There’s nothing like a pair of shorts that fit you perfectly in all the right places, but it can truly be a journey to find your perfect match. Or you could have a pair that is your favorite despite the fact that it gapes slightly or stretches out by the end of the day. And, yes, jean shorts can be divisive, and although there are pairs that can lead to uncomfortable chafing, there are ones out there that are both comfortable and cute. Trust me! Like any other clothing item, shorts can give you all sorts of grievances, but I’m here to help resolve them. Some issues can be fixed with tailoring and others might require simply getting a longer or stretchier pair. We still have a little over a month of summer left, so there’s time to find your ideal pair.
Here, I’ve rounded up some common problems you might have and exactly how to fix them. There are also styles you can shop right now to help remedy your situation. So now you can wear your shorts all day long—and maybe even into fall—without having any malfunctions. Finally.
Problem #1: They’re super loose by the end of the day.
Yes, they fit great in the morning, but by the end of the day, they’re sagging. No one likes to keep pulling up their pants, people. I usually have to fix this issue by washing and drying them after each wear so they’ll shrink back up, but getting just one wear out of your shorts before throwing them in the laundry is not the best scenario.
Solution: Get shorts with stretch.
Stretchy materials will hold their shape much better than those without. Of course, shorts with or without stretch can still gape at the back, so this isn’t always a guaranteed solution to have your shorts fit perfectly, but the stretch will usually help.
Problem #2: They’re showing off a little more of your *ass-ets* than you’d like.
There’s no worse feeling than shorts fitting across your waist perfectly and then realizing there’s not enough fabric to cover your behind (i.e., your butt is left hanging out in the back). Continually pulling them down every five minutes to try and get more coverage isn’t fun either.
Solution: Opt for longer styles or go up one size and invest in tailoring.
If this happens, you have two options: Find a longer style (mid-length and knee-grazing styles just happen to be trending, btw), or go up a size. If you opt for the latter, the shorts will fit across your butt and then you can get them taken in at the waist by a tailor. But important note: If you love yourself a cheeky pair of shorts, that’s totally fine too!
Problem #3: You’re struggling with annoying thigh-chafing.
When your thighs consistently rub together when walking, some serious redness and discomfort can occur. This can happen with any leg-baring ensemble, but it’s especially common when wearing shorts.
Solution: Wear longer shorts or get yourself some life-changing anti-chafing products.
The most straightforward solution is to wear longer shorts, but that shouldn’t stop you from wearing the style you want! There are plenty of products out there that cut down on friction and prevent or minimize irritation, like softer cotton or silky styles.
Megababe Anti-Chafe Stick
Body Glide Anti-Chafing Stick
TRISLIDE Anti-Chafe Spray
BodyGlide Anti-Chafe Body Balm
Problem #4: They constantly ride up.
If they keep getting scrunched up on one or both sides—or they’re giving you dreaded camel toe—that can be frustrating. This can also cause unnecessary irritation when the material repeatedly rides up and you keep having to pull them back down.
Solution: Go for a looser, more relaxed silhouette or opt for a belted style.
This can happen with any basically any shorts if you’re shifting from standing to sitting, but some can ride up terribly even when you’re just walking around. If they keep getting stuck, you might want to consider a looser style like boyfriend shorts or ones that are more flowy—i.e., they won’t lodge themselves places they have no right to be. Or ones that have a belt or tie will make them more secure on your waist—and less likely to shift around.
Problem #5: The waistband is cutting into your sides.
No one likes bottoms that are too tight around the middle. If they’re digging into your waist, it make things very uncomfy.
Solution: Try out a pair of high-rise shorts.
Choose high-waisted shorts for a smoother silhouette. It’s hard to find a pair of shorts that *aren’t* high-waisted these days, and many styles include stretch for a formfitting, comfortable feel.
Problem #6: They wrinkle like crazy.
You know how it goes: Your shorts are fine when they’re fresh out of the wash and when you’re standing, but then as soon as you sit down, the front goes to sh*t. Wrinkles. Everywhere. Some of the worst offenders are materials like cotton, linen, and rayon.
Solution: Invest in pairs that have a thick, textured fabric or have a bold pattern.
Unfortunately, wrinkles are pretty much unavoidable, but they are less noticeable if you stick to thicker, textured fabrics like lace, tweed, or denim. Patterns help mask wrinkles too.
Problem #7: Everyone can see your underwear and/or underwear lines.
Lighting is everything, and sometimes when you’re getting dressed in your dimly lit apartment in the morning, you might not notice that your underwear is showing—until you’re in public. Been there, girl. Or even if your bottoms aren’t see-through, they might be showing major VPL (that’s visible panty lines, FYI).
Solution: Neutral-colored, laser-cut, seamless underwear will be your best friend.
The next time you’re shopping for light-colored anything, keep in mind that transparency is often a combination of thinner fabrics and a tighter fit. The more formfitting something is, the thicker you want the fabric to be to keep it from becoming see-through. That said, laser-cut underwear that matches your skin tone will help your shorts seem less transparent than they really are. And seamless styles will take care of the whole VPL thing.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
