Shorts Question--it's not just for American's anymore!

I liked it back in the old days when Rick would just flat out say:
"Especially in southern Europe, no matter how hot it is, grown adults look goofy in shorts." (Rick, 2009 ETBD).

Click here to read how it was in the old days, when shorts were/was a life and death issue:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/anti-shorts-faction-of-i-helpline-i-suffers-unexpected-setback

When I was somewhat younger and lived on Long Island just a 10 mile bike ride from Times Square (not that we EVER went to Times Square) I don't believe I ever saw a man with shorts on in New York.

Shorts, as far as I was concerned were for bicycle riding, long distance running, and going to either Jones Beach on the south shore or Sunken Meadow State Park on the north shore.

Shorts were simply not done for doing anything out in New York. Not for going out anywhere.

Maybe a back yard barbeque or for playing stickball...

I grew up in Brooklyn and still have family and friends that live and work in Manhattan. I go home at least once a year so I am speaking as a visitor. To say that "no one wears shorts". especially visitors sounds a bit off. NYC is one of the highest rank destinations in the world. Try dealing with summer heat in the 90's, humidity at 90% in a subway and you would kill someone for shorts. If you are planning on dining at Le Cirque, Peter Lugers, or any of the Zagat's top 20 - sure, dress for the occasion. For sightseeing around the city, it is totally acceptable to be comfortable.

Nigel - if you lived a 10 mile bike ride from Times Square, you were maybe in Long Island City, but not Long Island.

Here's what must be considered. Do you have the legs for shorts?

New Yorkers visiting southern CA often express exasperation at being judged for the kind of car they drive, rather than what people should be judged for, namely, their clothes and furniture.
Doing what you want to do always leads to anarchy, so it is very important to learn the local customs and then follow them, to be more local than the locals. Slavery to fashion is an empowering kind of slavery. Do as I say and you can be king.

Shorts have been a high-fashion item for women in the past few years, including for fall. If someone is looking down their nose at yours, I'll assume it's just because they're not the "right" shorts.

Bermuda shorts with the right shoes are always stylish for men or women.

I actually own and wear a pair of tuxedo shorts!

Yes, Burmuda shorts. Somewhat formal in that they originated as British military wear. Now the question: Which are more formal, cuffed or uncuffed Burmuda shorts?

Of course the knee-lenght socks are what make them formal wear.

In the Deep South, we only wear long pants to church and to work. It's a matter of comfort with average Summer temperatures of 95+ degrees
When in Italy, I do wear long pants, as chances are we'll be touring a church. Elsewhere, I'd be in shorts in Summer.

But we don't travel to Europe when the temperatures are hottest as we go in April or October.

So, I revisited the TA thread to see if there were any words of wisdom that we could heed hear on the Rick Steves Forum and I rather liked this comment and I think it applies to the Forum as well.

"...dont forget when you ask questions here [TripAdvisor] you are encountering all kinds - I don't ask my mother for fashion advice because I wont like the answer."

Pam

As a born and bred New Yorker, the rules for those living in Manhattan were simple:

No shorts Monday through Friday but they were totally acceptable in summer, on weekends, especially if heading to Central Park. For those who didn't leave the city those days, Central Park was an oasis of green where trees didn't grow out of the cement, bicycles and roller skates could be used without the fear of being run over by a taxi, and those who suffered in the gym the last three seasons could show off their results in the summer.

During the work week, however, shorts were only worn by tourists and children.

As for the other four boroughs, the wearing of shorts is more acceptable as these locales are considered to be more residential. That is, of course, as long as you not only had the legs for it, but they weren't pasty white after a winter in corduroy.

"Especially in southern Europe, no matter how hot it is, grown adults look goofy in shorts."

This is as true now as it was true then. The only difference is people just don't care.

Pam, loved that quote from TA. So true.

And as far as Rick's opinion of what looks goofy... the pot calling the kettle black.

If it's hot, I wear shorts. If I am in Cinque Terre, I wear shorts, and "horrors", flip flops, because I am at the beach. I bought my favorite pair in Vernazza! If it's cool, I wear jeans. I don't really care what people think, I am clean and comfortable, and do not wear offensive clothing. I am on vacation to relax, not to worry about being a fashion statement.