I wear short shorts! I wear them at home when it’s crazy hot (which at the moment is all the damn time), I wear them when I do yoga, and I wear them for physio sessions. You might be thinking, “Now hang on a minute, I read Meagan’s blog all the time, and I’ve never seen her in shorts.” And you’d be right – because I have always felt weird about wearing shorts in public.
I know this isn’t particularly logical, especially given how comfortable I feel wearing swimsuits and sharing photos of myself in my underwear, but it’s something that’s been with me ever since I was at school.
When I was at school, we had to wear a PE uniform when we did physical education. I think that’s probably the last time I wore shorts in public, and even then I hated them. They were ill-fitting, uncomfortable and looked awful on me. As a teenager with body issues, I’m pretty sure this is around the time my hatred of shorts began. To be honest, it was more to do with my body issues than anything else, and that’s something that carried over all the way into my 30’s.
A little bit nervous about showing off my shorts.
I’m very much a work in progress, and when I become conscious of a perceived issue with my body I want to do everything I can to work my way through it. When 17 Sundays released their 2013 Resort Lookbook in October 2013, I spied these drawstring boyfriend shorts and decided they were exactly what I needed. I was really hesitant to buy them online as I’ve had so many failed online shopping experiences when it comes to buying pants, so I emailed the 17 Sundays team to check the measurements of the leg holes (I’m really not keen about things being tight fitting on my thighs unless I’m wearing jeans or leggings). Once they had confirmed that the fit was very relaxed and the measurements would fit my legs, I bought the shorts.
I tried them on when they arrived and they fit perfectly (with more than ample room for my legs), but it took a long time before I wore them. When I finally put them on to wear around the house, I loved them so much that I had to buy a second pair! I’m glad I did, because I don’t think you can get them anymore. I’ve been wearing them at home a lot over summer (similar to the advice I gave about wearing bathing suits and getting used to how your body feels in them), and now I’m ready to wear my shorts in public – and there is nothing more public than the internet, right?
So, how do my bare legs fit in to Aussie Curves Activewear week? Well, this is what I’m wearing to exercise at the moment! I still wear leggings and a singlet with my purple shoes for walking (because no one likes the chafing from bare legs), but I’ve been restricted to only walking 1km every second day at the moment. The bulk of my exercise consists of twice daily strengthening workouts, at the moment focused on my core, legs and shoulders.
What do you like to wear when you exercise?
Meagan wears:
Anchor Tee from Hope & Harvest (gifted)
Drawstring Boyfriend Shorts from 17 Sundays (no longer available)
Nike LunarGlide 6 Flash Shoes from Nike
I haven’t worn shorts since high school. I was sorely tempted by City Chic’s knee length denim short but years of hating on my legs put me off. I am going to buy a pair next year and give it a go.
I hadn’t either! But honestly, I wear these all the freaking time. I need to get some slightly longer ones for better butt coverage.
Go girl! I totally get your dislike of shorts from PE… I think that’s where mine comes from too 😉 Have you tried pilates before? I find it great for strengthening.
Okay, so I like short shorts and I own 2 pairs but only wear them around the house cos they end up riding up in the inner thigh & crutch, does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? Too scared to even try to get some new ones in case they do too!
Ps. 3B Cream IS the BEST ever!
If they’re riding up then they’re the wrong size or cut for you hun! I think that it might be worth trying another pair 🙂
Definitely know about feeling uncomfortable in short shorts. P.E definitely rips your confidence when it comes to body image. Unless you have awesome classmates and a great teacher! Last year I started to build my confidence up after gaining a lot of weight after moving for my final year of high school. I wore my short shorts (nice stretchy sports ones) around the house to get comfortable. It worked because this year I was able to buy a couple of pairs of shorts and wear them out without that uncomfortable feeling! 🙂 Still not entirely there as I still choose skirts over shorts. Nice to have the option though!
Yay, I love that I’m not the only one who wears things around the house to get comfortable in them! I will definitely still pick skirts over shorts, but I think that’s because I like my outfits to be very feminine!
I’ve only just gotten back into shorts in the last few months. I too have had a hate/hate relationship with shorts – especially in school when we had to wear culottes – yikes! But now that’s all I wear! I finally found shorts that fit well and suit me so i know what to look for when I’m shopping.
I’m not huge on short shorts either but the past couple of years I’ve been trying to wear them more as I’ve been told I have nice legs even though I don’t like them!
I have a few different pairs of knee length or three quarter leggings which I usually wear to work out, wearing shorts to run leads to to far too much chafing for my liking. My favourite ones are kind of high waisted which is perfect for doing squats, as no matter how low I go my butt crack is never exposed to the gym.
Absolutely YES to high waisted leggings. Nothing worse than having to fiddle with your clothes to avoid showing butt crack (or cleavage, or half your body because you’re doing a headstand and your t-shirt has fallen over your head).
I love shorts, but probably don’t wear them as often as I should! Mainly it’s because of that bare leg chafing feeling which I find absolutely horrible!!
When exercising I love to wear 3/4 leggings, my new Berlei sports bra and a loose top. We do some intense cardio workouts and I find that this combo is the best! 😀 oxo
Apparently the 3B Action Cream is really good to help with chafing – I haven’t tried it yet but Rachel swears by it! That sounds like a great workout outfit too, although I’m having a devil of a time finding a sports bra that fits 🙁
I love shorts, especially high waisted shorts. I wear them to work with a cute jumper or a blazer. But one time I was wearing shorts and people at work kept calling them hot pants. I was embarrassed and a bit annoyed as they weren’t even “short” shorts. I do not wear hot pants working at the office thank you very much!
I don’t like short skirts because I’m always worried I’ll accidentally flash to the world by sitting cross legged or just bending over and stuff. So shorts are a good alternative. I haven’t gotten into skorts yet though. Maybe that’s my next step.
Are skorts a thing again? Jeez louise, when fashion starts coming around a second (or third) time you know you’re getting old!
I think there is a distinct difference between shorts and hot pants. Hot pants are made of lycra, aren’t they? How rude of your colleagues!
I also figure that hot pants are tight and short! Neither of which can be used to describe my shorts. I work with a lot of older people who don’t see shorts as office attire :/
Woohoo go you gorgeous lady! I feel the same way about shorts, it’s so hard to find some that actually look flattering while being comfortable! I have some in a similar fabric to these ones and I have lived in them (at home and at the beach) this summer. I also got a great denim pair from City Chic in their sale!
You look great! Love the t-shirt as well. I smiled when I saw the Stuff article today about Tess Munster. More great body acceptance media. I have some really good legging type shorts from TS14 I wear to stop ‘chub rub’ when going bare-legged. I’m also really in to ‘hi-low’ tunic dresses as well as the moment – they are a really flattering shape and comfy to wear.
Thanks Anna! I haven’t read the Stuff article, but assume it’s about her getting signed? Such awesome news!
Do you mean the Easy Breezy shorts? I have them too, SO good!
I don’t wear shorts often, because I hate how they bunch in the crotch when walking, but I never shy away from a super mini skirt!
These look great!
<3