# Why are men's shorts down to the knees and beyond? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252 "2014-06-20T23:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/21 "2014-06-21T04:20:53Z")
It’s because they have the waist hanging down around their hips so they can show off their dirty undies… Just what us ladies want to see. Sexy! ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/22 "2014-06-21T04:34:29Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Nobody wants to see hairy man-leg. [Bob Benson would like to give you some coffee and help you see the error of your ways.](http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2013/WRN/052813-mad-men-11-400.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/23 "2014-06-21T04:45:20Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t know, but when I see old pictures of myself in shorts that are half way down my thigh I think I look rather ridiculous, like Jack Tripper in “Three’s Company.” Fashions change. Twenty years from now who knows what we think will be ridiculous: tattoos? Hoodies? Yoga pants? It has nothing to do with fashion, or at least it shouldn’t. If you are hiking a trail in the summer in the mountains, you want shorts, not short pants. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/24 "2014-06-21T04:51:50Z")
I seem to recall sales of shorter, old-school gym shorts plummeted in 1993, when President Clinton began his infamous White House jogs. [![](https://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/194871/slide_194871_436481_small.jpg) ](https://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/194871/slide_194871_436481_small.jpg) (The picture is mercifully small, but show the horror in sufficient detail) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/25 "2014-06-21T04:52:52Z")
[This is why we have longer shorts](http://www.thejayfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Season6_Dangle_0171_PRESS.jpg#Officer%20dangle%202000x3000). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/26 "2014-06-21T05:06:33Z")
Knee-length shorts are annoying. They hang up on my knees when I go to sit down and I have to lift them above my knee to sit comfortably. I’ve even torn a knee on the shorts just by sitting down. And no, my pants don’t sag. I belt them normally around my waistline. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/27 "2014-06-21T05:09:44Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > Excuse me, some of us are very happy seeing a little hairy man-leg. > [@jayjay](#): > > Thank you! > [@Inna\_Minnit](#): > > Speak for yourself. I stand corrected. In cargo shorts that come to just above my hairy knee! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Weeping\_Wyvern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@Weeping\_Wyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeping_Wyvern)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/28 "2014-06-21T05:53:58Z")
I hate so-called shorts which practically go down to your ankles. But at the same time, I’m not very fond of the ones which are practically undergarments. I think all shorts should end precisely at the top of the knee, regardless of sex. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/29 "2014-06-21T06:52:57Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > This is probably better suited to IMHO than GQ. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Good point. ISTM that GQ would be more about fine suits. And what’s the deal with _pocket squares_? Are they some kind of ironic hipster joke, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/30 "2014-06-21T08:23:10Z")
It’s the whole ensemble that makes the man, though: cargo jorts, wife beater, black socks and trainers, flat cap and Oakleys. Breathtaking. ---
**Author:** ![Batistuta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@Batistuta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batistuta)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/31 "2014-06-21T08:30:18Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > I blame Michael Jordan. I think he was the first basketball player to insist on longer shorts. The other players copied him (of course) and then all the kids followed along. > > Personally, I can’t stand them. I like my shorts really short, but the shortest I can find have 7-inch inseams. Fairly short by today’s standards, but still too long for me. And please don’t say anything about ugly or hairy men’s legs. I bicycle a lot and my legs are probably my best feature. (nit-pick): I might be wrong but I think Michael Jordan only started wearing longer shorts towards the end of his career. I’ve always heard that those responsible for introducing long shorts into the world of basketball were [the Fab Five from the University of Michigan](http://www.sptimes.com/2002/11/17/Columns/Fab_Five_glory_has_tu.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/32 "2014-06-21T08:32:55Z")
It’s hard to follow fashion, not that I want to. A couple years ago I was reading that men are not supposed to wear shorts at all. I really don’t have a problem with that. I find all shorts a little ridiculous looking, depending on the length and shoes, socks or no socks, etc. I think very long shorts can look bad but so can short shorts and non-functional shoes with no socks- or whatever is in fashion now. If anything longish shorts and athletic shoes look better to me than any other combination. I try not to dress like Justin Bieber’s dad, but at the same time I did most of my growing in the early 90s and I have certain comforts. I’ll never want to worry about a ball hanging out like Jack Tripper. ETA: I assume all short-shorts wearers wear briefs? I’ve always worn boxers, though more boxer-brief in the past few years. I bring that up, because if I wore the loose boxers I used most of my life my underwear and other stuff might hang out of the leg of short shorts. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/33 "2014-06-21T08:41:01Z")
