There’s no reason why plus size women can’t wear plus size shorts during the warm months of the year. Too often I see women walking around in hot weather wearing long pants, and I assume it’s because they’re self conscious about their legs. But there’s no reason for that! Flaunt what you’ve got, and even if you’re still not comfortable, don’t turn that into self conscious and uncomfortable. If you think about it logically, lack of sun on your legs may be one of the reasons that you think they stand out.

If you need to ease into the shorts world, start with a fairly neutral pair of khaki plus size shorts that are of average length. Nothing too long or too short. Make sure they have traditional pockets on the back and don’t taper down the leg. You don’t want them to be tight around the bottom of the leg opening. You can pair these shorts up with almost anything, like a dressy blouse or a tank top and flip flops. You can dress up or down with them. And most importantly, you’ll look great and you’ll be comfortable at the same time.

Be sure and look for material that has some give to it. By that, I mean look for a cotton blend that has some stretchable material weaved into it so that the shorts can more easily move with you. And, as much as it pains me to say it, don’t be afraid of elastic waistbands in some, but not all, of your shorts. I say some because they’re very comfortable and practical and can be easily worn with shirts that cover the waistband up. You won’t always want to wear shirts or blouses that hang out over the top of your shorts, though. There will be situations where you want to tuck a shirt in, and in that case an elastic waistband is not appropriate.

When looking at length, the standard rule is that shorts that fall one inch above your knee are the most flattering. They split the line between too tall and too short, and for most body types, give the best break between the ground and your upper legs. But don’t take that as a hard and fast rule, because the most important aspect is if they look good or not. If they’re an inch too high or an inch too low and they look great, then there’s really not a problem.

Allen Wright is a freelance writer who follows fashion topics at many different levels. Look for more information on plus size designer, plus size dresses and plus size shorts here.

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