Shorts

Shorts are a garment worn around the pelvic area. They circle the waist and split to cover the upper legs. They do not cover the entire length of the leg.

People call them shorts because they are a shortened version of pants. Pants cover the entire leg down to the foot. Shorts are often chosen for warm weather. They provide better airflow and comfort than long trousers. This makes them useful in hot environments.

Different styles of shorts serve specific functions. Bermuda shorts are a notable example. They terminate three to four inches above the knee.

Men in Bermuda often wear them with blazers and ties for business or cocktail parties. These shorts come in many colors, from navy to bright pink.

Another type is boardshorts, also called "baggies" or "jams." These are long and loose for aquatic sports. They were first called "surf trunks" in Hawaii during the 1950s.

They protect a surfer's legs from sticking to surfboard wax. Cargo shorts are an abbreviated version of cargo pants. They feature multiple pockets stitched to the outside of the legs. These pockets are useful for fishermen or sportsmen.

Shorts also exist as specialized underwear. Boxer shorts were introduced in 1925 by Jacob Golomb. He founded the clothing company Everlast.

He designed them as an alternative to leather-belted trunks used in boxing.

In the 1980s and 1990s, women began wearing them as sleepwear. A newer variation is the boxer brief. These use elastic knit fabric for a snug fit. Women also wear boyshorts, which emerged in the 1990s.

These resemble abbreviated hotpants and have wide sides. They are sometimes used by female athletes instead of "bun-huggers." Bun-huggers are very brief, tight, unisex athletic shorts.

The history of shorts shows changing social views. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, shorts were mostly for young boys in Europe and America.

Boys wore them until they reached puberty. After that, they received long trousers. This created a perception that shorts were immature. Men avoided them to look more adult. In the 1890s, American boys commonly wore knee pants.

This changed after World War II. Many soldiers served in tropical locations and wore shorts. This helped adult men wear them more often. By the late 1960s, the countercultural movement made shorts more popular. By the 1970s, people began wearing jean shorts frequently.

Terminology for shorts varies by region. In British English, "short trousers" refers to formal versions. These are often worn by schoolboys or policemen in tropical climates.

In India, they are sometimes called "half pants." In Australia, men may call them "stubbies." The term "boxer shorts" is an American coinage. In the United States, the word "pants" usually means outerwear. In British English, "pants" refers to underwear. This can cause confusion between the two cultures.

Cultural acceptance of shorts has developed differently across the world. In some Asian countries, shorts were once considered taboo. In China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, they conflicted with traditions regarding modesty.

There were also worries about sexual harassment. Today, shorts are becoming more accepted among young people in Asia. They are seen as symbols of freedom and energy. Wearing shorts can represent gender equality and a break from old rules. In large cosmopolitan cities, women wear them more often. In some places, women wear loose shorts that end below the knee to remain modest.

Shorts connect to various social and professional systems. While often seen as casual, they have formal uses in some places. In South Africa, Bermuda, Australia, and New Zealand, men may wear short trousers to the office.

Since the 1990s, casual office dress has grown in British and American businesses. This includes formal shorts, though it is not universal. Shorts also relate to the history of sports. For example, football players used to be required to cover their knees. In 1904, the Football Association of England dropped this rule. This led to the use of loose-fitting "baggies" in football.