Table of Contents

The Curious Case of Mayor Lewis’s Purple Shorts: A Comprehensive Guide

What can you do with Mayor Lewis’s purple shorts in Stardew Valley? The answer is surprisingly multifaceted, offering players a range of quirky and rewarding options beyond simply returning them to their rightful owner. These aren’t just any pair of pants; they’re a pivotal item that opens up secrets, opportunities for humor, and even fashion choices. From causing comedic chaos to unlocking unique interactions, the infamous purple shorts have a lot to offer. Here’s a breakdown of the many things you can do:

Return Them to Lewis: The most straightforward approach. Doing so grants you 750 gold and one friendship heart with the Mayor. This is a quick and easy option, especially early in the game.
Grange Display Bribe: Place the shorts on your display at the Stardew Valley Fair. This triggers a hilarious reaction from Mayor Lewis, who, mortified, offers you 750 Star Tokens as a bribe to keep his secret under wraps.
Culinary Catastrophe: Add the shorts to the Luau soup. This results in a unique and memorable reaction from both Governor and Mayor Lewis, showcasing the game’s quirky sense of humor.
Beachside Fashion Statement (for Lewis): If you give the shorts to Lewis while he’s visiting Ginger Island, he will, rather unwillingly, wear them as his beach attire for 28 days.
Tailor Them for Yourself: Combine the shorts with a gold bar at a sewing machine to create a wearable version of the trimmed purple shorts for your character.
Secret Keeping: Choose to keep the knowledge of finding the shorts secret during the related quest with Marnie and Lewis. This results in a thank you from Lewis. If you reveal the secret, Lewis will cry, and Marnie will be left confused when you run away.
Duplicate the Shorts: Using a staircase in your pants slot allows for turning them into trimmed purple shorts. Therefore, you can duplicate the mayor’s shorts for all the above shenanigans.

Each use has its own charm, making the purple shorts a highly versatile and amusing item in your Stardew Valley adventures. The choice of how to use them often depends on your priorities: Are you looking for quick cash and friendship, a hilarious event, or a new fashion statement?

Unlocking the Secret of the Purple Shorts

Finding the Elusive Garment

Before you can engage in any of the shenanigans detailed above, you first need to obtain the infamous purple shorts. The shorts are not immediately accessible. You can only get them after you reach a friendship level of two hearts with Marnie. After this, you will be able to enter her bedroom. Located inside Marnie’s bedroom on a shelf is Mayor Lewis’s secret pair of purple shorts, which you can pick up and pocket without her noticing.

Marnie’s Friendship

To get those two hearts with Marnie, focus on gifting her items she loves. Here are a few options:

Universal Loves: Items like Prismatic Shard, Pearl, Magic Rock Candy, Golden Pumpkin, and Rabbit’s Foot. While the Prismatic Shard, Pearl, and Magic Rock Candy can be difficult to obtain, players will receive a free Golden Pumpkin annually at the Spirit’s Eve festival.
Specific Loved Items: Diamond, Farmer’s Lunch, Pink Cake, Pumpkin Pie.

Talking to her daily also helps in building that friendship quicker. Additionally, you can complete her request to bring her Amaranth. By doing so she will give you 500g and increase your friendship with her by one heart.

Exploring the Uses in Detail

The Economic and Social Choices

Returning the Shorts: Giving the shorts back to Lewis early on can be an easy way to get some extra cash. 750 gold may not be much later in the game, but early on, it can definitely help in your farming endeavors. The additional friendship point with Lewis might also be beneficial if you are looking to get in good with the mayor.
The Grange Display: Opting for the Grange Display at the Stardew Valley Fair is a unique approach. The 750 Star Tokens you receive are useful for obtaining valuable festival items, and the interaction itself is a comedic highlight. This is a popular choice among players who enjoy the game’s more humorous moments. This is a one-time opportunity per playthrough, adding to its unique nature.
The Luau Soup Incident: Adding the shorts to the Luau soup may seem like a bad idea, but the resulting scene is hilarious and unforgettable. Though it does not offer material rewards, the unique dialogue and reactions from the Governor and Mayor Lewis are worth the price for players looking for a good laugh.

