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Would You Wear Jul 25, 2008 @ 11:00am

Would You Wear Short Shorts?

We’ve been discussing the idea of men wearing short shorts (think above the knee, mid-thigh or shorter in length) all summer now and we’re still at arms.

Britt and Hayley both think hemlines shouldn’t creep too high, but just above the knee is ok. I’m all for them as long as the shorts aren’t too tight, and if the wearer has great legs worthy of being exposed. (Natalie thinks the higher the better, especially if you’re a soccer player, but she’s just gross like that.)

On the Spring ‘08 runways, everyone from Dsquared to Bottega Veneta featured thigh grazing lengths that quickly took to the streets. We’ve seen them paired with everything from tiny tank tops and Converse to button down shirts with boat shoes.

We love a guy that can take a risk and show some serious leg, but not with the possibility of indecent exposure (whatever, Natalie).

So guys, would you wear short shorts? And to the girls - should they?

—KYLE HAYES
(photo from The Sartorialist)

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Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 11:03AM

Topman has some of the cutest short shorts...

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 11:08AM

I've been wearing shorts this length since spring 07. After getting weird looks on the street for some time, it seems to be finally catching on a bit. Before the nineties, all shorts were this length and shorter, right? What happened in the nineties that made people believe that man thigh is indecent exposure? I say on the right guy the more man thigh the better.

posted by styleexchange

Jul 25, 2008 11:10AM

LOVE IT. It's basically the reason Wesley was my fave on the new Project Runway. It's only awesome-looking if the guy has the legs for it, of course.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 11:15AM

Hi guys,

I'm all for guys in short shorts. They def are not for everyone but I like them. European men are known for wearing short shorts. Look at recent images of Cristiano Ronaldo. They can be terribly chic with loafers and button downs. So my vote is yes!

Ryan Mac

posted by bastylefilegirl

Jul 25, 2008 11:21AM

I'm not a fan of men in short shorts, although Wesley is one of the few who I think pulled it off partly because he's young and also a designer making it acceptable.

But stuff like this .....

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/07/22/cristiano-ronaldo-burnt-legs/

Is SCARRRRRRY!

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 11:23AM

Mid-thigh and lower, as long as he has nice legs. I've been admiring the men on the sartorialist who do this all summer long.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 11:32AM

all about it, baby....

http://bp1.blogger.com/_UvQAKqmI5z8/SH1ZSrEEuUI/AAAAAAAAIZM/cureJ1SuK8Y/s1600-h/IMG_9144.JPG

posted by la petite fashionista

Jul 25, 2008 11:37AM

When I went to visit my roommates boyfriend at his fraternity in Auburn we had a big sartorial discussion about why they preferred to wear shorter shorts. They had a rule they couldn't wear them to their knees because it looked, i don't know like every other college guy?

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:05PM

I'm really into shorter shorts for men. I have an admittedly preppy style, and they're fantastic wear with boat shoes and a light oxford.

I also agree with these frat boys (being one myself), and say that anything I can do to distinguish myself from other guys on a campus of 40,000 (ILL-INI) is good for me!

Finally, I will say this: I didn't wear these shorts until I deemed my legs appropriate, because no one wants to see pasty, awkward man legs in short shorts.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:13PM

I usually go for a bermuda length short, however I have some short shorts from a few years back that vineyard vines produced, one is lime green, the other azure blue. they're to mid thigh on me but I think thats because Im 6'5.5'' ( and most people I know who work for VV are under 6') . With the humidity and heat, as long as they're not restricting the shorter short can help keep you feeling cool

posted by marc lover

Jul 25, 2008 12:25PM

i'm from/live in the south, and for smaller men, it's the norm to wear shorts above the knee. my dad is 5'9" and has always worn his shorts above the knee. i think it has a lot to do with boating and the need for mobility and to keep cool. down here, seeing shorts like the pic from sartorialist is the norm. however, i get a little annoyed with them. luckily, my husband is 6'7", so he doesn't wear short shorts cause he would look ridiculous!!!

