Shorts are my nemesis-help! - YouLookFab Forum

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Shorts are my nemesis-help!

Anonymous

Has anyone worn, tried, or seen in the wild Lululemon fast and free shorts? Are they 100% opaque, would they work for curvy hips/bum, and how's the sizing (I usually size up to M for gear)?
I tried on similar at Athleta and they were no go's
Basically what I want is somewhere around knee length leggings for summer if anyone has other recs. A pocket for my phone-keys is ideal, in case I want to run outside. I do have some shorter ones, but they ride up, and make me self conscious at yoga

Also hunting cozy black shorts for sleeping, again seeking 100% opaque-something that is ok to go out to the yard and doesn't look like pajamas! I currently have 1 pair of Champion ones that work well, but need a second, and wasn't happy with the current crop (too heavy and odd fit). All others I've seen are too sheer and/or light colors, twee prints. Or have obvious drawstrings-what's up with that?!
I'm also debating skorts as an alternative for both.

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30 replies

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Brooklyn

Veteran

Can’t help you with shorts (my nemesis too) but I do wear skorts from sports skirts (US co that has an outlet here). I wear the happy girl skort (prefer the high waist version) and the go longer skirt. Both in black. The go longer skirt is a bit more gear-ish but both are opaque and not too short. They also have a phone pocket in the under shorts.

Anonymous

Thanks Brooklyn! That may well be the direction I go this year.

So far what I've been seeing in the last couple days of hunting:
Lots of short running shorts
Hiking type shorts with buttons and zips (not comfy for gym)
Full length and 7/8 leggings by the boatload (left over from winter probably)
Sigh...

anne

Veteran

Just seconding Brooklyn on skirt sports. Been happy with mine for running and hiking.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I can go and check those shorts out for you. Right now the store near me is saying “stock info not available” which means they probably don’t have them. But they are new, so they may still co e in. I will keep looking, and please feel free to remind me!

Once they are in I can get measurements etc. Just tell me what you need.

Anonymous

Thanks so much Elizabeth P! They have a shop about an hour away but its awkward parking-so I normally don't go to that shopping center.
Started looking at Skirt Sports too. Think I like the longer one more and I like that there's the pocket.

I tried on one skort at Columbia yesterday but it flipped up in back like a duck tail-even when I sized up.

Either way-I'd use for running, tennis, kickboxing, Zumba, weightlifting, yoga, pilates, barre, and biking (found cushy seat bike so padded shorts not needed right now). I just keep my gear in the car and do whatever is available at the gym that day

Toban

Veteran

I've tried the Fast and Free capris. They are an awesome material and opaque. Unfortunately they are high rise, which doesn't work at all for my short rise length. The shorts are also high-rise based on description of features. I've had better success with Athleta's contender shorts. It's mid-rise -- so high rise on me, but very comfortable. I believe they are available online only. https://athleta.gap.com/browse.....pcid=46711

Anonymous

I didn't like the Contenders on me-maybe I need the higher rise of the Fast and Frees.

Oh-btw Toban I looked at the grey version of this cinnamon (online only) hoodie at Athleta but very thin technical fabric- not soft and cozy as it appears

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Style Fan

Veteran

I am going to Lululemon today. I will check to see if they have them and try them on. Is there something specific you want to know?

Anonymous

@Style Fan -are they 100% opaque (hold them up to the light-cause almost none are), and would they work for a curvy body-do they have extra room in the backside? And do they lay flat on the sides? One of the pairs of Athletas I tried had a different sort of fabric on the sides, which flipped out at the bottom and looked silly

I wear 4-6 but worry that Lulu has a rep for being only for the very skinny (and the parking is awkward) so I haven't bought anything there. But those looked comparable in quality from the pic to the Athletas, and similar in price, so worth investigating!

Style Fan

Veteran

I will check them out Suntiger. I looked online to see if they were in stock in Montreal and they said information unavailable. Not sure what that means! Are you looking for the 10 inch version?

Lululemon works well for me and I have a curvy bottom. I do have to size up at least one size and maybe two. I am usually a size 6 but in Lululemon it is a unknown! This is why I always shop in person.

Anonymous

Yes-10 inch is good. I have little short biker type shorts, cause that's what was available last year, but they ride up bad

I always size up with gear anyway. For some reason gear always runs way smaller than everything else!

