Apart for a few wet days in the last week, the weather in recent weeks here in the UK has been relatively warm and sunny, and it looks as if it's getting better again today. One thing I've noticed, though, is that despite this sunshine, not one of the boys around the area where we live seems keen to remove his shirt. The girls are all out in as little as they can get away with - short shorts, bare navels and strappy tops - but the boys seem desperate to stay swathed in baggy trousers, long-sleeved tops, even hoodies! When I was a kid, boys generally went topless in hot weather while we girls sweltered and were envious of their freedom. Not any more apparently. If you're a teenage boy and wear shorts or go shirtless, you're regarded as something of a curiosity, or worse. It's sad...

You're right. It's sad.

Teens are probably the most fashion conscious age group. It's a time when kids are desparate to look like their friends, or like the in-crowd. At the locker room of our health club yesterday a 12 or 13 year old boy came in from the swimming pool. He was wearing baggy pants that reached to midway on his calves. Those wet pants had to weigh several pounds.

Body shame no doubt is part of it. It used to be such a natural thing for boys to be nude together in the gym showers, when swimming in out of the way places, etc. that it was just natural to wear shorter shorts and no shirts in hot weather.

Trends come and go in cycles. Now short hair is popular again, and I notice that the NBA basketball players are wearing their shorts slightly shorter and considerably less baggy these days.

But will boys join the girls in wearing as little as possible? We'll find out eventually.

I went moseying around Walmart again. My short shorts that I wear all summer are getting a little long in the tooth. One time I moseyed over to the Men's department in Walmart and thought that maybe the trail shorts would be good. No, only shorts I found that weren't about 2" longer than the ones I wear are what are called "sleep shorts". They have weenie holes out the front. Can't imagine why they do. It's safer to wee wee sitting down in the dark at night. Otherwise, men'll be making puddles all around the commode. Why have special clothes for bed, too?

Guess I'll have to go looking at some other stores. Some of the gals walking around UVa have some nice short shorts. Wonder where they got them and whether the mens' are the same length.

Ralph
The naked gardener
God's original intent

I've been noticing that too! I got a pair of "jean" shorts that are longer than I like (and it's still above my knees!) and they feel like a ton! And that's dry! I don't see how these guys can go around in this hot weather looking like they are freezing! Maybe they need some iron in their blood!

I do see some guys without shirts, but they are at least 25 or above.

It's funny how they want to be "individual" yet not get caught without the styles of their peers!

And I still can't figure out how they keep their heavy jeans from falling all the way down after they drop them down past their......

Boyd "Clothing is too much of a bother" Allen

-- Speaking of which, we got to go to the laundry. oh bother

Boyd, I have told my daughters "never be afraid to slug someone who has to hold his pants up with one hand". If he drops them he can't run with pants around his feet and if he doesn't he can't run and hold them up. I saw a guy walking a dog the other day holding up his pants. Funniest thing since Ringling!
Bearone

I once watched three youth at church try to play basketball while wearing those baggy shorts that were belted around their... well, you know.

I was one of the funniest things I have ever seen: running the court using one hand to dribble the ball, the other to hold up their pants. Then one went for a lay-up, and had to switch hands...

Oh, to be young again. Wait. I'm only 34. Is that young or old?

K