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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU not warning a woman her shorts had ridden up?

226 replies

Ilikesundays · 26/09/2026 15:28

Went for a coffee this morning. A “mature” lady was sitting with male friend at opposite table. I didn’t take much notice, but, suddenly, looking up across the cafe I couldn’t help seeing that her very short shorts had ridden up, she evidently wasn’t wearing isn’t pants underneath and all or almost all was revealed. I immediately looked away but she stayed put for the duration of my visit. Should I have warned her? I was too embarrassed to say anything. WWYHD?

OP posts:
BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 20:28

MrsJeanLuc · 27/09/2026 19:23

Only yesterday my husband and I were by the hotel pool; he had curled himself up on his side and yes, his tackle was peeking out of leg of his swimming shorts (at the back for those of you trying to imagine the sight).
I told him to get it covered up smartish! 😁

Was he just wearing normal shorts rather than proper swimming shorts? The latter always have a built-in orange net for the safe containment of 'wedding vegetables', don't they?

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 20:30

CrowsInMyGarden · 27/09/2026 18:58

Regarding the sayings that let women know a part of their clothing or anatomy are on show. When I was very young I was at a Lido and a young boy said to me "I see Bristol's out the cup this year" I thought why on earth is he talking football to me, shook my head and wandered off then realised my bikini top had slipped and my boob was on show. Then I got it. It did make me laugh.

It's a bit weird that somebody had specifically taught him to say that in a very particular scenario that you would imagine wouldn't happen all that often!

Zerosleep · 27/09/2026 21:05

Surely you would know if your vag was hanging out, maybe she was airing it and felt hot

ItsAlwaysTwins · 27/09/2026 21:23

She must have a strange anatomy. How on earth does this happen?

CrowsInMyGarden · 27/09/2026 21:29

@BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows I assumed he was quick witted and made it up not that someone taught him. He was about 15 not a young child

Myli1 · 27/09/2026 21:36

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 20:28

Was he just wearing normal shorts rather than proper swimming shorts? The latter always have a built-in orange net for the safe containment of 'wedding vegetables', don't they?

No, not all swimming trunks have the built-in mesh, as some men find it itchy and uncomfortable. My brother would always refuse to wear the mesh ones for that reason.

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 21:46

CrowsInMyGarden · 27/09/2026 21:29

@BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows I assumed he was quick witted and made it up not that someone taught him. He was about 15 not a young child

Ah, OK, thanks - I was assuming a 'young boy' would be maybe 6 or 7 at most. In general, 15yo lads don't even want to be called boys anymore; let alone young ones!

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 21:53

Myli1 · 27/09/2026 21:36

No, not all swimming trunks have the built-in mesh, as some men find it itchy and uncomfortable. My brother would always refuse to wear the mesh ones for that reason.

But surely, if it's an acknowledged hazard of loose swimming shorts that goolies will likely escape and become visible - to the extent that meshes are commonly sewn into men's and boys' swimming shorts as standard - then those who deliberately choose the kind that are loose but don't have a mesh must be aware of the need to comport themselves very carefully?

Just like, if you choose to wear high stillettos, you realise full-well that you're obviously not going to be able to move anywhere near as quickly or flexibly as the person standing next to you in trainers can.

MrsJeanLuc · 27/09/2026 23:31

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 20:28

Was he just wearing normal shorts rather than proper swimming shorts? The latter always have a built-in orange net for the safe containment of 'wedding vegetables', don't they?

Well yes that's a very good question. I have just put it to him 😁😁😁 ... and he says yes, it got all twisted round. 🙄

Wishingitwaswinter · 28/09/2026 00:34

It's the trend. She and many others were those shorts that show the butt cheeks and ride up their crack to emphasise the shape. I don't know where to look either.

Teenytinypineapple · 28/09/2026 01:05

If I see a wardrobe malfunction occur to someone who has attempted to dress at least semi-decently, they're getting a discreet notification.

If I see a wardrobe malfunction occur to someone who has deliberately chosen an overly revealing outfit with a high probability of failure, they will be on the receiving end of a very intrigued stare while I consider their life choices and exactly what it is that's on show!

For example, as a percentage, roughly how much of their arse is actually hanging out of their shorts?

