I have to wear shorts or I would faint from the heat. I walk the dog, sit outside, garden and all sorts of things. I can't do those activities in skirts. My legs look like tree stumps in long shorts. They are not my best feature. They are ok in mid thigh shorts.

Rachylou, I agree with you on disliking shorts. My legs stick or get burned on hot leather car seats. I feel that shorts showcase the legs and mine will no longer hold up to being featured. I do live with lots of long hot days and wear the knee-length slim version like Angie shows. I also like casual denim skirts and linen pants.

I am also not a shorts fan. They make me even hotter in the hot summer months. BUT I bought the Zella City short last year ( for hiking and biking ) and I absolutely love it. I love wear them out and about anywhere. They super comfortable and incredibly lightweight. It drove me to buy the uber lightweight Zella banded capri. These things are awesome.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ze.....tafeed-_-w...

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ze.....ort&c...

: )

Shorts are a cute option to pants when it's hot, if wearing a skirt would be too formal or if you need to move around in slightly acrobatic ways.

I wear only shorts that are very well cut. I refuse to wear anything flimsy, too short, made for a 14 yr old, or too boxy or shapeless. My thighs are full, I am athletic, and I am a long-torso/short leg body type. Everything against me when it comes to shorts.

But

I found that when it comes to shorts, cut is everything.

This year with waists rising, shorts have become kinder. If you have short legs, it is more flattering visually when the waist sits higher.

The present trend for nice athletic shoes is also helpful. White leather tennis shoes worn without socks look good with classic shorts.

I got a couple at a Tommy Hilfiger outlet, and am very happy with them. Last year I had gotten a pair of shorts from the same store and they were terrible: too tight across the butt and thighs, too loose at the waist..

Mostly I find shorts uncomfortable, but interesting thoughts about styles and waists... When it comes to shorts they're all, in my mind, either 70s style joggers or khakis hacked off to various lengths...

Super late reply, but I dislike shorts too! Uncomfortable! The only ones I can tolerate are some old cut-off cargo capris and jeans that were too big. They're loose and fine for yard work, but I would never wear them out.

Late to this too.

I prefer capris, or whatever they are called now, because my knees don't get sunburned when I'm sitting for long (ie boating). Also, more protection from the unpredictable breezes or killer AC. And, I can dress some of them up enough for work. Likewise for skirts in summer.

Shorts look best on me mid-thigh length, thus the warmth and formality issues. My thighs are longer than my lower legs, so knee length shorts look really odd on me.

I do like to wear shorts when I am wading at the shore (which I hope it will be warm enough to do soon!) Whatever length I have, I end up rolling them up farther as I go out deeper, and sometimes a short skirt gets less wet...

Short answer: I live in the desert. I have kind of weird knobby knees, and I'm 48 so the skin on my legs is not so youthful as it was. But when it's 110+ outside, it's too hot to wear long pants during the day, unless I'm going to be inside all day and need to be more "dressed up". This summer, though, I want to learn how to "dress up" shorts a bit more, try wearing them with wedges and dressier tops. I do like knits skirts in the summer, too, and I would like to get a couple of knit short-sleeve casual dresses, but I find it hard to get the right length (I feel like I'm too old for the shorter skirts and dresses that prevail these days).

Capris are more my thing too.

Wendi - I use to live in the desert! The Arizona desert, 125F in summers. I really couldn't wear shorts in that heat, because shorts fit so close but leave so much exposed... I have been branded by a wayward seatbelt buckle in my life time!

I live in Arizona, rachylou. It's already been 105 this week, so it looks like it will be nice and warm this summer. Like I said, I do like skirts. I had a couple of great casual skirts that went well with tees, but I lost weight and haven't found any good replacements. But I find shorts pretty comfy for most casual days. I'm enjoying Angie's outfit formula of denim shorts, cute shirt, and hat.

Fun thread! I like shorts because they give me more variety for my overall style. If I want to be casual, sometimes a pair of shorts just feels "right." And when the weather gets really hot, I'd rather wear a pair of shorts than a really short skirt, because you have to be much more careful with the skirt so that you don't show certain parts of your anatomy!

I do find that shorts can be uncomfortable if the leg opening isn't big enough. The length can be an issue too, if when you sit down they ride up too much. Maybe a pair of longer shorts would be worth trying, rachylou?

I don't like to wear shorts (everything above knee length) all that much either. I prefer longer lengths, although they often look a bit frumpy on me. When it's too hot for those I prefer a skirt or a dress! As others before have said I hate to sit directly on hot surfaces - sweating and then sticking to public transport seats etc... Uh no. And it's more bared skin where I can get a sunburn. I think I'll always need one pair for wearing at home or for biking/walking/holidays. But one pair is enough.

I don't like shorts.

No shorts for me. i"m a skirts/dresses gal.

I'm liking culottes actually... Best of both worlds

Shorts are a given for me. It's much easier for me to move around with kids in shorts than a skirt. And it's hot here - 24C (75F) four days into "winter".

Wow, I'm surprised and happy to learn I am not alone in my dislike for shorts. While I love capri's, clam diggers, and ankle pants, I really dislike shorts. I just don't like the way I look in them, but I wear them when it gets too hot to wear much else. My preference is for the closer cut and longer bermuda short.