Swimming Shorts

The great thing about shorts is the comfort they provide. Made from a variety of materials and styled in a number of lengths, they are appropriate gear for a variety of uses, including sports, walking, climbing, swimming and all around casual wear.

Athletic shorts are used when playing racquetball, working out at the gym, and playing sports. They are generally loose fitting and made of nylon for shape or cotton jersey for breathability. "Bun huggers" are short, tight, and made from spandex and/or nylon. They are worn by girls and young women when playing such sports as volleyball. Their tight fit and ultra short length give the wearer an increased range of motion.

For biking and running, special shorts are made from tight-fitting lycra and spandex to prevent chafing and extra movement. These shorts also make the athlete more aerodynamic, adding to his/her performance.

Today, walking shorts are more for style than for walking. They come down to the knees or right above them. Women wear walking shorts when they want to be casual, without showing too much skin. They are perfect at a casual summer lunch or barbeque and can be worn to do light gardening.

Swim shorts, or trunks, are used by men to swim or sunbathe. They are usually made of nylon or some other quick drying, shape retaining fabric. The length varies from mid-thigh to well below the knees.

Bermuda shorts were not invented in Bermuda. They were designed in London, England, at the turn of the 20th century for British soldiers stationed in tropical and subtropical climates. Today’s Bermuda shorts extend to three inches above the knee, with a three inch, hand sewn hem, to make them hang properly. They come in a variety of colors and light weight fabrics in both pleated and flat fronts.