1970s and 1980s Jeans Men’s Shorts: Show off Your Thighs

The shorts are short. This is why they are called shorts. But the men and boy’s shorts in the 1970s and 1980s fashion reached a whole new level, we can only say that we are very happy that the 70s are over! The shorts that men and boys wore are huge in the 1970s and 1980s men’s fashion. I mean it metaphorically. In fact, they are the smallest garments ever approved for adult men. It’s scary and funny at the same time it makes you wonder what people are thinking.

The 1970s was the era of liberation, “everything went well”, people put their bodies there and were proud of it. The Woodstock era taught us the freedom to question authority, especially traditional sultry clothing. If you own it, then showing off is the mantra of the 70s and 80s-there are a lot of showing off scenes on the dance floor of the disco era. People are just not afraid of exposing their skin as before, and no one has the opportunity to party like male legs. Long pants are suitable for dads, but also for bankers and businessmen. Fluffy hair and shorts are a popular and perfectly stylish combination.

Old pictures of the 1970s and 1980s Mens Shorts

men doesn’t skip leg day

When a Redditor shared this photo of men playing golf in the 1970s, people were in awe of his muscular legs. Of course, shorts let them show off.

No shirt, no shoes, only shorts

Looking at the pictures from the 1970s, you might be wondering if men wore clothes for the entire decade. It seems that every picture is a picture of men in shorts without shoes or a shirt.

A man put on shorts

The Redditor proudly displayed his new car and legs. Is there a better way to show off both than shopping with a beer in a pair of denim shorts?

Someone gave them some sunscreen

These California men from the 1970s have more than one colorful way. Not only are their shorts energetic, but these guys also got sunburned during their long time in California. Sunscreen is not yet widely used.

The 1970s and 1980s vintage Shorts for icons

Wilt Chamberlain, 1970

NBA icon Wilt Chamberlain is 7’1″ tall, so most shorts are shorts for him. Nowadays, basketball players spend more time on the court.

Muhammad Ali (1974)

Sports legend Muhammad Ali has won almost all the battles he has fought. His style is based on practicality, including comfortable sweatpants, rather than flashy, dazzling fashion interference.

Exercise at the Covent Garden Sports Center in 1978

In the mid to late 20th century, Adidas, Nike, and other brands became infamous, and stadiums everywhere were decorated with shorts and T-shirts.

Dan Marino, 1985

Before Katy Perry or Nike, the only thing that was all the rage was windbreaker materials. In the 1980s, the windbreaker was very popular, it was Dri-Fit at that time.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, 1988

The 1980s was the era of big, thick white socks, usually paired with designer sneakers…no shirts. Today, most gyms or group facilities require shirts.

The classification of The 1970s and 1980s vintage shorts

Athletic Shorts

The 1970s marked the first time that sportswear became a mainstream fashion, thanks in part to the fitness boom that swept the country. Regardless of whether they have a tendency to exercise, they may still wear a few pairs of sports shorts regularly. These are not loose sports shorts today. They are ultra-short garments and usually appear to be on the edge of full exposure. Inspired by basketball legends such as Dr. J and Larry Bird (Larry Bird), these sports shorts are a hot fashion item in the 1970s. In addition to basketball courts, they can be seen on the runway, shopping malls, and beaches.

Cut-Off Jean Shorts

Daisy Duke style cutout denim shorts are sexy and show up on women, but men and boys are also involved. The ultra-short denim shorts are popular among people in rough, uneven rural villages, but can also be seen among beach bums and skate boys. Although women’s c high-waist denim shorts have withstood the test of time, for men, this style is just a short flash in the pot.

Goodbye thigh

With the end of the 1970s, men’s and boys’ short styles became more modest, gradually dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. But in those short, shining moments…1970s…the shortage of men’s and boys’ shorts is comparable to that of women’s shorts. What we have left are many humorous photos from the 1970s, which comfortably show too much thigh.

