Help! What do you wear if you don't like shorts?

[Mingmoo]

I really tried this year. I tried on about eight pairs, bought two, returned them. I don't feel comfortable in shorts - I know they don't suit me. They make my knees look like muffins and cut off my legs at just the wrong point. I'm 5 8 and a size twelve with a reasonably good figure but my legs are not my best feature and I would never wear an above-knee skirt without thick black tights. I am 41 and tend to go for fairly plain, classic styles of clothes. In the hot weather I've been wearing longer skirts and I have a couple of pairs of wide-legged culottes, one in silky fabric and one in seersucker linen, but they're both quite smart.

I'm going on holiday to Cornwall in August and I imagined myself wearing shorts for hopping around beaches/rock pools. What can I get instead? Or can anyone recommend miracle shorts I won't hate?

With shorts, it’s all about the length. Try different lengths until you find a pair that fits you best. On the knee or just above the knee shorts don’t do me any favours but a pair mid thigh look fine.

Boden do shorts in different lengths.

Agree, it's about finding the right length for you. I've tried on loads of shorts (same height/size as OP; I have long body so legs look shorter in comparison) every summer, searching for that perfect pair and most of them have been really unflattering. I've also made the mistake over the years of buying shorts that are too long.

But recently I've tracked down a couple of pairs that really do work; Boden Chino shorts (I bought them last year, not sure if they have the same thing this season) in the 6in length are flattering on me, as are the Hush Denim shorts from this year. I have searched over the years for denim shorts that suit me, and these ones are pretty much perfect.

John Lewis have one pair of Hush denim shorts left in a size 12 - here - seriously OP - give them a go!! Free delivery and returns - what have you got to lose??

Apparently, the knack is to stand in front of a mirror holding a towel in front of your legs and pull it up slowly so you can see exactly where the most flattering stop point is, and then hem your shorts to that length.

What if that point is below knee? 😩

Cropped linen trousers. Check out M&S.

I love my little shorts.
I'm 47.
Tried some Bermuda's on the other day - looked like a Boy Scout. Short shorts for me. Denim (black pair and pink pair) - Primark.

nb I run and have pretty toned legs.

Harem pants are ace !!! So comfy and so cool in this heat

Another vote for short harems. Cheap and cheerful, very comfy.

Shorts are comfortable and practical when it’s hot. Everyone in the US wears them all summer.

Sometimes, being cool & comfortable is more important than looking fashionable.

Shorts are marvellous. Everyone should wear shorts as much as possible. Second the J Crew and right length advice.
I look like a frumpy mum in knee length!
I'd rather see a nice healthy bit of leg in shorts, wobble/chunky knee and all, than the terrible dress/leggings combo favoured by many British women in the summer. That does nothing for anyone and you get hot to boot!

"
Sometimes, being cool & comfortable is more important than looking fashionable."

This ^^ with bells on. It's a beach not the city.

Do you know what , I wore shorts in public for the first time every yesterday since childhood . I'm 43 and have chunky legs with loose skin ( I've spent so long in the gym trying to tone them but they won't change ) so it's 3o degrees and I decided to wear them . I made sure I styled the outfit well and do you know what no one said a thing . Someone even told me I looked lovely .. who knew ??

I hate shorts- I’m a pear and even as a very slim 20-something they looked awful on me.

I have a few hiking style skirts for doing outdoors stuff on holiday, they are super comfy (and easy to hoik up for paddling). Not the most stylish but great for holidays.
Like this (ignore the wacky pattern- you get the idea in terms of shape)
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/weird-fish-womens-malmo-printed-jersey-skirt-A4D24682.html?colour=104

Also a size 12 and look terrible in shorts. I wear dresses and linen trousers/chinos

If you have a pair of old jeans (not skinnies) make your own denim shorts. I did that recently with surprising success.
I too can never find shorts in shops - I look like a bloke. But I chopped off a pair of cigarette leg jeans to mid thigh, and then kept chopping inch by inch until I found the right length.

These are my new favourites

I'm not usually a shorts person, but have been wearing these this summer and really like them: https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/breeze-belted-grey-shorts#selection=color:Grey60;size:122365

The shape makes them quite smart, but they're also v comfy and, I think, quite flattering.