# Are shorts appropriate for grownups of a certain age? How about cargo shorts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 25, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334 "2022-08-25T15:44:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/81 "2022-08-27T03:38:21Z")
I have no objection to pants, they are still fairly comfortable if chosen well even when it is hot. However, if it is hot and humid I prefer wearing shorts. I do not generally wear them while doing medical work. I spend a little time with people who share the opinion that adults should never wear shorts. I think this opinion is old fashioned. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/82 "2022-08-27T13:15:36Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > . [Are these looks not appropriate for grown-ass men?](https://www.jcrew.com/plp/mens/categories/clothing/shorts) > > I’d consider most of those shorts too short for any guy over 19. An inch or 2 or 3 above the knee is as high as I think looks okay; any more than that and we’re in Richard Simmons/Magnum territory. But who knows, maybe if enough men wore them that short again, it’d start to appear normalized. Maybe not those specific styles of shorts. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/83 "2022-08-27T14:48:58Z")
Definitely not. They almost remind me of the rugby shorts, when rugby shirts and the Canterbury store were popular in the 1980s. When men’s shorts were too short. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/84 "2022-08-27T16:22:53Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > When men’s shorts were too short. Magnum P.I. pulled it off, why can’t I? 🙂 It’s style to be sure. when sitting my shorts are a bit past mid thigh. When standing, just above the knee. Otherwise I wear ‘relaxed fit’ jeans. Yes I know what that means. But I do like the extra fabric around the knees for crouching or crossing your legs. I don’t know how anyone can wear those painted on skinny jeans. Just give me comfort and practical. It’s all I ask. Oh, and get off my lawn. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/85 "2022-08-27T17:27:47Z")
I hate the NBA style “shorts.” They look like frumps in baggy culottes. I wish they wore the old short shorts again. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/86 "2022-08-27T18:07:05Z")
Give it some years. I’m pretty sure they’ll come back. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/87 "2022-08-27T18:08:16Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@Bullitt](#): > > > > When men’s shorts were too short. > > Magnum P.I. pulled it off, why can’t I? 🙂 Probably for the same reasons why I can’t pull it off, either. Because I don’t have a Ferrari. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/88 "2022-08-28T17:27:12Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > > [@Grrr](#): > > > > Assuming one is okay with shorts but NOT cargo shorts, what shorts is a hip gentleman supposed to wear? Those slack-shorts they wear at golf clubs? > > > > Bc those are ugly. > > If the traditions of the British Empire mean anything, the only possible answer is the Bermuda variety. See the first picture on this page. > [Bermuda shorts - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_shorts) It’s a tribute to the British military that they were able to win any battles wearing those godawful shorts. [Cargo shorts for dogs](https://www.tdpri.com/threads/cargo-shorts-on-a-dog.1033437/) are a no-no. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/89 "2022-08-29T15:19:14Z")
I wish my husband (63) would wear shorts! When it’s 90 degrees and humid he’s wearing a heavy pair of jeans. It looks so uncomfortable to me but it doesn’t seem to bother him. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/90 "2022-08-29T15:21:20Z")
At the very least, you might encourage him to wear lighter trousers than denim jeans. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/91 "2022-08-29T15:40:59Z")
What I “encourage” and what he does are usually two very different things! After 40 years, I’ve learned to save my breath on most things. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/92 "2022-08-29T16:33:10Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > When it’s 90 degrees and humid he’s wearing a heavy pair of jeans. It looks so uncomfortable to me but it doesn’t seem to bother him. I’m like that as well. My legs don’t really sweat, my feet don’t sweat. My upper torso and head? Big time. Unless I’m at a beach or poolside, I just don’t like wearing short pants. A GF from a few years back constantly nagged me to wear shorts and sneakers or sandals instead of jeans and work boots. She just couldn’t deal with it. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/93 "2022-08-29T19:30:29Z")
I’m nearly 70 and grew up in an era when men rarely wore shorts in public other than at the beach, working in the yard or perhaps while travelling to a lake in the summer. However, in the last 35 years or so that has been changing where today that’s much, much different. I always wore long pants to work, winter or summer but wore shorts during the appropriate weather in my off time. Today, now that I’m retired I wear nothing but comfortable nylon type shorts and a t-shirt all summer. If “dressing up” to say go out for supper, it’s “dressier” shorts with a nicer golf shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Fundisi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Fundisi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fundisi)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/94 "2023-01-10T12:54:43Z")
I wear shorts all the time when not at work. I grew up on in the subtropics, and at the big factory my dad worked at, their work uniform was khaki shorts and buttonup shirt. So it feels normal, and indeed comfortable. Due perhaps to the habit of the school to force any boy of larger than average size to have to play rugby, my preferred shorts are the heavy canvas rugby shorts. (I hated being forced to participate in any activity, so the only thing about my rugby playing I embraced was the shorts.) Very hard wearing, with two large pockets that while not too deep to be unreachable, are deep enough that the pocket contents don’t fall out when doing ones day-to-day activities. Unfortunately even in rugby the rise of modern lightweight “techno” fabrics does mean the canvas shorts aren’t as easy to find. And the lightweight ones bring back too many nightmares of those hideous 1980’s running shorts… ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/95 "2023-01-12T16:46:07Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > If you’re going to wear shorts, make them short. I’m talking 1970’s NBA, Magnum PI short. Go short or go home! 🙂 I find it interesting that, while [the shorts were short, the socks were long](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/07/USAT/7257d472-918b-4b1b-982e-27f62d771128-quincy-isaiah_1.jpg) so we’re still seeing as much leg as today’s cargo shorts & low socks, just lower down. Not complaining, mind you, as there’s certain parts up higher I’d rather not be exposed with short shorts, just find it curious. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > [Cargo shorts for dogs](https://www.tdpri.com/threads/cargo-shorts-on-a-dog.1033437/) are a no-no. Is that because they’re worn [wrong](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dog-pants.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334/96 "2023-01-12T19:22:24Z")
And to all. If you need to ask if you’re to old to wear shorts, you are too young to ask. Give it a decade or 2 or 3. Then you don’t have to ask. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-shorts-appropriate-for-grownups-of-a-certain-age-how-about-cargo-shorts/970334.md?page=4)