Yikes. If *I* can handle the sight of myself in shorts and many of you can't do the same for yourselves, I wonder what is wrong with our self perceptions. Seriously, I am the poster girl for pasty, cellulite, keratosis pilaris-ridden, spider-veiny thighs -- if I can wear them, I think anyone can.

It's going to hit 87 here today. Breaking out the shorts as we speak.

I don't. I like to see them on other people but I don't find them comfortable or flattering on me.

No issues with shorts - I wear them as soon as the weather is warm enough. Easy and practical. I agree that a sundress can be more comfortable on a hot day, but I find it harder to find a good one (doesn't show bra straps, etc.)

FWIW, I've never seen anyone in shorts and thought they shouldn't be. I'm not a fan of the cut off jeans with pockets hanging out, but that is a style preference.

All my shorts (I'm not counting clam diggers as those are cropped pants to me) are mid thigh or shorter. I dont wear Bermudas. I have poison eye for those and a similar length skirt is much more preferable IMO. But I like the shorter length for really hot days, as a skirt that length would be indecent. Plus, as others have said, sitting on the ground and doing things like yard work are more practical when you don't have to worry about flashing someone.

That said, I don't wear shorts to work. They're strictly weekend wear for me. Once or twice a week is about how often I want to wear them. I also don't wear tight shorts (I usually buy them 1-2 sizes up from normal) or denim shorts (thick denim is too hot, so what's the point?)

I do have the annoying issue where my shorts bunch up between ,y legs when I walk, which is both uncomfortable and unattractive. But I don't know how to solve this problem. Any ideas? All my shorts have wider, looser legs and as I mentioned are on the short side.

I wear them when I don't want to be careful with how I sit in skirts. Otherwise, I prefer skirts, too.

I live in Shorts Nation. When everyone wears something, it looks "normal". Plus I love the comfort and practicality of shorts over a skirt.

I have really long legs and used to love wearing shorts....but "I'm getting up there" and prefer a midi type casual dress to stay cool...my legs have lots of freckles and such and arent that pretty to look at:(

Carole, bite your tongue!! Freckles are beautiful (says the freckly Irish-Canadian girl)

I also wear shorts all summer long (actually all year long if you count workouts). The sun is very strong here, and even lightweight pants are too much coverage outside during the day. I love skirts and dresses, and wear them to work, but on weekends being outside walking dogs, going to my son's baseball games, etc. I don't want to worry about a skirt getting caught in the breeze and flashing everyone. If a skirt is heavy enough to withstand the wind, it's probably too heavy for high summer. My thighs are not small and I have visible veins, but I don't care. I'm not going to give myself heatstroke just because I don't look like a model. I just find the shorts that are the most flattering on me (not too long, not too short, not too tight) and wear them with fun breezy tops and sandals or sneaks.

I like my legs. I live in a hot climate and it's windy so skirts/dresses are not really a great alternative (and I just don't wear skirts). I can't imagine not wearing shorts. Mine are long enough so my legs typically aren't going to stick to anything but here everyone has the AC on inside so if you're sitting down, it's probably cool, and if you're sitting down outside, it's probably on wood or mesh outdoor chairs.

I love shorts for hot weather and I will wear a variety of lengths other than super-short.

However, summer is also my main time to wear skirts and dresses, and that is why I retire my jeans for most of the season.

It's a climate and lifestyle thing. Skirts would be awkward and uncomfortable hiking, golfing, camping, or sailing. Worn in these environments, the condition of your legs isn't really important--much like wearing a bathing suit on a beach or workout clothes at the gym. That attitude carries over to casual times around the house and yard for many of us.

"Fashion" shorts, though, are a totally different thing in my books--with a whole set of hesitations about what kinds, and when, where, and how they could be worn stylishly. Much, MUCH trickier, IMO.

I wear long shorts that are to the knee. I love that length because it's casual, comfortable, practical and cool, but reasonably covered. Or I wear knee-length harem pants.

The last time I wore short shorts was at age 11. It's just not my look. If I lived in a HOT climate without a/c I would wear more dresses and skirts. They feel more my style than than a pair of short shorts.

I'm rather amazed at the number of women here who don't wear shorts! I almost never wear a skirt or a dress unless I'm going out , or unless it's a golf skirt. And yes, I know exactly what third world facilities are like, - thanks Elizabeth - haha - but not sure how that related to any of us here on the forum Anyways - I'm with Janet, and with torontogirl - I'm super freckled and quite like it! Freckles and tanned legs blur over minor veins and other things . On this note, I think I'll go out and buy another pair of shorts :!

When it's hot and humid like today ( 33 Celsius ), I can't wait to put on shorts. Longer Bermuda length with a slim leg are my favourites. And yes I have wrinkly knees and a few spider veins, but so far no one has shrieked or fainted when they see me, so I'll carry on!

I like shorts because they are short pants. I find it hard to figure out the proportions on skirts--what length and shape goes best with what length and shape of top. Pants and shorts are a lot easier for me to wear from that perspective. It must be something about my leg length, in relation to the rest of my body. I also like the ability to move and bend, sit cross-legged on the ground if the occasion calls for it, that kind of thing. I just find them more comfortable to wear. I don't wear dressy shorts, even though I like them on others; shorts are strictly casual wear for me (so far!).

I adore shorts because I find them easier to style than skirts, I can wear them shorter and they make my butt look even better than it already does.

