No Thanks, I Don't Want Short Shorts

June 4, 2007 11:59 PM

Need help finding non-short shorts for tall guys.

I am 6' 4" with long legs -- I wear a 38x34 -- 40x36 (depending on the brand or time of day... I haven't measured myself lately). With the unreasonably hot weather in Seattle these past few weeks, I have found myself in need of a pair of shorts.

I want to get some casual-looking shorts like these, but I'm having a hard time finding any that are long enough, as they're always sold by the waist size and nothing else. In the past, I have gotten overly large shorts (42s, for instance) to get something with more length, and worn them with a belt. This looks pretty terrible.

Really, I'm looking for something that, when I'm standing up, will hit at my knee -- not above it. I'm not a real skinny guy either, so short shorts look especially goofy with my rather stocky legs.

So far I have tried: American Eagle (too short, also I didn't really like the designs and going inside the store makes me throw up) and Gap (too short). Anyone have any suggestions for places I might look? I just don't want, you know, these.

posted by rossination to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (26 answers total)

Have you considered cutting your own Huck Finn pants? My own dimensions are totally different, but it's a technique that works. If you can hem, they can look non-skatery, too.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:24 AM on June 5, 2007

If you can't solve your problem any other way, you can buy long pants and get a tailor to cut them off and hem them up for you. Then you can get them made as long or as short as you want. But of course it'll cost a lot more.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:25 AM on June 5, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks for the ideas, Sticherbeast and Steven --- I had thought of that, and it's worth a shot (I've probably got some old pants lying around).

But what I'm really looking for are some of the "madras plaid" shorts, preferably in a deep, vibrant plaid of some kind. I should have made that more clear in the post.
posted by rossination at 12:30 AM on June 5, 2007

Off the top of my head, J.Crew and Polo often make shorts with longer inseams. I've seen them offer inseams as long as 11". It looks like J.Crew's madras shorts come with a 10" inseam. Polo has madras shorts in longer inseams, including this one with an 11.5 incher.

Another thing: you might try calling up the customer service hotlines of some of these stores and ask them help you out. Sometimes the operators know their stuff and can direct you to a suitable piece.
posted by roomwithaview at 1:13 AM on June 5, 2007

How about Quicksilver shorts? Surf-oriented company, but they make some decent looking casual shorts.

See here, here and here.
posted by mullacc at 1:30 AM on June 5, 2007

Have you tried any of the local stores catering to big and tall men?
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 2:44 AM on June 5, 2007

How about these? (Banana Republic has a lot of other "tall shorts," too.)
posted by Hey, Cupcake! at 4:34 AM on June 5, 2007

J Crew, Banana, Gap, Old Navy - online they often but not always list the short inseam. Or go to the store and try them on... I am often able to find something reasonable with a little looking... I also have some from Patagonia that I like for outdoor activities...
posted by objdoc at 5:16 AM on June 5, 2007

Casual Male XL has a couple of madras styles where you can select "Long" as the length.
posted by genefinder at 5:20 AM on June 5, 2007

Eddie Bauer carries shorts for taller men. Some of their shorts have inseam up to 12", although I don't see any madras shorts this season. It's worth checking out their stores since I've found inventory at the store and online to be slightly different.

Land's End has a version with 11" inseam. If you want to go to a bricks-and-mortar store, some Sears stores carry Land's End clothing.
posted by needled at 6:01 AM on June 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'm a larger guy too, 6'2" with 42x32 pants, and I rarely have success finding clothing at trendy (for my area) places like Gap or American Eagle. Where I do tend to find succes in things like pants and shorts are at mall anchor stores. In my area those tend to be JC Penny or Dilliards. Old Navy also tends to have a good selection and I've never had a problem finding shorts of the length you are requesting there.

I've tried places like Casual Male XL but for the dimensions you've listed you are on the borderline small side for the things they carry, as am I. Also, in the times I have shopped there I have been less than impressed with the quality of their clothes. They always seemed very cheap to me.
posted by caflores22 at 6:13 AM on June 5, 2007

Dude you want Old Navy.

