RELATED: Big Hair, Big Looks: 70s Fashion For Men
Before The Booty
Men’s mini shorts were originally made for sporting events and not for casual or leisurewear. It made sense: athletic pursuits and activities like running, swimming, or going to the gym were a lot easier with short shorts.
Later on, short shorts were also adopted by the LGBT community in the 70s as a fashion statement and a symbol of their sexuality, especially after the beginning of the modern gay rights movement in the United States. But as far as trends were concerned, short shorts were primarily a female-only attire and almost no clothing brands made them exclusively for men.
Weather, Style, And Weathering Styles
However, there’s been a strong push recently for men wearing short shorts to go mainstream. An excellent example of this is Chubbies, which has a dazzling lineup of pastel five-to-seven inch shorts designed specifically for men. Celebrities have also started rocking out with their thighs out: stars like Childish Gambino and Armie Hammer have worn them on and off camera.
In 2019, men suddenly started owning up to the short shorts. It isn’t uncommon to see a pair or two around the beach, in the pool, or in a coffee shop on a warm day. Like so many other fashion trends, men in short shorts just… happened.
But What Do The Ladies Think?
As a clothing style that for the longest time belonged solely to them, the ladies have mixed reactions about men in short shorts. Opinion seems split down the middle: some women think it’s perfectly acceptable for guys to show their thighs in any situation, as long as it’s done with decency. Others believe that it should only really be allowed during sporting or physical activities. And there are some women that just outright disagree with the entire idea.
Whatever the case, it seems like the best way for men to wear short shorts in public is to more or less follow the same (sometimes unspoken) rules that women follow when wearing them. Here are a few of them:
Quick Tips For Men Wearing Short Shorts:
- Be prepared to shave. One of the most significant issues with wearing short shorts is that it exposes a lot of leg. So if your legs are pretty hairy, you might have to consider trimming or shaving.
- Length matters! Unlike women, men wearing short shorts have some dangly parts that make wearing them a little tricky. Unless you want to be arrested for indecent exposure, wearing shorts that are at least five to seven inches long is a good idea.
- Note the material. Denim short shorts may sound fine, but let’s face it: your manly bits will make wearing them difficult. As much as possible, choose stretchy material for short shorts. Not only will they not cut into the groin, but they’ll be more comfortable to wear for long periods.
- Design is everything. Not all short shorts are created equal. If you have an (ahem) bigger package than most people, don’t insist on packing it in. Some shorts can offer allowances for that, so you can strut your stuff and still be subtle about it when it matters.
Flaunt What You’ve Got
Will the debate about acceptable ways to wear men’s short shorts ever be settled? Probably not. Perhaps the best way to wear men’s short shorts is the same way to wear any risky outfit: just own it, man.
RELATED: Minimalist Fashion: 10 Best Minimalist Style Outfits
