One reader asks:

“I recently had top surgery and my doctor instructed me to keep my scars out of the sun. Have any suggestion[s] for swimwear that provides water-proof chest coverage but is not a women’s tankini top?”

And another reader asks:

“Last year, I went to Miami with some of my gay guy friends. We went to the beach and then a fancy hotel pool party right after. They looked so stylish at both. But, I looked so stereotypical in a sun-faded black tank and board shorts. What are some alternatives?”

Autostraddle’s Swimsuit Issue has some great recommendations for stylish masculine swimwear options. I completely agree with their editors that rash guards are great for chest coverage for those who desire more water-proofing than what a tank-top provides but who do not want to wear bikini or tankini tops.

RASH GUARD + BOARDSHORT COMBOS

Rash Guards from left to right:
Volcom Round Stone Surf Tee Rash Guard
Volcom El Duble L/S Surf Tee Rash Guard
Level Six Coastal Rash Guard Shirt – UPF 50+, Loose Fit, Short Sleeve
Billabong Eclipse Surf Tee Rash Guard

Shorts from left to right:
O’NEILL Feral Boardshort
TAVIK Tripper Hybrid
VOLCOM Maguro Bonemuda Boardshort
TAVIK Loco Boardshorts

Another tip I liked from Autostraddle’s post: GO VINTAGE!

Marimacho’s Super Boi Swim Brief

You can always add a button-down to any of the boardshorts in the above collage to take them from the beach to poolside for a tailored, preppy look. But, my most fierce gay boy friends take style risks, such as adding some unexpected 70s flare and showing a bit more of the thigh (and they still read as masculine). Try some of these looks that are definitely not your standard tank-top/boardshort combo:

Shirts from left to right:
Mint Sequin Anchor Tank
Hamm’s Vintage Logo Navy Mens Tank Top
RVCA Commander Tank Top
ALTRU USA Tank Top

Shorts from left to right:
Diesel Divine Trunk DXY
Retro 1970′s Swimsuit/Swimwear
Vintage Activa Nineties Swimsuit/Swimwear
BOSS Hugo Boss Krill

If you’re not comfortable wearing only a tank by the poolside, you can certainly wear a lightweight sports bra for extra coverage under these vintage-inspired tops.

Now, to be FULLY prepared, you’ll need to know what to pack so you don’t end up sun poisoned and carrying your towel in a brown paper shopping bag. No worries. We show you how to pack for a beach getaway here.

Does the following pretty much sum up your experiences with shopping for dress shirts?

Sigh. Join the club. Troubleshooting fit issues has been one of dapperQ’s goals since our humble beginnings. Since 2010, we have received countless reader e-mails imploring us to help with finding real solutions to the above listed problems. A few years ago, addressing our readers’ concerns was more challenging, as there were very few designers making menswear to fit female-bodied individuals. Flash forward three years later and we are now finding that the number of designers taking on this task seems to be growing each day. But, when it comes to the button-down, Androgyny, a San Francisco based clothing company specializing in menswear inspired shirts for female bodies, has separated itself from the pack with respect to impeccable style and outstanding quality.

Founder Melissa Millan knows firsthand how difficult it is for dapperQs to find the perfect button-down:

“For years I struggled to find my identity on the racks of mass-market chains. I constantly had trouble finding clothes that not only fit my body but allowed me to feel comfortable and confident. The women’s offerings were always too form fitting and feminine, whereas the men’s offerings were oversized and failed to accommodate my female proportions. I was not alone. Many of my friends and co-workers expressed the same frustration. I didn’t understand why no apparel brand was creating androgynous clothing for androgynous folks like us.”

However, instead of waiting for someone else to come to the rescue, Melissa took action and the Androgyny Signature Shirt was born. “I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I created it.”