> [@syncrolecyne](#): > > I seem to recall sales of shorter, old-school gym shorts plummeted in 1993, when President Clinton began his infamous White House jogs. > > [http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/194871/slide\_194871\_436481\_small.jpg](http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/194871/slide_194871_436481_small.jpg) > > (The picture is mercifully small, but show the horror in sufficient detail) This reminds me of when I was in 6th-9th grade gym class (I was in 8th when Clinton was elected) and we had to purchase gym uniforms that consisted of short shorts with slits up the sides. No one wanted to wear those things. At that point, it was already seen as 10 years out of date to us kids. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/34 "2014-06-21T13:01:12Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t know, but when I see old pictures of myself in shorts that are half way down my thigh I think I look rather ridiculous, like Jack Tripper in “Three’s Company.” Fashions change. Twenty years from now who knows what we think will be ridiculous: **tattoos? Hoodies? Yoga pants**? Yes. (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/35 "2014-06-21T13:07:48Z")
6" and 7" inseams are very fashionable right now. You probably won’t see your average Dad wearing them just yet, but Men’s [shorts](https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shortsswim/stantonshorts/PRDOVR~75488/75488.jsp) and [bathing trunks](https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/swim/trunks.jsp) are definitely getting shorter. ---
**Author:** ![Ad\_Astra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Ad\_Astra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ad_Astra)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/36 "2014-06-21T14:18:14Z")
[Chubbies](http://www.chubbiesshorts.com/) are also becoming more and more popular - quite a few guys I know (all recent college grads, to narrow down the age) have many pairs. They’re a bit fratty for my taste, but sometimes that look works. Personally, I’ve got a ton of Docker’s shorts which, while not as short as the Chubbies, are noticeably shorter than what I wore in middle school and high school. Now that I think about it, when I’m back home (Midwest), the shorts there are much longer than when I’m back on the East Coast, J. Crew’s/Chubbies’ popularity notwithstanding. I’d be willing to bet there’s a significant geographical/demographic component to what you’re seeing as well. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/37 "2014-06-21T14:23:12Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > WTF? Only the first pair looks short to me; the rest are perfectly normal. > Maybe it’s different where I live. > > ETA: Well, maybe the second pair too. I agree, although I’m now getting comfortable with short at #2. The first looked to me more like underwear, like the kind I was wearing one time when my college roommate brought a girl over, and he thought I was silly for feeling immodest. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/38 "2014-06-21T14:29:53Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Nobody wants to see hairy man-leg. Indulge me for a moment and work through this hypothetical with me. Imagine every woman in America started wearing super-baggy capri pants, like a cropped version of [palazzo pants](https://www.google.com/search?q=palazzo+pants&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=rpOlU5_xK4GP8gGi4YCoAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1746&bih=869) and necklines up to the collarbone. When someone asks what’s up with all that, women say “Oh, lord, nobody wants to look at thigh and cleavage.” Your response would probably be something along the lines of “WTF?! EVERYONE wants to see thighs and cleavage, the more the better!” That’s the situation straight women and gay men are in–guys have been running around in manpris for an eternity and are apparently boggled at the notion that people who are sexually attracted to guys enjoy looking at their bodies. Also, men’s shorts have been so long for so long that when they started actually exposing the kneecap, it actually felt kind of racy to me. It was like I was a Victorian man getting a glimpse of a woman’s ankle. It’s not a fun feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/39 "2014-06-21T14:38:15Z")
We wear the long shorts because we do not like being objectified as if we were put here for your ogling pleasure. Stop stifling our personhood! ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252/40 "2014-06-21T14:39:45Z")
Shorts in general are not really grown-up clothing. I think they all look kind of sulu and too casual for wear outside the gym. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mens-shorts-down-to-the-knees-and-beyond/691252.md?page=3)