Where to buy the 1970s and 1980s vintage men’s Short Shorts

At the flea market, buy the best antique shorts store. The price of a good short is as low as $8, but you should know your size because you may not be able to try them on before buying. If you can’t visit the flea market or want a shopping experience with more than one structure, then you can try these places:

Etsy: There are many sellers and listings on Etsy, but here are some of my favorite retro denim shorts shops.

Detour Vintage: The price in the shop is higher but carefully planned, vintage denim shorts are great.

Store prospects: Although vintage shorts have fewer options, it is very good.

Retro color: specialize in retro denim shorts, but at no charge!

Golden Penny Retro: A highly curated retro denim shorts store.

These clothes are all hand-cut and sewn, perfect tailoring in line with modern fashion, but they are more expensive than other options.

Redo: You will find re-used vintage denim shorts here.

Rose Bowl Flea Market: Provide people with vintage items selected from sellers at the Rose Bowl Flea Market (including vintage shorts) for free.

Urban clothing store: “Urban Renewal” series provides a good choice, shorts’ retro, is to purchase and update.

Tips about 70s men and boys Vintage Shorts

Borrowed from boys: When looking for the best vintage shorts, don’t ignore boy’s jeans. Similarly, fit and washing are the most important, so in addition to women’s jeans, you can find something from boys.

Size: Don’t get into trouble with the dresser size, and pay attention to the size of your vintage shorts. If you are a flea shopping, please try it. If you are shopping online, please follow the size guide and make sure you can return the item. The size of the vintage shorts is much smaller than modern denim shorts. It is expected that 2-4 sizes will be added when buying antiques. When shopping online, always ask for the measured waist size (not the marked size).

Change: The most important thing is to fit and wash. Find a pair that suits you well and can be washed well. You can turn them from tapered jeans into shorts in less than 20 minutes. If the clothes around the thighs are too loose, give them to a good tailor and sew them on.

Whether it’s men’s and boys’ shorts or vintage shorts from the 70s, there are certain rules that must be followed. You must keep a simple attitude towards colors and how they match. You can use colors such as white, navy blue, gray, and beige. If you like the brightest colors, you can use shades of red, green, and yellow. However, it is always easier to match shorts with softer or lighter tones. Then, you must keep the shorts in mind and pay attention to the color (again!) and the cut of the other parts that match the shorts to ensure they are complementary. Finally, the only real problem with retro 70s shorts is that they have no pockets-and because they are really useless!

A guide to 1980s Vintage shorts of the season:

Sizing is very tricky and very different from modern sizing. When we are shopping online or visiting a flea market, what three suggestions can you give us?

1) When you shop in person or online, be sure to know your size. This is the best way to know what works best for you. If you have a sewing tape at home, measure your waist at the smallest point, and at the largest point, if you are at a flea market, you can bring a tape measure to measure the flat size of jeans that you can’t try on. If your waist is 28 inches, look for jeans shorts with a waist of about 14 inches.

Vintage shorts and striped t-shirt

2) Don’t rely on your current size. Current brands usually adopt a strategy called “vanity size”, so that if your waist is 28 inches, the size on the shelf will now be 26 or 27 inches. It tells women that we should be smaller than the actual body. This also caused overall confusion, because every brand has a different size strategy, and this does not solve our real physical problems. It drives me crazy! Me too, girl, me too

3) If you are buying a vintage short model, the label on the back or inside is still clearly visible, look at the waist size. If the size of the jeans you are looking at is 30, then their waist circumference is likely to be 28 inches. The rule of thumb is to calculate the actual size from the marked size of 2 inches. In short, jeans shorts will shrink. I believe many of you have seen the “shrink to fit” on the vintage shorts trademark, which is what it means. When you wash and dry your jeans shorts, they shrink. The classic jean shorts have been worn, washed, and shrunk, so your work is not needed.

According to the standards of the 1970s and the 1980s, what we call “shorts” today is a retreat from the rapid expansion of shorts in the early 20th century. If we are talking about wearing some fashionable shorts, then, guys-it should be shorted.

If you want to learn more about vintage shorts and where are the vintage clothing stores near you, please check below.