Shorts is a state of mind.

By Manda

I don't know about you, but I am wearing shorts this summer like it's my JOB.

And guess what? I'm of the short-legged variety. I have an, er, "athletic" build. That's right. I have stumpy legs. AND I WEAR SHORTS. I have always felt that if I was going to get away with shorts I had to have perfect, long legs with zero jiggle (so? I was doomed to burn up in capris and long shorts all summer long).

Maybe it's because I now have two children. Maybe it's because I'm in my thirties now and I value vanity less than comfort (dude, it's hot! I do not care if my legs are hanging out!). Maybe I'm just way more comfortable in my own skin now than I ever was at any size. I'm a size 10 right now, just so you know. I have been a 4. I have been a 14. And when I was a size 6-8 and had no babies and had toned, 20-something runner legs? I wore only those Bermuda shorts that come all the way down to the knee. I would like to go back in time and slap myself. (Why just last summer I wrote about my shorts phobia!)

Whatever it is, I like it! I don't have perfect legs and I do not care! I wear my shorts and I like it!

My favorite shorts this summer are these Old Navy Perfect Khaki Shorts (3 1/2 inch). They have a little cuff and are a little stretchy, soft and yet structured, and (in my opinion?) are actually quite flattering. Who knew that shorter shorts actually make shorter legs look longer?!

I have the rifle grey, black, and navy blue. And since they are now on sale for ten bucks? I'm probably going to get a few more!

So tell me, are you shorty-shorts-phobic? Why? Or why not? 

 (photo via OldNavy.com)

Comments

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

I too have had a shorts renaissance this summer! (Shorts-aissance?) Old Navy ones are my fave. I tried J Crew and they fit weird, plus were more than double the price.

[Em]

I preferred wearing shorts more when I was in my 20s but still wear them (at 31). My issue is that my legs (muscular runners legs) look better in shorter shorts. Now that I'm in my 30s I feel like I need to embrace longer shorts but they tend to look weird on my thighs. I've never had luck with Old Navy shorts but maybe I'll try these 3/5 inch ones.

[Mama Bub]

I NEVER wore shorts in my younger, thinner days. Now? They're pretty much all I wear. I think the shorter ones look better than the bermudas, even though I'm showing a whole lot of leg. SHORTS FOREVAH.

[kayemgi]

Yep, I have short legs too and I've found shorter shorts make them look longer! I hate going back to pants in the fall, I feel so stumpy. I found a style, shockingly, at Walmart this year that I love. The material doesn't seem to wrinkle as easy when I sit in them all day at work, and they only cost $10! I've also had luck at Target and JCrew.