posted by i hope

Jul 25, 2008 12:28PM

I'm a huge fan, I think it's stylish and very attractive- either preppy with mocs/boat shoes or hipster with an oversize tee and bike sneakers. Also agree with the Wesley comments, I thought he was adorable.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:28PM

I can not stand guys in short shorts. I do not think it is cute at all.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:32PM

I'm 6'3", it's hard to find shorts that go below the knee and don't look horrible. I get flack about it occasionally from my friends at school but I don't really care.

posted by zinzielizabeth

Jul 25, 2008 12:47PM

Love me some man shorts. The guy in the Sart photo looks great (I'm suprised no one has anything to say about the giant silver cuff though??).

I think we can all agree that tight shorts are a no-go. I had a recent experience wherein a cobrasnake-esque disciple was wearing some loud biker shorts. At a dance party. Need I continue?

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:52PM

I love tasteful short shorts. As long as they aren't too effeminate, I think they can look awesome!

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:53PM

my bf sports short shorts and rocks them, I don't think it is so much about length as it is about tightness (fitted is cute but tight has the potential to . . . show too much junk)

i haven't worn shorts since they were sprinkled with flowers and rhinestones in the 1st grade.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 12:56PM

i dunno if it's good or bad, but for the time being it will be noticeable, and will certainly make me think of 70s basketball players.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 1:48PM

As a short guy, I definitely need short shorts. Moreover, my legs flatter me much more than my top does (hooray for tennis!), so it's all I really got.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 1:57PM

I def. would wear them. I don't have soccer player legs, in fact, I have chicken legs. But I'm not afraid to wear them. I mixed them with converse too. If you feel good in them, why not show it to the world?

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 2:56PM

I think men's legs are so sexy. The shorter then better I say (yeah I'm gross too).

posted by FashionIntelligentsia

Jul 25, 2008 3:20PM

I am with Natalie, totally.

posted by hipstersdontlie

Jul 25, 2008 5:53PM

I wear short shorts! but not too short. I have the rag & bone tan safari ones from this summer. got em cheap at coop!

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 6:58PM

I prefer slim shorts that go mid-thigh to above the knee on men. I think if they're too long or too wide, they look sloppy.

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 7:06PM

Men in short shorts are fine. And aesthetically is looks better/more functional.

I don't understand why some are against/repulsed men wearing 'shorter' shorts. As if men have such different legs than women, ha!-- they are only legs, human legs.

Maybe some people are just too caught up in the social dressing norms as established in the 90s, no?

Maybe some are just a little too homophobic, or intimated by not rigidly adhearing to some American cultural 'norm' for men's display of legs, no?

Because, yes, men's shorts were above the knee in prior. Just ask your father. I don't think the 90's and introduction of long shorts for men will be remembered as a decade of amazing fashion for men.... or women. Let's be realistic here, shall we?

posted by LeMagnifique

Jul 25, 2008 7:20PM

Interesting ! I went shopping early on...
I tried some great white tailored shorts. They looked great but shorts in town make me self conscious:I am 6'4".Tut.Tut. :-)
Short shorts are great with toned thighs and legs...
I rock shorts plus flippers at the seaside without a care in the world lol.
In London all men wear these stupid below the knee shorts.
I should rock some capri pants sometimes.This will be a hit.:-)
L+

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 7:43PM

I actually love the look i made at least 5 pleated pair in a few differnt colors patterns im only 5'10" and they hit mid thigh they look good on me i guess because i just dress in a very classic prep way except for my belt usually studded but at school i get looks everyone else is into the 90's hiphop movement

posted by guest

Jul 25, 2008 8:18PM

I'm a guy, and I'm very thin with the exception of my legs and I really like short shorts, they make you look taller. So any trend is welcome if it allow you to show your best attribute.