If I think someone is deliberately exposing themselves, they get the stare, along with some head-tilting, possibly a finger and thumb measuring up, and a very loud, unflattering comment about the exhibition.

WearyAuldWumman · 28/09/2026 01:06

MrsJeanLuc · 27/09/2026 23:31

Well yes that's a very good question. I have just put it to him 😁😁😁 ... and he says yes, it got all twisted round. 🙄

That sounds horribly painful.

WearyAuldWumman · 28/09/2026 01:09

DH was in a tank regiment. I recall him saying that one rather tall chap was excused wearing shorts in the tropics, because army issue khaki shorts couldn't quite cope with him.

AlonsoMosley · 28/09/2026 01:51

ICantStomachWhelks · 26/09/2026 22:08

Were they cycling shorts, OP, or denim-type ones? Surely you’d only get FlapRoam™️ with extremely baggy legs, not with tight shorts?

I saw a lot of people wearing the pajama shorts as day shorts this summer. The very thin cotton.

Absolutely grim. They get caught in the bum, ride up at the back - usually on one side, the seam travels - dreadful.

I could see those type of shorts doing what the op says.

Myli1 · 28/09/2026 06:00

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 27/09/2026 21:53

But surely, if it's an acknowledged hazard of loose swimming shorts that goolies will likely escape and become visible - to the extent that meshes are commonly sewn into men's and boys' swimming shorts as standard - then those who deliberately choose the kind that are loose but don't have a mesh must be aware of the need to comport themselves very carefully?

Just like, if you choose to wear high stillettos, you realise full-well that you're obviously not going to be able to move anywhere near as quickly or flexibly as the person standing next to you in trainers can.

Well yes presumably. The ones I have seen are quite loose fitting but have elastic around the bottom of the legs to prevent the accidental escape of oversized or inflated tackle. Not really an issue we have to worry about personally as DP and I are naturists!

MurphysColeslaw · 28/09/2026 06:06

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 26/09/2026 16:31

I speak Makaton and I’ve got nothing.

Maybe make a V shape and mimic flapping?

😂😂

Ofcoursenot26 · 28/09/2026 06:10

Sometimes people do this on purpose.

HikingHippo · 28/09/2026 06:19

Ilikesundays · 26/09/2026 22:17

On further thoughts, I have an awful feeling that what I saw wasn’t female anatomy and the “lady” opposite was in fact a trans person. The protruding part, cone to think of it, was suspiciously male. The rest of the person was convincingly feminine.

OK you stretched that one too far OP, 2/10 for effort.

MurphysColeslaw · 28/09/2026 06:20

Lifelover16 · 26/09/2026 19:50

The age of the woman may be relevant. As age increases collagen and skin elasticity are lost, so the flaps get flappier and more likely to flop out of short shorts.

Adds labiaplasty to list of potential future plastic surgery list.

MurphysColeslaw · 28/09/2026 06:26

fivefoottwowitheyesofblue · 27/09/2026 11:36

FlapRoam 😅👏👏
Underappreciated post.
I salute you Madam.

😂

MurphysColeslaw · 28/09/2026 06:28

God there are some hilarious responses on this thread, I have been crying with laughter.
what a fabulous way to start Monday morning.

Ofcoursenot26 · 28/09/2026 06:35

HikingHippo · 28/09/2026 06:19

OK you stretched that one too far OP, 2/10 for effort.

Oh. Yes, I see. Bollocks then, one way or the other.

Partickthistle · 28/09/2026 07:19

B1anche · 26/09/2026 16:18

Couldn't you have done some sort of miming/sign language? Like when you see a friend with a crumb on their lip?

😁 Hilarious, you paint a video picture.

Pherian · 28/09/2026 09:05

Ilikesundays · 26/09/2026 15:57

If you can visualise very tight pants, I’m afraid I could see her labia majors on one side. Sorry.

Then you should have said something. Especially if it was a public space that children could come into. That’s nasty of this woman to be out like that.

B1anche · 28/09/2026 09:27

Pherian · 28/09/2026 09:05

Then you should have said something. Especially if it was a public space that children could come into. That’s nasty of this woman to be out like that.

What might happen if a child gets a glimpse of part of an accidentally exposed labia? I mean, it's not ideal but they're not going to be scarred for life.