Shorts Challenge

I have noticed in recent years that the wearing of shorts seems so much more widespread across the age groups.  I admire the look of a lady looking oh so cool and oh so casual in a nice pair of shorts.  I see them everywhere, especially on holiday.  And I so want to be in their Shorts Gang. 
But I am not a shorts person.  I have a shorts issue. Because I have leg issues. 

To paraphrase Groucho, I wouldn't want to be a member of any Shorts Gang that would have my legs as a member.

 But I just may have inadvertently set myself a personal challenge recently and I'm considering them.  Just considering ...

Here's what I am dealing with.

Greece, 20ish  This photo kicked off my shorts issue.

Short legs.  And big thighs even though I was about 8 stone.  OK, t'was many years ago.

I dared to try shorts again in the early 90s but soon gave up again.  But when I have been out and about surveying shorts recently, I have spotted that all shapes and sizes stroll around in shorts.  And I realise that I, like them, may have just got to the age where I don't care so much about how I look anymore.  I don't so much care that my body doesn't conform to the 20-somethings body image.

What is going to happen if I swan around feeling nicely cool (temperature, not attitude or look!) in a pair of just above the knee shorts?  Are people going to laugh at me?  No, because they won't spend enough time looking at me to see the humour of my shorts look.  They will look at me (if at all), blink, then turn to look at other nicer sights.  How I look in shorts is really my concern alone.  No one else gives a monkey's aunt

So, that's my self-help therapy over. And there are more important things in life to worry over.  So I need to get over it, move on.
Ok, now it's Research Time.  My criteria?

Length: Forget this 6inch optimum inner leg thing that seems to be doing the rounds.   I need some length to my shorts so that they hide most of the cellulite (read flab) and don't ride up on the inner leg (bad experiences with that), 
Fabric: Neutral colour.  Fabric must have elastane, the more the better, and fabric must be substantial enough to again avoid that inner leg action.
Here's my short list (pun definitely intended).

First port of call, Boden.  UK ladies love Boden.  I've never bought from them.

These are perhaps the Boden chinos, details here, that Anna of The Mutton Years likes.  Unfortunately, all that seems to be left is this Jaffa orange shade.  Hmmnn.  Not sure.  Might bring too much attention to awful legs.

So when in doubt, move to the Next site.

These Next chinos come in a more wearable colour, here.




Again from Next, these denim shorts here would perhaps work. 

The Next denims and the chinos would go with anything.
But am I going to be brave enough to take up my own challenge? 
Please drop in for my next instalment, coming soon.


Now tell me ladies, do you wear shorts?  Do you have a particular style that works for you?

A la perchoine.