Shorts scare me but I need some please.

[HaveYouHadYourBreak]

Help! I need some shorts for city breaks in hot places. Below knee. Hand luggage only so they need to roll up small, not get overly creased (so no linen etc) and can just throw on with a t shirt.

They'll be worn with either practical trainers/walking shoes or sensible walking sandles.

I'm short and fat and my bum and thighs are huge. I'm very self conscious of my legs.

It is not going to be my best look(!) but I'd like to reduce the awfullness if possible. Any tips or spotted anything?

High Street budget.

Another thought. These are men's - drawstring, organic cotton cheesecloth. So they're crinkly already & will roll up to nothing - plus are likely to be cut wider in the thigh, plus if they're above knee on a tall male model they might be long enough to cover your knees? No length provided - but worth a try?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv080277/y57095

No idea about this brand, but they're cotton & look like cotton gauze close-up? (They're just described as lightweight.) Lots of colours, & cheap. They're also described as trousers, but look short on the 5' 7" model. You could always make them shorter if you want proper culottes/a divided skirt.

Btw I have a skirt with a deep shirred waistband & it is really comfy.

They also have matching very cool-looking cotton tops.

https://www.laundryb.com/frame-cotton-shirring-waist-wide-leg-pant-black/

These are a petite range up to size 18, OP, if that works for you. Again, they're slightly cropped trousers rather than shorts, but could be taken up. Anything cotton that's cheesecloth or what they seem to be calling double gauze, currently, will be light & can be rolled up with little to no creasing.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv066955/v75240

LaundryB also has long shorts, OP. Or a divided skirt, really!

Six colours, "bubble cotton" (aka a type of seersucker!), pockets, won't crease, cheap - & if you're shorter than the 5' 6" model they'll be knee-length or longer on you? They're one size (like the trousers above) to fit 10-22. All made in Italy.

https://www.laundryb.com/dusk-bubble-cotton-shorts-airforce/

Dear god

These look like an option I would say, but hard no to all others from me.

Editing to take that back - one size?

I know it’s each to their own, but even at 5ft 7 as I’m overweight I’d never wear shorts in public these days. I think longer shorts look like Lofty. Shorter shorts look awful on everyone unless legs are very toned and tanned.

In a city, full length linen would be way more suitable in my opinion.

Might be worth looking at trousers here: https://www.rohan.co.uk/womens/trousers/
I see they do a linen/polyester mix. I've got 2 pairs of their trousers and somehow they make fabric that is cool despite synthetic elements. I wore them in Italy during the really hot weather last year.

What’s wrong with being a tourist? I go to several European cities a year and never see any issues with people wearing shorts!

I haven’t heard the word hefty in a long time @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads 😀

I am five 2 and thin but have never found a pair of shorts that look good on me!

OP, I love Uniqlo. It doesn’t follow trends as such, but they def do brighter tops and neutral bottoms rather than just sludge, and are worth a look! Good for holiday staples. I like their skipper tops as they hide my disproportionately big boobs. Their t shirts are far better quality than most. They probably do shorts too!

Lucy and yak chukka trousers or alexa are brilliant. They come up on Vinted a lot too. The chukka ones are 3/4 length. Alexa trousers are full length but I always roll them up and I think they'd be practical for travelling for being able to wear different lengths. https://lucyandyak.com/collections/cropped-wide-leg-trousers

I also think that Next would be a good shout
https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-holidayshop/category-trousers?p=1#0

I also like fat face cuffed trousers for travelling as they are so light and usually tencel or that super soft viscose which is cooling to wear. They are something they do all the time and change designs every year, so there are so many on Vinted or ebay too. They roll up tiny for packing, but I think they work well rolled up to 3/4 length when it's hot, or rolled down in the evening, and also I have slept in them too, so they are brilliant if you are just taking hand luggage and want multipurpose items. They also dry quite quickly so could hand-wash

All made in Italy. - at that price in a Chinese sweatshop in Italy.

And they're awful. The OP says shorts scare her, there's certainly some horrific suggestions on this thread, not just these.

Or one of those shops or market stalls that do the lagenlook made in Italy flowy one size clothes.

I’m short, 5ft4 and a wee bit plump and I wouldn’t find shorts flattering, despite my legs being nice- well lower half anyway.
It would be dresses all the way for me on a city break. They roll up for packing.

If you are wearing them with trainers and walking shoes/sandals anyway why not embrace the look and go for walking shorts like these (on sale) at mountain warehouse. They are really plain and in a lot of colours. Also if you have a mountain warehouse near you you can try them on
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/038240/mw/coastal-womens-stretch-capris/dusky-purple/

sorry picture

Op I'm short with a wide bottom. Knee length shorts wpuld not be a good look on me at all. I mean, you can wear what you like, but sounds like you've swayed away from them.

Try wide leg light weight. Trousers, cropped at ankle.
Maybe a dress? But dont forget chub rub shorts.

Ps. I do wear shorts, but higher than knee length.

Same here, I find shorter ones more flattering by far

The cropped trousers @EleanorMc67 linked to by laundry would be a good alternative. The below knee next ones would end in a bad place on my calf cos sturdy

I can’t wear linen as I look burst, but, and hear me out here, I have these ASOS balloon trousers in black and khaki and they are fab. Lightweight and flattering and nice for day or night. Also comfy for flying. size down though!

I agree wholeheartedly that if you don’t like shorts, dont tend to usually wear them and feel soft conscious in them; don’t wear shorts. I’m 5ft 7 and a size 12 and shorts are the most hideous things on me.

It’s much better to buy and wear your usual style than to force yourself into something you aren’t happy with because you think it’s the done thing.

From your description I would be packing some light wide leg trousers. Or, just your usual dresses and giving them a quick wash overnight if needed. Better to have less items that you are happy wearing than more that you aren’t comfortable in.

I just look like Don Estelle in shorts. The older ones amongst you will get the reference!

https://amzn.eu/d/08AETef1

I highly recommend these. I have all the colours. Comfy cotton jersey with pockets. Don't crease.

Have a look at Asda. You have to be selective and try things on but I recently bought these cheesecloth trousers and they are so soft and cool. I’m an 18 with very chunky legs and big tummy and bought these in a 16, they fit perfectly.

https://direct.asda.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-ASDA-Site/default/Cart-Show

If they don't look good on the model, and those shorts don't, they certainly won't look good on anyone else.

Oops link didn’t work but it’s these