Editor’s note: The Shop TODAY team has updated this article with current prices.
Maybe because the length of my shorts had to pass the “finger test” for my entire K-12 education. Or maybe it’s because I’m a big fan of The Dukes of Hazzard. Whatever the reason, most shorts I’ve bought as an adult barely cover my butt.
Since entering my early 30s, I’ve started to prepare for the “problem areas” that a slower metabolism can eventually reveal, so I decided to invest in shorts that would help slim down rather than show more skin . So here’s what I’ve learned in just a week since owning my first pair of “adult” shorts.
Colors: 34 | Dimensions: 4-18 | Fabric: 75% silk, 21% nylon, 4% spandex
I thought less fabric was more my style. However, as I compared my distressed denim cuts to these sleek slimming shorts, I realized that my style had evolved. Now I prefer professional to playful and I believe I should leave more to the imagination.
Ironically, these shorts have more fabric but cost less than my favorite pieces. I scored these slimming options with a 5-inch inseam for just $39.99 (now $38). My denim cut-offs? I paid $50 for them and they only have a 2.5 inch inseam!
Why I like these shorts
I can wear them anywhere
I don’t really have the budget or closet space to have multiple pairs of shorts for going to the beach, grocery shopping, lounging around the house, and wearing to church. That’s why these shorts are perfect. They have front and back pockets and come in 34 different colors and prints – although I chose the charcoal shade so they match everything in my wardrobe.
They’re also long enough that I can comfortably wear them to visit my 90-year-old grandmother or to Trader Joe’s, where I’m always standing on tiptoes or bending over to reach those top and bottom shelves.
They are stretchy and move with me
I can’t do splits. I’ll probably never be able to do splits. Still, I want forgiving shorts that move with me. I love wearing these to the dog park because I can climb the obstacles in one giant step (and get away from ankle-biting pups) without fear of snagging my shorts.
In fact, they almost feel like sweatpants thanks to the spandex material. Also as dry as sports shorts. I spilled water on them once and they were dry just five minutes later. However, you can’t tumble dry them because they will shrink, but that’s not a deal breaker—I just wash them and let them air dry on a dryer.
They flatter my figure
What’s great about these shorts is the “body contouring design”. The high waist hugs my hips and flatters my stomach. Because the fabric is so comfortable and the buttons are faux — yes, these are pull-on shorts — I don’t feel like I’m constricted in any way.
These shorts open up to a wider leg with metallic accents so my legs look more trimmed than they would in regular shorts. If I wear them after applying self-tanner that makes my legs look more toned, I might even be tempted to use the hashtag “legs for days.”
What I definitely won’t be tempted to do is go back to wearing my old shorts. Who wears short shorts? Not me. No longer.
More top selling shorts to shop
Nautica Comfort Tailored Stretch Short
Colors: 16 | Dimensions: 0-16 | Cloth: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Amazon Essentials Mid-Rise Slim Khaki Short
Colors: 13 | Dimensions: 0-20 (curved and straight sizes available) | Cloth: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
HDE Chino Shorts
Colors: 15 | Dimensions: S-4X | Cloth: 65% silk, 25% nylon, 10% spandex
Bermuda Hotouch
Colors: 20 | Dimensions: XS-3XL | Cloth: 80% Polyester, 16% Silk, 4% Spandex
