By Claire Quaty
The great thing about shorts is the comfort they provide. Made
from a variety of materials and styled in a number of lengths,
they are appropriate gear for a variety of uses, including
sports, walking, climbing, swimming and all around casual wear.
Athletic shorts are used when playing racquetball, working out
at the gym, and playing sports. They are generally loose fitting
and made of nylon for shape or cotton jersey for breathability.
"Bun huggers" are short, tight, and made from spandex and/or
nylon. They are worn by girls and young women when playing such
sports as volleyball. Their tight fit and ultra short length
give the wearer an increased range of motion.
For biking and running, special shorts are made from
tight-fitting lycra and spandex to prevent chafing and extra
movement. These shorts also make the athlete more aerodynamic,
adding to his/her performance.
Today, walking shorts are more for style than for walking. They
come down to the knees or right above them. Women wear walking
shorts when they want to be casual, without showing too much
skin. They are perfect at a casual summer lunch or barbeque and
can be worn to do light gardening.
Swim shorts, or trunks, are used by men to swim or sunbathe.
They are usually made of nylon or some other quick drying, shape
retaining fabric. The length varies from mid-thigh to well below
the knees.
Bermuda shorts were not invented in Bermuda. They were designed
in London, England, at the turn of the 20th century for British
soldiers stationed in tropical and subtropical climates. Today’s
Bermuda shorts extend to three inches above the knee, with a
three inch, hand sewn hem, to make them hang properly. They come
in a variety of colors and light weight fabrics in both pleated
and flat fronts.
Almost everyone had cut-off shorts when they were growing up
and even into their college years. Cut offs were usually a pair
of pants or jeans with the legs “cut off” after they became too
worn to patch. The length depended on the wearer’s taste and
extended anywhere from below the crotch to just above the knee.
Shorts changed greatly over the years. In the 1960’s and 70’s,
short shorts, or hotpants, were designed to emphasize the
buttocks and legs and were very popular with young women.
Culottes, or very long shorts, can substitute for skirts and are
sometimes worn with tights in the winter. “Skorts” are shorts
with an extra piece of fabric in the front that makes them
resemble a skirt. Capri pants are shorts that extend below the
knee. Cargo shorts have large “cargo” pockets, are made from
khaki material, and may be khaki brown, OD green or camouflage
colors. Currently, “Boy Shorts” are in fashion with young women.
They are tight fitting shorts that extend from just below the
navel to crotch level. There are types designed for the outdoors
and worn as short shorts or a cover for bikini swimwear. As
well, boy shorts are made in lighter weight materials and used
as lingerie, usually incorporating lace or ribbons in their
design. Both types are made from a variety of fabrics and come
in many styles and colors.
Although there are countless styles to choose from, one should
pick shorts that flatter the form while concealing its weak
points. Style and length matter when choosing shorts for any
occasion. Most shorts come in both flat front or pleated styles.
Some incorporate a drawstring waist, which allows the wearer to
adjust the waist size. A salesperson can be of help by
suggesting alternative sizes and cuts.
As a person gets older, the style of their shorts should
change. Shorts that are too short look tacky and those that are
too long look frumpy. Well fitted shorts are a must. The larger
a person is, the more their shorts should be tailored and
lengthy to flatter their body.
About the Author: Read more from Claire Quaty at:
http://www.myshopping-magazine.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
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