Can someone talk to me about the shorts they wear?

[FuckingHateRats]

I fear like my high waisted denim hot pants from Topshop might look a bit tragic now...it didn't matter last summer because we couldn't go anywhere than the bloody garden, and the summer before I was slimmer and just felt younger.

I'm 35, have decent legs, am a size 12 at the moment and am the owner of three getting-quite-grown-up children (14, 12, 10).

What kind of shorts do you wear in summer that look good but also don't look like you're trying to emulate your teenage daughter?

Thank you!

I wear denim shorts but quite high waist and looseish fit and buy a 14 even though I’m a 10. I found last year that M&S ones were great as they weren’t too short. Although I do wear tshirts, slouchy ones tucked in, I quite like the look with a blouse to smarten up a bit

I wear boy fit denim shorts from Next or looser high waisted flowing ones that I tuck tops into

www.next.co.uk/g5771s5/291312

www.next.co.uk/style/st298833/267733#267733

I wear shorts that are like tight jeans basically but cut off at the knee that turn up. So it's only my knee and calf that on show. I'm 10 years older than you though

I wear loose fitting denim short or the Hush Marseille shorts a lot

Chino shorts - khaki or navy.
Anything else looks ghastly. I'm 5'6, size 10, and 10 years older than you. High waisted just makes my arse look enormous.

Lands' End, chino style, 7" inseam, acid yellow floral print, size 10 or 12. I'm 64.

I wear slightly baggy chino ones from Toast that I wear rolled up high, usually with a pair of Supergas. Makes me feel like I'm one of the Famous Five (not Timmy, thanks). 45, 5'8.

I wear Levi's 501 cut offs, the longer ones that you can roll up. I buy a size up.

I also have these www.whistles.com/product/high-waisted-denim-short-31944.html#q=Shorts&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=high-waisted-denim-short-31944&pos=0
Which are very flattering

I think you can still wear denim shorts without looking tragic – you're only 35! How short are we talking?! Maybe not arse-cheeks-out actual hot pants, but there are loads that are reasonably short without being obscene. I'm a couple of years older than you and a 10/12 but last time I bought shorts I went for 12 for a bit more fabric. My kids are younger than yours though so maybe that's skewing your view a bit? Mine don't care what I wear... yet! Maybe something with a neat folded over hem rather than raw hem if you want to avoid looking too try-hard? (If there's a word for neat folded hem on denim shorts I've had a total mind-blank!) Nothing wrong with chino shorts if that's your thing, but I don't think you need to rule out denim just yet. Those boy fit ones linked above look great to me. That's the kind of thing I wear and I don't think I look tragic?! Hope not anyway...

My favourite pair are from M&S I think - quite high-waisted black linen mix with pockets and a toe belt - just enough give and fabric in them for me not to feel self-conscious! I have some similar ones from Gap. I like a sort of paperbag waist as there's no gaping, and I must have pockets.

I quite like baggy denim cutoffs but I have a horror of skin-tight knee-length denim shorts - they make me feel weirdly claustrophobic (I know...) 😱 I get the same feeling wearing closed-toe shoes on a hot day!

Tie belt not toe belt...ugh, a toe belt would be horrendous 😂

Yes, the paperbag style look really nice and are that bit looser too.

Maybe I do just need to buy similar to what I like now, but a couple of inches longer and looser.

I got paperbag and they looked awful on me but I have quite a big tummy even though I only wear size 12. I chucked them away lol. I love linen ones.

Yeah I echo all the above. Shorts that are not tight around your thighs are so much more flattering - no matter how skinny the thigh!

I'm a 10 and usually buy 12-14 shorts depending on the cut

I never thought about getting a size up. Definitely going to try that.

I have these from Oliver Bonas - they're v flattering and comfy too. I've worn them out with a nice top and heels or more casually

www.oliverbonas.com/ie/fashion/button-blue-tencel-shorts-238654

Mine are Asda, they all look terrible so I buy cheap ones! Might splash out if we get to go to Italy this summer which also will require crash dieting

Chino ones from Boden
I’m a size 16 but now I am almost 50 I wear what I like and give no fucks

[quote allaboutthebrew]I have these from Oliver Bonas - they're v flattering and comfy too. I've worn them out with a nice top and heels or more casually

www.oliverbonas.com/ie/fashion/button-blue-tencel-shorts-238654[/quote]
Those are really nice

Mine are all just cut off jeans with the legs all frayed or rolled up.

I'm a few years older than you, but I do have pretty good legs still, despite being a podgy size 16.

@minniemoocher I love my asda ones!

I bought these last year, and wore them a lot.

I'm 62.

I absolutely love my joules shorts - have them in four different colours