiking, and work. They tend to be on the long side. Research Gate recently investigated how mockups extend the service life of work shorts as well.
Board shorts and swimming trunks
Suited for water sports like surfing, swimming, or the beach. They’re made of quick-drying materials like polyester or nylon and feature a drawstring waistband for a secure fit. They’re usually knee-length.
Denim shorts
These are made of the same fabric as jeans but are shorter-cut for warm weather. They can be styled at the cuff or left raw at the hem for a more rugged look. They’re good for street style or a laid-back look.
Chino shorts
These are a more refined, tailored version of casual shorts. They’re made of chino fabric and are often worn for smart-casual occasions. They can be informal or semi-formal depending on the shirt and shoes, rendering them versatile.
Bermuda shorts
These are knee-length shorts that cover more of the leg than traditional summer shorts. They are well-suitable for formal or business-casual settings, especially when it’s hot. They’re good for hot tropical climates when formality is still needed.
Sleep shorts
Lightweight, comfortable, and made of cotton, jersey, or silk, these come in various lengths and are good for keeping cool during hot nights.
Skort shorts
This is a cross between shorts and a skirt. They’re often worn during athletic or casual occasions and are good for playing tennis, golf, or other activities where freedom of movement is needed, yet a more feminine flair is preferable.
Creative shorts ideas
In producing mockups, it’s important to really take the person mentally to scenarios in which they’re wearing the shorts. This will raise their interest level in buying and also generate curiosity about the brand being marketed. Here are some mockup ideas for shorts.
Street style mockups
In an urban setting like an alleyway with graffiti, roller skating, or hanging out on a porch. The model is relaxed and surrounded by elements like skateboards or cars being repaired.
Sports and active lifestyle mockups
Show off the shorts in motion during a game of pick-up basketball, during jogging, or while someone is cycling. This shows off their functionality and the high-energy activities they’re designed for.
Beach and poolside mockups
Show a beach environment or a pool with someone lounging around under an umbrella. Add beachballs, surfboards, or glasses to drive home the laid-back vibe.
Mix in accessories
Add belts, hats, hoodies, tank tops, bags, or sneakers to shorts mockups in a way that flatters the shorts as part of a trendy outfit. Show the model running errands or meeting friends in casual environments to show off the comfort and versatility.
Grunge or retro style
Create a vintage-inspired environment with retro elements like oversized jackets, old-school sneakers, and vintage cards, evoking the timeless appeal of grunge and the 90s.
Outdoor adventure mockups
For cargo or utility shorts, show people forging a hiking trail or campsite along with backpacks, hiking boots, and compasses to show the practicality and nature-friendliness of your design.
Summer festival or concert mockup
Show people wearing the shorts in boho-style outfits, dancing, or enjoying live music surrounded by crows, emphasizing fun, carefree moments, and youthful, energetic appeal.
Sustainability and eco-friendly themes
Show someone walking through a forest, field, or by a lake. Add recycled accessories or natural materials to emphasize how environmentally friendly the shorts are.
Flat lay mockups
These are great for showing different clothing items side-by-side, to show how the shorts are complemented by t-shirts, shoes, or sunglasses.
Angles and closeups
Show the waistband, pockets, and cuffs zoomed in to show how the fit feels and looks from different angles.
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the evolution of fashion industry designs, as Tech Packer reports. It’s limited as a standalone designer but is proving a handy tool.
Downloading mockups
The most cost-efficient way by far to come up with mockups is by downloading them from an online library. There are many on the web today and you’ll be sure to find images that directly portray the general presentation for your shorts that you’re hoping for. Here is how downloading them would work
- Go to the website Yellowimages.com.
- Find the left-side menu and open up the Apparel section.
- Select Shorts.
- Flip through all the angles and closeups of the mockup.
- Ascertain that you’d like to test this mockup out.
- Select the file and license type.
- Add it to cart to continue shopping or download it straight away.
GIMP directions
For those looking to maximize functionality in their mockups and add a breadth of realistic features that make the images look convincing and striking while saving money, GIMP is a great and simpler alternative to Photoshop, as it is free and open-source.
Here is how to edit shorts mockups in GIMP.
- Go to File > Open and open your mockup file.
- Add your design by selecting File > Open as Layers and ensure the design is placed above the shorts layer in the Layers panel.
- Position and resize the design using the Move Tool to adjust the position and the Layer > Scale Layer option to resize it to fit the shorts.
- Refine the design using the eraser tool to create a precise selection with the path tool to clean up edges around hems and seams.
For casual shorts made of Denim or Chinos:
- Use warp for fabric folds (Tools > Transform Tools > Warp Transform to align the design with seams and natural folds.
- Add texture: duplicate the shorts layer, set it to overlay, and mask unnecessary areas to add fabric texture.
Athletic or compression shorts
- For a stretching effect, go to Tools > Transform Tools > Perspective to mimic fabric stretching.
- Add a glossy highlight by creating a soft gradient layer (white to transparent) and setting the blend mode to Overlay.