Once upon a time, men’s legs were a shameful topic. They were covered by layers of fabric, hidden from the sun and the public’s eyes. In the Victorian era, a photo of bare ankles was considered pornographic and probably could have fetched a lot of money… if OnlyFans had been around at the time. Thankfully, the early 20th century saw the start of a leg revolution.
The spark flew in the sweltering heat of the trenches of World War I, when soldiers cut their trousers into shorts to avoid heatstroke and allow more airflow through their clothing. Thus, the brave calves made their debut. After the war, these liberated limbs entered the world of sports.
In the 1940s, shorts became popular as casual wear. In the 1960s, we had the war, Woodstock and shorts. Shorts became a symbol of rebellion and freedom for young people and marked the cultural change of the time.. Free love and free thighs, seriously.
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The 1970s and 1980s were the golden age of short shorts. Runners and gym-goers wore the thigh-length style leaving little to the imagination – baring thighs and the occasional ball or two. The era was all about performance and aesthetics, with an emphasis on ease of movement and being bold in your fashion choices.
Then in the 1990s came shorts loose enough to help your mom sweep the floor, and cargo shorts with copious pockets became the norm, perfect for carrying all your essentials — if those essentials included your entire Trolls collection, a Palm Pilot, and a bottle of Poppers.
Today, shorts come in all shapes, sizes, and lengths, showcasing the diverse tapestry that covers a man’s legs. So the next time you slip on your favorite pair of shorts, remember you’re not just wearing shorts; you’re making history, one hairy kneecap at a time.
Get ready to have your manly thighs noticed.