I once read somewhere that until the late 1960s the British had a consulate in my hometown of St. Louis, and that it was considered a tropical posting. As such, the story goes that their personnel were issued the same warm weather gear as issued to those posted to the likes of Bermuda or Hong Kong. I don't know it the story is true, or perhaps apocryphal, given the sweltering summer temperatures here, but the thought of Limeys sauntering through our streets in khaki shorts and pith helmets always gives me a chuckle.
The hatred of shorts seems to be a way for men who don't have style to pretend they care about style. Given how sloppily and uninspired most men are in their dress, shorts have an advantage in there is less ugly material.
I lived in Eastern Asia for over a decade. Whether in suits or jeans and t shirts, men wore clothes that fit them. The fact that they aren't as fat enhanced the look.
Coming back to the US, I find it jarring how 80 + percent of men are either fat or slender with no muscle tone. Most men dress as though they are going to clean out the garage when they are out and about. But then, all the buildings are ugly and boring and the cars all look alike too.
Truly enjoyed reading this article (while wearing thrifted St. John's Bay Bermuda shorts last Monday). Grant, you have just convinced me that I do need to pull the trigger on sending my membership application / email to my local OGC chapter.
I look forward to sharing my own aesthetic observations, in due time, with you (all) over on my Substack page.
Thank you, from the bottom of my Florida Man heart, for empowering me, regarding my conviction to dress more elite/elevated.
Excellent article. However, no study of shorts is complete without mentioning the Rhodesian Army.
I once read somewhere that until the late 1960s the British had a consulate in my hometown of St. Louis, and that it was considered a tropical posting. As such, the story goes that their personnel were issued the same warm weather gear as issued to those posted to the likes of Bermuda or Hong Kong. I don't know it the story is true, or perhaps apocryphal, given the sweltering summer temperatures here, but the thought of Limeys sauntering through our streets in khaki shorts and pith helmets always gives me a chuckle.
The hatred of shorts seems to be a way for men who don't have style to pretend they care about style. Given how sloppily and uninspired most men are in their dress, shorts have an advantage in there is less ugly material.
I lived in Eastern Asia for over a decade. Whether in suits or jeans and t shirts, men wore clothes that fit them. The fact that they aren't as fat enhanced the look.
Coming back to the US, I find it jarring how 80 + percent of men are either fat or slender with no muscle tone. Most men dress as though they are going to clean out the garage when they are out and about. But then, all the buildings are ugly and boring and the cars all look alike too.
I am building Bermuda type shorts ensembles for our regional OGC meetups for the hot and humid PA summer.
Truly enjoyed reading this article (while wearing thrifted St. John's Bay Bermuda shorts last Monday). Grant, you have just convinced me that I do need to pull the trigger on sending my membership application / email to my local OGC chapter.
I look forward to sharing my own aesthetic observations, in due time, with you (all) over on my Substack page.
Thank you, from the bottom of my Florida Man heart, for empowering me, regarding my conviction to dress more elite/elevated.
I like shorts that go to my knee or a little bit lower.
Gross, dude.
Anything above the knee is kinda fruity.
The cope for the man with pirate 3/4 shorts
Anything longer than a 7" inseam are longs, not shorts. 5-6" is ideal.