# Men's shorts, I pit thee **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 5, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442 "2009-05-05T18:08:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/21 "2009-05-05T19:13:56Z")
Off-the-rack clothing aren’t actually made to fit people. Does anybody have pants that fit right? Always too big in the waist, inseam not long enough, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/22 "2009-05-05T19:21:08Z")
I’m 6’4 with a 38"-40" waist and have to buy trousers with a 42" waist because otherwise they’re too tight around the crotch. Life sucks, and then you die. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/23 "2009-05-05T19:22:55Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check 'em out. A 6" inseam may be too short, but I’ll give it a shot. I have no problem having slacks tailored, but the idea of tailoring my shorts seems somehow antithetical to the whole idea of easy-going, casual summertime short-wearing. So does paying $89 for them, which is what Nordstrom and Brooks Brothers charges. You must be joking. **The Composer** - a 5" inseam for a 6’4" guy? Now _that’s_ ball-hugger territory! ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/24 "2009-05-05T19:24:53Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check 'em out. A 6" inseam may be too short, but I’ll give it a shot. > > I have no problem having slacks tailored, but the idea of tailoring my shorts seems somehow antithetical to the whole idea of easy-going, casual summertime short-wearing. So does paying $89 for them, which is what Nordstrom and Brooks Brothers charges. You must be joking. > > **The Composer** - a 5" inseam for a 6’4" guy? Now _that’s_ ball-hugger territory! I don’t know what they have around you, but if there’s a Nordstrom look for Nordstrom Rack, their clearance store. It’s like TJ Maxx but with all Nordstrom inventory. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/25 "2009-05-05T19:28:05Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check 'em out. A 6" inseam may be too short, but I’ll give it a shot. [Landsend.com](http://Landsend.com) also sometimes has regular rise and long rise depending on your…dimensions. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/26 "2009-05-05T19:53:01Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Off-the-rack clothing aren’t actually made to fit people. Does anybody have pants that fit right? Always too big in the waist, inseam not long enough, etc. I had this very problem in my recurring supermodel dream.😉 ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/27 "2009-05-05T19:59:50Z")
Ha! Too short, old and fat to be a model here, but this is a problem I have with every (non-tailored) pair of pants I own except one. I’ve just learned to face the music: clothes will never look good on me. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/28 "2009-05-05T22:02:15Z")
Let freedom swing. [utilikilts.com](http://utilikilts.com) (Warning page will open with a video playing. In fact, go to their “Mock-u-mercial” page and look for the one titled “Call me.”) Hootie ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/29 "2009-05-05T22:10:00Z")
[QUOTE=MeanOldLady] Off-the-rack clothing aren’t actually made to fit people. Does anybody have pants that fit right? Always too big in the waist, inseam not long enough, etc. [/QUOTE] Fit me perfectly. I rarely even needed to get suits tailored (when I worked at places that required suits). In order to buy stuff off the rack one needs to be around 6 foot tall and slightly plump (34 waist)…and then everything fits, from clothes to cars. The entire world revolves around you! 😛 (it also helps to have size 9 feet) -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/30 "2009-05-05T22:19:43Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > What’s wrong with some below the knee shorts? Who are you, Richard Simmons? The reason they’re hard to find is that they should be. Shorts below the knee look awful. Try J Crew or Banana Republic. ---
**Author:** ![FrustratedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@FrustratedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrustratedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/31 "2009-05-05T22:28:04Z")
OP–I feel your pain. I’m a fellow 30/31"-er (though I’m a little taller, 6’1") and it’s damn hard to find shorts in our size. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/32 "2009-05-05T23:48:03Z")
You may be interested in this [style](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji6r7J6L2bk). ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/33 "2009-05-06T02:31:06Z")
Yeah, it is annoying. I’m 5’8" with a 31" waist and very short, stocky legs. Most men’s shorts are, like you say, cut very long and frankly make me look like I’ve had part of my thigh amputated or something. In the past I’ve had luck with Ben Sherman, but over the past couple years their shorts seem to have gotten longer and longer and now go down past my knee. Original Penguin can be good, although a quick glance at this year’s collection makes it look like they’ve gotten longer, too. OP does, however, have nice short swim trunks, which are also difficult to find. Just as with shorts, the current style of wearing long, baggy board shorts that hang super-low on the waist makes me look _insane_. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/34 "2009-05-06T02:51:36Z")
How about [these 7" inseam shorts](http://www.rei.com/product/763779)? There [is 8" inseam shorts](http://www.rei.com/product/718899), too. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/35 "2009-05-06T03:34:08Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > What’s wrong with some below the knee shorts? Who are you, Richard Simmons? The reason they’re hard to find is that they should be. Fuckin’ A! Shorts that stop above the knee look ridiculous. I like that my shorts go to the knee or just a little beyond it. It looks good and it’s comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/36 "2009-05-06T04:01:53Z")
I want shorts that are not see through sports shorts, cotton joggers, or canvas covered in 50 pockets which are the ones that are so long. Two years ago they had what I wanted. I wish I had about ten of them new, the ones I bought are now threadbare. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/37 "2009-05-06T04:14:03Z")
I can totally get on board with this pitting. Part of the problem for me is that I’m only 5’7" and have about a 28"-29" inseam in full length pants. When I was really skinny (27" waist pants were loose on me) I would go buy womens sizes because they actually came in a bit shorter length. I’m sick of seeing shorts everywhere that all but hit the ankle. ARGH! ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/38 "2009-05-06T13:34:30Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Fuckin’ A! Shorts that stop above the knee look ridiculous. I like that my shorts go to the knee or just a little beyond it. \*\*It looks good \*\*and it’s comfortable. Not when you have short legs and a long torso, like me. It looks like I’m wearing my big brother’s clothes. And frankly, I think below-the-knee shorts look pretty stupid on anyone over 17, but that’s for another thread. I guess the problem is, when they scale the waist size for people with differently-sized midsections, they should also scale the length for the differently-heighted. And they should mow my lawn, and give me a raise, and wallpaper my bathroom. Ahhh, a perfect world. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/39 "2009-05-06T13:42:36Z")
> [@buttonjockey308](#): > > Well, I’ve never had a complaint about my getaway sticks, but as a 6’4" fella typically anything less than the long baggies end up making me look like Dangle from Reno911. And in truth, they’re comfortable as all get out with no danger of a slipout. This. I have chicken legs, so I don’t want to go around showing them off. I live in Florida, so I want to wear shorts. Ergo, baggy shorts = ideal. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442/40 "2009-05-06T13:43:40Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Fit me perfectly. I rarely even needed to get suits tailored (when I worked at places that required suits). In order to buy stuff off the rack one needs to be around 6 foot tall and slightly plump (34 waist)…and then everything fits, from clothes to cars. The entire world revolves around you! > > 😛 > > (it also helps to have size 9 feet) > > -XT I resent the “slightly plump,” but I agree. I’m the guy the off-the-rack stuff is made to fit: I’m about an inch taller and five pounds heavier than the average American (data from [here](http://strengthplanet.com/other/are-you-just-an-average-joe.htm/)– surprisingly hard to find), and size 11 shoes. Piece of cake to find perfectly fitting clothes, except shorts. Nothing but long pleated baggy ones that make me feel like I’m escaping a flood at clown school. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts-i-pit-thee/495442.md?page=3)