# What part of the "short" in shorts mystifies them? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313 "2003-05-25T00:06:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/1 "2003-05-25T00:06:31Z")
Is it so much to ask that I can buy a pair of shorts that don’t fall three inches below the knee? I went shopping for shorts today at two different stores. I was really kind of looking forward to it, since over the last 18 months I’ve lost over 100 pounds and think that I might actually look good in shorts now. But no, the designers and manufacturers of shorts have conspired to make me and every man look completely ridiculous by making nothing but “shorts” that hit me mid-calf _or lower_! What’s the problem, you say? Just buy some long shorts and hem them! No, no, my simple friends, this is not to be because along with making the shorts ultra long, the debbil manufacturers and designers have put _pockets_ to within an inch of the bottom hem. Hemming a pocket? Not so much. “Shorts” that are only a few inches shorter than regular pants are not shorts. They are _floods_. Or _highwaters_. _Nerds_ wear them. The bottoms of shorts should hit somewhere on the thigh. At the lowest, even with the middle of the kneecap. No lower! Personally I blame professional basketball players. Yes, those 70s shorts that hits an inch below the butt crack, with the white piping around the bottom hem and up the side seam, were truly heinous. But going too long in the other direction looks just as bad if not worse. Give me some shorts that let me show off my newly shapely legs, you bastards! ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/2 "2003-05-25T00:18:23Z")
\>\> Give me some shorts that let me show off my newly shapely legs, you bastards! I think the world is trying to tell you it does not want to see your legs. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/3 "2003-05-25T00:24:19Z")
> **[Utilikilts | American made Utility Kilts for everyday wear](https://utilikilts.com/)** > > We are committed to pioneering a comfortable alternative to trousers by producing “Men’s Unbifurcated Garments” (MUG’s). Shop kilts on our online store! With every breeze you can show more than enough to whet anyone’s appetite. ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/4 "2003-05-25T00:39:50Z")
I seem to have the opposite problem (I shall note that I’m a woman here)-- it’s nearly impossible to find shorts that don’t show my ass crack when I bend over. The world does not want to see my legs, but it’s a long summer going outside in pants in the blazing heat. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/5 "2003-05-25T00:49:08Z")
[Here you go Otto!](http://www.undergear.com/product.asp?sid=TJG6HURNM2VW8JW8C5MQP240SA0X1FN6&product=RM59zz&dept%5Fid=530) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/6 "2003-05-25T00:55:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*I think the world is trying to tell you it does not want to see your legs. Just a thought. \*\* Oh, the world should only be so lucky as to see my shapely legs. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/7 "2003-05-25T00:59:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*[Here you go Otto!](http://www.undergear.com/product.asp?sid=TJG6HURNM2VW8JW8C5MQP240SA0X1FN6&product=RM59zz&dept%5Fid=530) \*\* I’m working for the day when I can wear the [Aussie Rowing Short](http://www.undergear.com/product.asp?sid=TJG6HURNM2VW8JW8C5MQP240SA0X1FN6&product=R128zz&dept%5Fid=530) without scaring children or violating any local ordinances. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/8 "2003-05-25T01:03:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dijon Warlock \* > \*\*[http://www.utilikilts.com](http://www.utilikilts.com) > > With every breeze you can show more than enough to whet anyone’s appetite. \*\* [Been there, done that](http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mcmarbles/lst?.dir=/Halloween). ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/9 "2003-05-25T01:24:45Z")
Perhaps you’re shopping in too upscale a venue. I was at Kresge’s the other day, and while they do seem to have a fair number of those not-so-shorts on display, they also have a decent assortment of more conventional styles. I guess the “wacky shorts” look is in vogue this year. Kids these days… still, I will maintain that the horrible microscopic jogging shorts of the 70’s were even more soul-destroyingly awful. For the vast majority of shorts-wearing people, the less we see of that particular area the better. ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/10 "2003-05-25T01:51:53Z")
I hate the shorts that come down to mid-calf as well, but don’t have a whole lot of difficulty finding shorts of a more reasonable length (just above knees). The main issue is that it can be difficult to find them in my waist size (~29 inches). For people my age, the style is to have them longer, but for guys past their 20s and 30s it seems that shorts haven’t gotten too absurdly long yet. So I just buy those. Heck, I’m only two years short of being in style… ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/11 "2003-05-25T01:54:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terrifel \* > \*\*Kids these days… still, I will maintain that the horrible microscopic jogging shorts of the 70’s were even more soul-destroyingly awful. For the vast majority of shorts-wearing people, the less we see of that particular area the better. \*\* Oh, Og yes. I hate catching a glimpse of an old NBA game on ESPN classic… ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/12 "2003-05-25T02:16:23Z")
[Homer Simpson voice] Mmm. Women’s ass crack. [/Homer Simpson voice] ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/13 "2003-05-25T02:19:20Z")
And **GMRyujin** , those were the guys with the _well-toned_ backsides… ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/14 "2003-05-25T02:40:35Z")
“Whoa… are those long shorts or short longs?” ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/15 "2003-05-25T03:19:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terrifel \* > **Perhaps you’re shopping in too upscale a venue.** Target ("Where Every Customer Is An Unindicted Shoplifter!"TM) and Shopko. Neither of which has been accused lately of being “upscale.” ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/16 "2003-05-25T03:25:48Z")
I agree, those “long shorts” look like artifacts of 1906 or something. I can’t believe they’ve stayed in style as long as they have. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/17 "2003-05-25T03:50:54Z")
Can someone start a company that makes shorts that actually look good and are not too long/short? Seriously, here is a guy looking for shorts, and all he finds are ones that are too long. I am a girl, and the only shorts I can find are too short. I am not about to buy from the “petite” department, because those are the kind of short my grandmother wears. I guess I could wear guy shorts, but I could buy girl capris for the same length. When I grow up, I will go to college and major in fashion design and make clothes that people can actually wear. I’ll need a clever name for my company, though. It should be some sort of Doper in-joke, and all Dopers will get a big discount for being able to explain it. (the obvious one, is, of course, “Hi, Opal!” which could be a clothing company. I mean, “Old Navy”? “Wet Seal”? “Hi, Opal!” fits right in.) ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/18 "2003-05-25T04:05:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Otto \* > \*\*Target ("Where Every Customer Is An Unindicted Shoplifter!"TM) and Shopko. Neither of which has been accused lately of being “upscale.” \*\* Well, in that case you may have to go in the other direction, and resign yourself to shelling out a little more green at some other chain. I must say that I sympathize completely; don’t even get me started on the hassle of finding shirts in “Large Tall” size. Egad, I need to start a thread on this subject… ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/19 "2003-05-25T04:19:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by danceswithcats \* > \*\*[Homer Simpson voice] Mmm. Women’s ass crack. [/Homer Simpson voice] \*\* That highlights what I see as the problem here. Women are forced into buying stuff which cover practically nothing, highlighting their status as sex objects, while men can’t find shorts that don’t go past their knees. It would be nice to have clothing manufacturers that make clothing for men that doesn’t look like tents (western wear manufacturers are an exception, it appears) and clothing for women that leaves something to the imagination. Thankfully, it looks like there is some [consumer pressure](http://www.azcentral.com/ent/style/1029modesty.html) on the part of teenage girls to make more modest styles, and now we have consumer pressure from the male end to make shorts which don’t end a few inches above the ankle without having to pay premium prices. Good on both, I say. ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313/20 "2003-05-25T11:15:11Z")
I’m sure you could find the shorts you’re looking for in any major department store (J.C. Penney’s, Marks and Spencer, Sears, Rich’s…) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-short-in-shorts-mystifies-them/177313.md?page=2)