This Season’s “Short List”

In much of Europe and the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries shorts were worn as outerwear only by young boys until they reached a certain height or maturity. When boys got older, typically around puberty, they would receive their first pair of long trousers. This produced the perception that shorts were only for young boys. Because of this, men would not wear shorts to avoid looking immature.

In the 1890s, knee pants (an early type of short pants) became the standard wear for American boys. Many urban school portraits from the 1890s show all but the oldest boys wearing knee pants.

From the 1950’s, however, shorts became a staple of men’s wardrobes – particularly in the US – and were traditionally slim and fitted. In many countries, however, there are few formal settings where wearing shorts would be acceptable, as they are considered casual wear. Notable exceptions where men may wear short trousers to the office or at a formal gathering are South Africa, Bermuda, Australia and New Zealand.

Styles

• Baggies: loose-fitting shorts which reach the knees.
• Bermuda shorts: Approximately knee-length short trousers commonly worn in Bermuda (with long socks
and a blazer and tie) for business attire and even at cocktail parties.
• Board shorts: A combination of shorts and a bathing suit, which have recently gained in popularity, that reach the knee or below.
• Cargo shorts: Typically khaki shorts with cargo pockets.
• Cut-offs or Daisy Dukes: Home-made by cutting the legs off trousers, typically jeans (known as “denim
cut-offs”), above the knee.
• Cycling shorts: Skin-tight long shorts originally worn by cyclists to reduce chafing while cycling, but which have also been adapted and adopted as street wear.
• Hot pants: Categorized as “short shorts,” they commonly have an inseam length of two inches or less. They are meant to emphasize the
buttocks and the legs.
• Jean shorts: Made out of denim, jean shorts are worn by both genders.
• Three quarter pants (Or Flood Pants): A name used to refer to pants such as Shants or Shankles which go down to the calf and are arguably not long shorts but ‘short longs’.
• Zip-off Shorts or Convertible Shorts: A pair of long pants that zip off at the knee, allowing the wearer to change from pants to shorts as the weather changes.
• Yimps: Very short men’s shorts designed to have a vintage, mid-
century look.

Eric Christian is a style consultant. Eric@styleconciergemiami.com www.styleconciergemiami.com

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