No one told the mannequins it’s still winter. As I walked by stores’ display windows near Union Square yesterday, I noticed hunks of plastic sporting springtime clothes. Shorts. Some of them had on shorts. I know fashion is always a season or two ahead, but I’d feel a little silly shopping for naked-knee clothing when yesterday’s low temperature was somewhere near 17 F / -8 C. We wear short shorts. We women, that is. I’m not 100% sure if I like the way men look wearing that trend. Longer shorts look fine. Short shorts? Nuh uh. Esquire has this great “short” piece in the March 2008 issue. “This is how shorts,” they instruct men, “are supposed to fit–not too long, not too short, and hitting just above the knee.” I think that’s solid advice. Of course, not everyone agrees with me.
On the phone with my chick friends Mags and K-Mac last night, I asked them separately, “Do you think guys should wear shorts?” They each practically dropped their respective phones and ran away screaming in sheer terror. Apparently, a gazillion years ago when they were mere babes, their childhood eyes saw their dads in really teeny-tiny shorts. The poor girls are STILL terrified! I felt bad for them, and I figured, “Hell, growing up fatherless has new benefit for me! At least my dad never subjected me to the sight of his johnson and hairy legs stuffed into garments Larry Bird-style.”
Anywho. How about you, dear readers? Any opinions on the matter? Use the comments link below to post your answer to this question: Should men wear shorts?
—————
Photo credit: Corduroy west coast shorts are available at American Apparel.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Shorts? yes. Short shorts? no.
Nah. I don’t like em. Plus, it depends on where they are going in shorts. Out to dinner? Hiking? To play b-ball?
Ew, ew, ew…those corduroy shorts in the above photo are BAD. I’d wear them, but if CL busted those nut-displaying things out, I’d seriously wonder… ;o)
Dragonslayer said it best: shorts are fine on men, as long as they aren’t showing their milky-white thighs. Blech!
Short Shorts? Um no. Not a chance in hell…
The only way I’d EVER wear shorts that short is for charity… (which I have done btw! lol)…
I ran competetive track for 7 years….so i have the legs for it. But as a matter of course, i only wear shorts when working out and they are usually baggy….just above the knee.
Sure, shorts are nice and comfy. The shorter the better – that way they don’t bunch up around your sensitive bits.
I am not a huge fan of guys in shorts and not a fan at all of the little shorts. I just like the way guys look in a nice pair of pants or jeans :)
Long time no see FBsexahC. To dive straight into the subject. Shorts yes, speedo’s no. The longer the shorts the more comfy, but not too large, otherwise my giblets have to much freedom which gets annoying when you are moving around to much heh.
I’m sure Ill look great in short shorts. ;)
Im sure that ill look great in short shorts ;)
Hell yeah, my legs are nice and I’m showing them off! Hell, I wear speedos too… American men have something to hide it seems, still wondering what it is… My single slutty European female friends tell me they like to turn the lights off. Oh the mystery.
shorts a la Esquire’s advice? YES
shorts a la American Apparels ode to the old OP style – HAYLE NO
@ Dragonslayer: :)
@ blackfemme: Ewwww, shorts to a dinner date? NEVER!! Okay, well, MAYBE, if it’s a super casual summer date. First date, no.
@ AmyD: Two votes for no “short shorts” on guys.
@ Mitch: So glad you’re back, babes! :) Didn’t I see a photo of those charity shorts?
@ Dkzone: Esquire would approve of your shorts.
@ Baba Doodlius: Post a photo of yourself in short shorts!!!
@ Felicia: Man in a pair of nicely-fitting jeans? Yum.
@ PapiGiulio: Daniel Craig rocked those short blue speedo / shorts really well. Hot. Hot. Hot!!
@ Jonathan: Did you say it twice to convince me or you? ;)
@ ErrorBoy: What, you don’t have single slutty AMERICAN female friends?!?! ;)
@ Amy: *LOVE* the “hayle” no.
i did it by mistake
The Larry Bird style should only be worn in jest. And that means a guy needs to pull up his shorts as high as possible until it goes up to his neck!
@fbc: I always thought you were adopted
@ Jonathan: I know; I was just teasing! :)
@ Dummy: That sounds HOT!
@ ErrorBoy: Maybe I was? ;)
Heres my 2 cents worth; Being a male of course I think short shorts are fine to wear when its really hot.I wear mine that have a 4″ inseam.I like showing off my legs in them and i’m not that young.I also have had my legs lasered just so they look neat and cool.
You’ve had both of your legs lasered? Are you a swimmer / diver? Just curious.
Certainly yes.
But, just like with girls, where it depends on her body, and shape, and not all look good, same applies to men. So, if you have the legs, you definitely should wear them, for exactly the same reasons girls wear them: Comfort, look, sex appeal (whatever).
I personally find it so stupid, when I see a guy walking on teh beach with shorts so long, they could almost be called trousers!! By their very definition, shorts were meant to be short. How short, is a matter of choice. but a decent length, say midway up the thighs, is perfect.
Men sexy legs? HAWT!! :)
You girls are all stupid, you OBVIOUSLY grew up in the 1990′s, and don’t remember when the average guy, who wasn’t some big piece of lard, wore short-shorts, but just called them “shorts”. We were in shape, we had the shorts to prove it, there is NOTHING wrong with guys in short-shorts! I wish people would bring back the 1980′s, and start wearing them all over the place again!
#1. I grew up in the 80s. :)
#2. Consider yourself warned. The only golden rule at the FBC is: Be kind to your fellow readers. :) Dissenting opinions are encouraged. But taking shots at at people just because they disagree with you (i.e. “You girls are all stupid”) isn’t.
Great blog, just found it today! I have such a strong dislike of men in shorts. It strikes me as juvenile and turns me off. If I’m with a guy and he decides to wear shorts, our interaction is over until he changes into full length pants and returns. I don’t care how strong or shapely his legs are, they shouldn’t be seen in public, well fitting jeans on the other hand…
Hilarious! Sounds like you’re firmly anti-shorts. :)
To funkybrownchick:No I am neither.I model for art classes at times.I also wear short shorts to show them off.just like the feel of them without the hair on them.I just look great.
i am male have real short short but very sexy. i have nice built smooth legs not much hair. i wore it one day. got embarassed every woman was looking. i dont know if they were liking it or hating it. tell me.