What is the best way for a man to wear shorts?

Shopping for my husband for his birthday and I’m still confused on the fashion rules regarding this one. What’s the best way to do it? Some men I know have a “no shorts rule” but we’ve already had some days in the mid-90s and it’s unavoidable. So, what is the best way to coordinate the shoe/ sock situation? White socks, short socks, no socks, black socks, what do you think? He turns 31 on Sunday and ideally he’ll be putting this off for at least 20 years.