posted by dumbbrunette5

Jul 26, 2008 5:11AM

to guest 25, how on earth is finding short shorts ugly considered homophobic? you are aware that straight men do have legs, and as such are physically capable of wearing short shorts just as well as gay men. i also wasnt aware that there was a cultural norm that dicated how mens legs should be displayed. i think you are reading way too much into this. some people think men in short shorts are ugly and some people dont. just like some people find sweaters ugly and others dont. its not because they have been conditioned to believe that wearing sweaters goes against the cultural norm, its just a personal preference

posted by guest

Jul 26, 2008 4:18PM

I would never wear short shorts.I try and steer clear of shorts in any form(I'll wear skinny jeans even on the hottest days) but wearing short shorts just makes me feel like I left the house wearing only my boxers.

posted by guest

Jul 28, 2008 12:08PM

I am a flight attendant who travels all over the country and the world i have been wearing short shorts for two years this trend in not dying down. I think so many men have great legs and people like to see men show off there legs . I don't have a single friend that won't wear short shorts .

posted by guest

Aug 01, 2008 2:41PM

I'm a guy who's short and slim, sort of athletic. I'm starting to look for shorter shorts, not tight, but more fitted because I think I look better in them than in the "long and baggy" looking shorts.

I think a lot of people embrace the "long and baggy" look to hide their increasing paunch and because they think if they dress young, they'll look young.

Same with swim wear: when I go to the beach I don't want board shorts that reach my calves. For one, i don't want to look like a toddler or teenager. Two, I don't like dragging all that material through the water when I swim. And three, I'm at the beach to get some sun, I want more skin exposed.

posted by guest

Aug 12, 2008 10:59PM

I am a guy who has been around a "while" and I have worn extremely short shorts (3" inseam down to 0" inseam)all my life. At one time a few years ago, I only owned two pair of long pants and one pair were suit trousers. I did, at the same time own
eight pair of "Daisy Dukes". Three pair were very tight, 1" or less inseam
cut off jean shorts. I'm about average size, 180 lbs, 6' tall. My wife and others have told me I have great legs "like a woman"! I have kept them shaved and lotioned for many years. I use "sunless tanning lotion" year around, but especially in winter. Yes, I DO wear shorts all winter long. I am not effeminate in any other way, I just love very tight, very short shorts. They are comfortable and I like the attention I get!

posted by guest

Sep 05, 2008 11:08AM

I am a gay man and I love the feel of booty shorts.

posted by guest

Nov 26, 2008 2:22PM

I'm always wearing short shorts.I'm 5'4" tall.I've got great shaved legs and I like to show them off.Short shorts have more freedom of movement.Wouldn't mind sending a pic of me with them on

posted by guest

Apr 17, 2009 7:43PM

I am amazed at the amount of controversy that men in short shorts can evoke. True, some men don't have the legs (or bods) for short shorts. That being said, I think people should wear whatever they want (as long as it doesn't constitute indecent exposure--that's what underwear is for). In the interest of full disclosure, I wear short shorts most of the time--really brief, snug (or tight) fitting, short shorts with a 1" inseam or less, and in public. I wear bikini underwear so as to keep my private parts private. I'm an older guy (don't ask) with good, smooth legs (I don't need to shave them--thyroid problem?) and I like to show them off. I also like the feel of short shorts with the cool air on my legs, so I wear them in private as well. I get both complements and insults. But some women are really turned on by my shorts and legs (and butt), so that fact alone will keep me wearing them.

posted by guest

Oct 14, 2009 1:48PM

I love shorts mid-thigh in warm weather. Practical and comfortable. The issue of exposure is there; I've had nice comfortable shorts where someone standing on a stairway well below me might get a glimpse of a testicle when looking up. That situation is rare enough not to make it a major concern. Pocket length can be an issue, though; I don't like pockets that hang below the hem when I sit down.

posted by guest

Nov 12, 2009 11:45PM

I'm with Natalie. I love men in short shorts, especially if they have great legs, like rugby players -- yum.

posted by prettykersten

Nov 13, 2009 12:09AM

i love women who wear short as long they are attractive and decent to look...