Shorts - do they ever look good?

[safran]

Its summertime and of course that means shorts.
Every year I try very hard to avoid them - but of course sooner or later there is an occassion when really only shorts will do (especially when you have a 4yr old and 2 yr old)
I'm too old for short denim cut offs, and find cut offs mid thigh or longer very strange. I hate chinos and those baggy beige ones. And I want casual not city chic or glamourous. I'm a size 10/12 and whilst not necessarily toned in fairly good shape all be it a bit of a tum, not too shy about my legs especially once I get a tan. But still can't find anything that looks good.
Am I being too fussy? Should I just not bother? What are the alternatives?
Sigh .....
I'm looking to you all for inspiration - thanks very much

[Dilligaf81]

Hi Ive bought a few shorter styles that are looser taht look like skirts but give the safety (bending with little ones etc) of a shorts These look great on

Matalan seem to have quite a few in various colours etc.
How old are you ? I dont think anyones too old for denim just a different length / style - maybe not hotpants

[PlanetEarth]

I'm curious as to what occasions there are when "only shorts will do"? But I guess I'm biased by living in Scotland...

Anyway, I have some knee-length ones that I think look good, but maybe they look good because knee-length isn't really shorts, lol. I don't think it's so much about age, more about how good your knees are, how fat your thighs are and how pale your legs are.

[lljkk]

I think you're silly, whatever happened to just wearing clothes because they are what's comfy?

[safran]

:) I use to live in Scotland so I kind of get your point! I think I wore shorts to Tentsmuir once
I live abroad now and we're up to the high twenties already but even in SE/London it could hit that regularly. I guess I'm thinking about days out in the park (usually involving sandpits and water with my two), beaches, picnics - anything that means lots of sitting on the ground or moving about which means no skirts or dresses (I aspire to go back to these when the kids are older)
I usually end up in 3/4 combats or jeans but these can get quite hot. My legs are OK but I've just hit 40 so cut off denim anything above mid-thighs just feels a bit like I'm trying to reclaim my youth - maybe I need to look at a more styled version as opposed to simple lopping the ends of an old pair of normal jeans.
I like to skirt/shorts idea I may have to have a look at that.

[safran]

Wow lljkk - I posted in Style and Beauty because this is usually whats discussed here. Maybe I should have gone for AIBU

[nomedoit]

Yes, we talk about style in this thread, funnily enough. I would ditch the cut-off denim! I think you have to be 15 and live in California for those to work. There are some good US brands if you ever come over here: I buy LL Bean and Eddie Bauer. M&S had some nice ones online about a month ago. I live in shorts and I think the best way is to buy a plain colour like navy, then dress them up with a bright top and nice sandals/pedicure and avoid flip-flops!

[fluffles]

fat face.

best shorts ever.... i go for combat style and quite long in the thigh... like these..
www.fatface.com/trousers-jeans-and-shorts/sargi-twill-short/invt/30191/&bklist=icat,4,shop,womenswear,womenstrousersjeansshorts
or these
www.fatface.com/trousers-jeans-and-shorts/utility-short/invt/30598/&bklist=icat,4,shop,womenswear,womenstrousersjeansshorts

[ManicAnnie]

I never wear shorts. They are vile on me. I wear cropped trousers, skirts or dresses.

[Deaddei]

I look awful in them.
Too old.

[Meggles76]

TBH, I am not a fan of shorts - I am 5ft and just never feel tall enough or thin enough for them. However, agree with the OP that there are occasions that call for them. For me, that is our annual camping trip to France.

I just bought these.
I got the blue denim and they can be rolled up in you want them shorter and rolled down if you want them longer. I will be wearing with breton tops and colourful vests.

[cyb]

I dont think summertime necesarily means shorts- they are by no means my first choice, and can look incredibly frumpy if badly chosen

I prefer a skirt or a dress really, I do own a couple of pairs, but they are mainly for pottering around at home rather than wearing out.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Yes agree with many that shorts are tricksy.

I have one pair from next last year that are khaki and ok but generally I prefer dresses or skirts and also have small children - why don't dresses work for you out of interest?

I think you do need to size up in shorts though.

these look nice but quite £££.

[MissBeehiving]

I struggle with shorts, however I wear them I just can't make them look good.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I also think loose/pretty tops/blouses work better than vest tops when you're ahem a little older.

[alistron1]

This might be counter intuitive but a pair of well cut short shorts can look quite nice on those of us who aren't 18 or a super model.

Longer ones (i.e just above the knee) can make one look like jimmy krankie.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

too much money but like how these are styled but imagine with flatter sandals for daytime.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

fluffles, I really like those, I may have to invest.

[APieOfButter]

I just wear dresses and skirts :) I get them covered in muck, climb, roll about, do housework, garden and everything. I have two very active under 5's, rely on public transport and spend a lot of time sitting on the decking out front doing stuff with the kids. Have never found trousers that fit properly. Very occaisionally wear trousers under a tunic or tough jeans for walking through nettles, and I have a tracksuit for exercise, and that is it.

Seriously though, how about some nice summery dresses, and some maxi skirts/dresses. I find the maxi length is the most practical, but I have a soft spot for the retro flowery type of thigh length dresses. Dresses are much more forgiving, and unless you are mountaneering, I can't think of a time when a dress wouldn't be better than shorts.

[ThatVikRinA22]

the only shorts that ever looked remotely decent on me were a sort of A - line shape - (im pear shaped)

but my legs just cant do shorts now, not a bad shape in opaque tights but shorts are now a no no....my legs are too old.

[ThatVikRinA22]

well i just feel too self conscious to wear them now. wobbly white legs and shorts really do not a good look make. they are quite slim, but the veins have caught up with me, and ii dont tan, not even fake tan can make them passable...

i realise i make myself sound so attractive on these threads...

[ThatVikRinA22]

yes im sure it detracts from the legs....

[blossoming]

I'm 40 and have 2 pairs of the ones mrscb linked to from Wrap. they work well I think, with loads of Johnsons holiday skin .