I have the exact same shorts you pointed to at BR. While Old Navy won't have the madras style, they'll have regular shorts that'll come up to your knee. I'm 36x34 and have no problem at Old Navy.

The BR ones aren't that short either. I don't know if you've tried them on, but they just go about 1"- 1 1/2" above the knee, not ideal, but I can deal with it.
posted by unexpected at 6:19 AM on June 5, 2007

I was about to say JC Penny. I saw there this past weekend madras-pattern shorts. I also got two pair of plain shorts for my husband - the brand is Arizona - and they are a little long for him; he wears about a 32, so I'd guess they'd be the right length for you. Basically, you just want to take a tape measure, and find any shorts, even ugly ones, that are the right length for you. Measure that (probably 11.5 or 12 inches, I'd guess) and then take your tape measure with you to the store. Some places (like Old Navy) will sell them as "long" and give the measurement (I think for them it's 11.5), but the tape measure is your friend.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:39 AM on June 5, 2007

Best answer: 6'5", 40x34, here. I just got some rockin' plaid long shorts at Target.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:31 AM on June 5, 2007

Sorry about posting those. I might have read your post while asleep.
posted by Hey, Cupcake! at 7:36 AM on June 5, 2007

Best answer: I wear the same size pants as you do (36/38 x 34/36). I have had luck with Old Navy shorts as well as off-brand shorts from the young men's department at Kohl's, which you can order online if there isn't one near you. Have you tried Target? Last time I was in there, they had a bunch of nice looking khaki shorts for pretty cheap and they generally get pretty good reviews in terms of quality, whereas Old Navy clothes generally last me a year or so and then are worn out. I have also had some Polo brand shorts that were a good length and lasted a while, but were pretty pricey.

Please, if you find some new source of good length shorts, let us know here via a follow up posting. I need to do some summer shopping!
posted by jtfowl0 at 7:36 AM on June 5, 2007

I'm seconding Eddie Bauer. I'm roughly your size and never have trouble finding things that fit. Most of my wardrobe is from there, actually.
posted by pmbuko at 7:38 AM on June 5, 2007

I was going to suggest Lands End myself. Although they carry some of the line at Sears, as a person at the other end of the height spectrum I can tell you that Sears does not really carry the "odd" sizes (for example LE has 5 jean inseams for women ranging from 26" to 36" but I think they only carry 2 or 3 at Sears). If you like, go ahead and try on pants there to see if the cut is comfortable, but for anything remotely unusual you will need to order.
posted by ilsa at 7:52 AM on June 5, 2007

Kneeshorts.com
posted by blue_beetle at 8:06 AM on June 5, 2007

I'm your same dimensions, and would definitely second kneeshorts.com
posted by rossmik at 8:12 AM on June 5, 2007

Google for "long shorts"
posted by IvyMike at 9:04 AM on June 5, 2007

Go to drjays.com. Their stuff is more urban/hip-hop so shorts tend to be longer/baggier anyways.
posted by b_thinky at 10:03 AM on June 5, 2007

If you want something cool, longer than half-thigh, and in bright plaid, have you ever considered a kilt? They are incredibly striking and sexy on a big man and available in varied lengths.
posted by Cricket at 10:36 AM on June 5, 2007

I'll second mullac--take a look at surf companies like Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Hurley, O'Neil etc.

I am the same size as you and I grew up in SoCal, so I lived in shorts. While styles certainly fluctuate, these companies usually have something in a basic cargo short, or cord short that is long (at least 10" inseam")--but not show your ass crack long or too baggy (though I'm sure they have those too).

They can be expensive compared to old navy or some other places, but I've found them to be durable and long lasting. It helps to hit up after summer sales as well...
posted by shakobe at 12:45 PM on June 5, 2007

Board shorts are hereby heartedly nth'ed. I also nuy climbing shorts and similar from mec though I believe the american equivilant might be rei
posted by mce at 1:59 PM on June 5, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, all. I just got back from Target, and am now the proud owner of 2 new pairs of shorts.
posted by rossination at 9:26 PM on June 5, 2007