Toban

Veteran

The 10” Lululemon shorts are a new product that just showed up on website. I also can’t find it in nearby stores, so likely they are not yet in stores. In bottoms, I am a small or 4 at Athleta, but a 6 at Lululemon. I’ve tried this material in their capris and it is lovely. Just the waist was too high for me. If you order online, definitely go for the larger size if between sizes.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Why not try some other bike shorts? They'd be perfect for sleeping in, and you could wear them for the backyard stuff you're talking about with no problem.

Anonymous

Checking all options right now -checked UA and Marshalls too, didn't hit Nike or Adidas yet. Often leggings of any sort, inc bike shorts, are not opaque-and then they get thinner over time No one needs to see my knickers-at the gym or in my neighborhood!
The Lulus I wouldn't wear at home and risk little kneading claws! Think I should try the L then at Lulu, Toban? I generally go with M for gear bottoms.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much for this! I have the EXACT same need and have been feeling frustrated so far with my search this year. Will keep reading.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suntiger, I wear Lululemon so clearly they are NOT only for the skinny! Sometimes they work for me. Try them out. You know they moved from the Target complex and are now in Annapolis Mall, right? Right near Nordstrom.

I also would not immediately size up at Lulu. Sometimes I have to (because I don't want terribly body con these days), but actually find it more an issue with some of their tops than with pants. It depends on the cut, and whether the item is fabricated with stretch. I have running capris that are several years old in a size 6 that still fit, and I am clearly not a size 6 anymore.

Toban

Veteran

Suntiger, if choice is in S ML at Lululemon, I would go with the M for you as best bet.

Anonymous

Its now in the mall not the monolith?! Hoorah

Anonymous

I am decidedly NOT skinny, and wear Lulu all the time. Every type of item they make, basically I have to size up in the tops, and used to size up in the bottoms, but my older 8's still fit.

Anyways - I have this need in my wardrobe too, and actually find my best solutions at Golf Town or some store like it. Golf skirts and longer shorts are done in superior technical fabrics and styling has come a long, long way.

Style Fan

Veteran

I went to the Lululemon and they did not have the short version but they did have the capri version. The SA said the shorts would be in next week. She assured me that the material was exactly the same and the sizing was the same. I tried a pair on in a size 8 which is my usual Lululemon size. The material is lovely and is only opaque if the light is strong. They are high rise which could be good. They lie flat on the sides.
My undies did not show through so they would be good for Yoga. I actually haven't noticed a lot of see through Yoga pants in the last few years and I go to a lot of Yoga. Maybe I am not looking hard enough!

Anonymous

Thanks for checking SF! Will have to pop over there then, they sound promising. And I had not thought about golfwear at all-can't hurt!

Checked Nike-same ol stuff. Very short or very long

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Agree with the other posters endorsing skorts. I love my Nike and Patagonia skorts! They look completely like skirts outside but have pockets, quick dry fabric, and shorts underneath with good ventilation. I like that I can go from activity to being somewhat presentable seamlessly. I guess skirts are a little uncool but they are sooooo useful.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Check Athleta and Gap Body too.

Anonymous

I went to Athleta first, and the local Gap (outlet) had no gear. They took the gear out of our ON too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Look online, perhaps.

Staysfit

Veteran

I wear my 7/8’s with a light weight tank top in the summer, or a running skirt. I put my phone in a belt bag designed for running. I used to wear bike short style shorts but the elastic in the legs started to chafe at the bottom.

LaPed

Veteran

Not sure if these would fill the bill for you exactly, but I'll vouch for the T9 "Not So Tight" shorts. Good alternative to bike shorts if you want something that isn't body-con but still knee-length. I also like T9's Anti-Run short, which comes in 5" and 7" inseams, but it looks like they've redesigned it and many of the reviews are critical.

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Anonymous

The first T9s look worth a try, the others look wider than I want-thanks!
7/8 leggings are just too hot til October or so. They're not that awful in the a/c, but it's 90+ and humid outside!

Glory

Veteran

The Lulu shorts looks promising. I am surely not thin and I have two bottoms from them - the On the Fly pant. Tops are more difficult. I find the online with Lulu excellent and use it because sizing in the store is so limited.
Last summer I purchased a Columbia anytime casual skort on a recommendation here on the forum and it has been great. It is very light weight and washes well. I don't think it would work for yoga but great for biking, walking and general running about.

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