Fashion and Fun

Tailored Style: Transforming the shorts into a wearable item allows you to add a bit of quirky flair to your character. These aren’t the most practical pants, but wearing Mayor Lewis’s trimmed purple shorts is a fun way to add a bit of uniqueness to your character’s look. Combining them at the sewing machine is the only way to get this item.
Beachside Humiliation: Giving them to Lewis on Ginger Island is probably the most hilarious and cruel option. Seeing Lewis walk around the beach in his purple shorts for nearly a month is something few players can resist. This adds a sense of chaos to the usually peaceful beach and is a great choice for players seeking the more comical interactions.
Secret Keeping: When confronted by the fact that you know about the relationship, keeping the secret results in a thank you from Lewis. On the contrary, revealing his and Marnie’s secret will cause him to cry. Keeping the secret is a good choice if you are looking for the most beneficial social outcome.

Duplication: The Endless Possibilities

As mentioned, using the staircase glitch means you can create multiple copies of the shorts. This means you can have a pair for the Grange Display, one for the Luau, a pair for wearing, and even give one to Lewis on Ginger Island. This bug offers an excellent way to explore all of the different possibilities with Mayor Lewis’s shorts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I get Mayor Lewis’s purple shorts?
You need to reach two hearts of friendship with Marnie to gain access to her bedroom where the shorts are located on a shelf.
Can I wear Mayor Lewis’s original purple shorts?
No, the original shorts cannot be worn by the player. You need to combine them with a gold bar at a sewing machine to create the wearable trimmed purple shorts.
What happens if I put the shorts in the Luau soup?
You’ll get a unique and humorous reaction from the Governor and Mayor Lewis.
What do I get if I display the shorts at the Stardew Valley Fair?
Mayor Lewis will offer you 750 Star Tokens as a bribe to keep his secret.
Is there any way to get multiple pairs of the shorts?
Yes, you can use a staircase in your pants slot to create trimmed purple shorts. This method can be repeated, allowing you to duplicate them.
What are the best gifts to give Marnie to get her to 2 hearts?
Give her Universal Loves, Diamond, Farmer’s Lunch, Pink Cake or Pumpkin Pie.
Can I marry Marnie in Stardew Valley?
No, Marnie is not a marriageable character.
What happens if I give the shorts to Mayor Lewis on Ginger Island?
He will wear them as his beach attire for 28 days.
Is there a benefit to keeping the shorts a secret?
If you keep the secret, Lewis will thank you. On the contrary, telling everyone will make him cry.
What is the best thing to do with Mayor Lewis’ shorts?
The “best” option depends on your play style. For an economic boost, return them. For laughs, try the Luau or Grange Display. For fashion, tailor them.
Why are Mayor Lewis’s shorts in Marnie’s bedroom?
It is heavily implied that they have a secret romantic relationship.
How does using a staircase help duplicate the shorts?
The staircase glitch allows you to turn staircases into wearable items when placed in your pants slot. When you try to do this, the staircase will be turned into the trimmed purple shorts.
Does the secret of the shorts have any impact on the game?
The secret impacts the dialogue and reaction from Mayor Lewis and Marnie. Keeping it will have the best social outcome. However, It has no further impact on the game itself.
What other items can I tailor in Stardew Valley?
You can tailor a wide range of items, from clothing to crafting materials, at the sewing machine.
Is it possible to get the sewers before getting the shorts?
Yes, the sewers are unlocked by donating 60 items to the museum, which is completely unrelated to the shorts.

The mystery of Mayor Lewis’s purple shorts is a testament to the playful and intricate design of Stardew Valley. Whether you seek financial gain, comedic moments, or a unique sense of style, these shorts offer something for every player. By exploring all the options available, you can truly appreciate the depth and humor hidden within this seemingly simple item. Happy farming!

What can you do with Mayor Lewis shorts?