I prefer skits and dresses in summer for the variety and coolness factor. (I can't wear them and be comfortable in the middle of winter.) But I did just buy a pair of faded denim Bermuda shorts for a silhouette change of pace. I plan to try them with this look by Angie. http://youlookfab.com/2015/05/.....p-and-hat/

I don't like them, not on me and not much on other adults outside of appropriate activities. It gets hot here, but I always manage to find longer options that to me are equally comfortable. Lots of shorter linen and tencel pant options this year. I kind of resent the idea I should get comfortable with my body in shorts, a bikini, whatever. The idea that we need to wear these relatively bare things is totally cultural and if one is happier in other options, I don't see a problem. My husband recently laughed at me when I suggested he (any man) might want to try on a swimsuit before buying. Nope, they basically just grab one in their size. Because their swimsuits aren't designed to be body conscious. Imagine the freedom!

I rarely wore shorts until recently. When I was in my 20s I didn't like my legs for dumb reasons. And our climate here is rarely warm enough for shorts to be necessary.

When I started dancing more seriously, I started liking my legs (nothing changed except my perception) and since then I've had shorts in my closet for occasional use. I have a pair of oversized denim boyfriend shorts that I love, and a few pairs of tailored wool shorts that fit my androgynous preferences better than skirts.

With our weather, I usually pair shorts with a light sweater and closed-toe shoes so that I'm balancing out the extra exposed skin with extra warmth. There are only a few days a year when a tank top and shorts feels like the right answer - reminds me of summer in New England as a kid.

In my opinion, everyone has the legs for shorts. Not that they should wear them if they don't want to, but don't avoid them because they're worried about other people's opinions. Bodies are great in all their variety!

Shorts to me are more practical than skirts, and you can wear them shorter without having to worry about a wardrobe malfunction (or wearing knit shorts underneath, which is obnoxious in the heat). I do wear skirts a lot in the summer and I agree they can be airier, but they're fussier and give a more dressed up vibe, which isn't always appropriate.

Not to get graphic, but I am from a so called "third world" country and I can drop and squat in any outfit, anywhere. Maybe not gracefully in a prom dress, but regularly while hiking and camping in pants and shorts, right here in the USA.

This thread is cracking me up! I live in muggy Florida and I own exactly one pair of shorts - knee length. I feel really uncomfortable in shorts. My legs aren't my best feature. I don't find them hideous, but unless the shorts are knee length, the proportions feel off. Interestingly enough, though, this thread makes me wonder if I should keep trying. Maybe I haven't cared enough to try hard enough to find some I like. Hmmmm. Interesting thought.

I like shorts more than dresses or skirts in the Summer because I feel more covered. I feel so vulnerable and think a lot about how I'm sitting in dresses. But having said that I've set myself a challenge of wearing more of my skirts and dresses this Summer!

I mostly wear shorts that are just above the knee for age reasons. But frankly, I look much better in shorter shorts because I am on the petite side and short shorts don't chop me in half. However I feel age inappropriate in short shorts, like there's a big disconnect between the turkey neck/sun spotted face and the younger looking legs.

Anyone who knows German may have heard the saying (pardon the bad spelling)
Hinten Lyzeum
Vorn Muzeum

High School Back -- Museum Front (rhymes in German)

I like shorts, from short shorts to above knee length. Pockets are awesome and skirts feel too fussy in terms of remembering not to flash other people or getting in the way of being active. I prefer a skirt as a cover over my swimsuit, for night time, and dressing up. I just get over my own issues with my legs the first few times I wear shorts (or a short skirt or dress) at the beginning of the summer and then forget about it for the rest of the summer.

It's really important to me that, on my off time, I not wear clothes that seem like work clothes. Since I often wear dressed-up jeans to work, sometimes this is a challenge. Which is why even on a coolish day I might wear a pair of shorts. They definitely signal *I'm not at work.*

I only wear denim shorts, close to the leg, that end above the knee. Last year I tried looser shorter twill shorts and did not feel good in them.

I too would like to wear more dresses and skirts in the summer, but it hasn't happened yet

I really did not wear shorts in my younger and more fit days and body. Like Greyscale I started dancing last year and the freedom of loving my body and all of its imperfections magnified my comfort level.

I love my shorts! When the weather is warm I change into them as soon as I get home from work and wear them on the weekends for casual events and ordinary errands. As karymk says, So Cal is Shorts Nation so it seems perfectly normal here. Also my legs are one of my best features so I don't mind showing them, but I feel way too exposed in short skirts.

I wear shorts as soon as it gets warm here in Maryland. I have never worn them to work but wear knee length denim shorts and poplin Bermuda shorts in white, khaki, and navy after work and on weekends. Even though I'm 62, I tend to be very active and skirts and dresses always seem too dressy for my casual lifestyle. I'm athletic, so my legs look pretty good, but I'd probably wear them even if they didn't! I like the versatility of shorts and feel that my casual summer footwear (Naot sandals and Birkenstocks) and sometimes sneakers look better with shorts than dresses and skirts.

Thank you all for the explanations!

So typical of me, I never considered the look of my legs or anything as a reason for wearing / not wearing shorts. (That's right, haven't got an once of consideration for others and if I might be blinding them, hehe.)

I also feel more exposed in shorts than a skirt. Shorts seem more revealing to me, because they show your shape. I mean, like, isn't that weird?

And I don't feel constricted in skirts. Then again, I was raised Edwardian and to walk, for example, without swinging my arms. I.e., constriction is a way of life, ahaha!

Knee pants I'd be more inclined to wear... as part of a suit, to the office. Right. I know. That's even weirder.

I don't know how different I'd be if were a gym-goer or capital A athletic. I mean, my bike - while not strictly a *girl's bike* - is skirt friendly. However, I'm pretty sure if I lived in So Cal, I'd probably at least own a pair of shorts. Maybe if the weather here in the Bay Area were warm (instead of being cold with a flash into the 90s-100s in Fall), it would be different yet again...