What I like most about these shirts are the dapper details that you won’t find at other retailers for the same price. I mean, check out the cuffs alone:

So, yes they look great. But, you’re probably wondering about the fit, about what makes these shirts so different from all the other button-downs. Here are some of Androgyny’s superior fit-fix features:

• “Boob button” to minimize gaping;
• Center box-pleat on back to allow for extra room through the chest and shoulders;
• Slight and SUBTLE hourglass curve to accommodate for womanly curves; and much more.

Androgyny’s Stats:
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*Feature photo on homepage by Tamera Bachelder

Fashion is something so very personal to me. Growing up it was fashion that I felt restricted by, as someone who didn’t feel comfortable being confined to the “girls” or “juniors” sections, I struggled with the image I saw in the mirror. I knew the clothes that I was wearing were what was expected I was passing to a world strict with gender laws. I had more room to play with fashion than I ever could realize as a teenager. I used to see my clothes as a restriction, I saw my hair the same way. Every few weeks I went to the hairdresser and got it “touched up” chemically processed so that it was straight and manageable. Every morning I would plug in my hair straightner, open my dresser drawers and get ready for my day. I felt like I was constantly playing dress up, I wondered if anyone else could realize how awkward I felt, how out of place. But I played the game, even when I came out and was happily dating girls I had not come out in a another aspect of my life. My sexuality had really never been a question to me. I grew up in a very liberal town, with a very liberal family. I dated boys when I was younger, but I knew that it wouldn’t last. By the time I had made it to high school I was out, and had my first girlfriend at the end of my sophomore year. She fit, we fit, but I felt like something in me still did not. That one thing was my gender. Who was I really?

It is amazing what a pair of jeans can do. I had one pair of GAP jeans that were boyfriend cut. They were the only pair of pants that I owned that did not show off my extremely long feminine legs. I could sag them a bit past my hip bones and all of a sudden saw something that I had always felt. I saw myself as more masculine, not as a man per se but all of a sudden I wasn’t a teenage girl. I felt edgy. I did not know then about what it meant to be transgender or gender queer, but with that one pair of jeans I finally felt right. Those lead to me venturing into the mens department for the first time when I entered college. Being 6’1’’ I had always hated shopping, womens clothes are for the most part not meant for such long skinny legs and such big feet. With mens clothes I suddenly wasn’t seeing how big my feet were, or how lanky my legs and arms felt. I asked myself what the hell had taken so long? This fix seemed so easy, it all felt exactly perfectly right, but in truth there was no way that years earlier I would have felt comfortable dressed as a boy. I would have felt like I was in drag, which funny enough is how I felt when I was in girls clothes.

Photo by Charles Tracey

One does not have to be obsessed with fashion to want it to work for them. I think my love affair with clothing actually started because of how much I had hated them for so many years. The minute I realized that I could wear menswear and own it as my own, was the minute I started my love affair.

Photo by Jun Crame

I always hated the word tomboy when I was growing up. It never was said as a compliment, more so as a descriptor for someone who did not fit into one of societies two gender boxes. The editorial fashion world has always played around with androgyny, but I always saw it as fantasy. I never felt like fashion houses were celebrating female masculinity, but instead producing something they felt was daring. Much like with many of the black models you see in fashion who have what I can only peg as a “tribal” look. Most of the highly successful black models are dark, and come from Africa. Which part of me says good for them, good for us, good for society. But then the other part of me knows, that the fashion industry’s obsession with these dark skin beauties is a form of exoticism and can sometimes also seem like fetishism. I do not feel a celebration of the black model, in the same way I did not feel a celebration of the masculine female. The latter is definitely changing. As a black masculine presenting person I do at times struggle with identity. As an aspiring model I have heard out of the mouths of casting agents, and heads of agencies that they just didn’t know what to do with me. Because for better or for worse agencies are still putting people into boxes. Which is why it is so important for both the queer community and racial minorities to take a stand and instead of assimilate; create.

When you are being restricted, it is your biggest opportunity to grow. To exceed expectations and to break molds. When I go out and see queer people dressed exactly how they want, on their terms, presenting to society as an individual who is breaking down walls and destroying the norm, my heart swells. Would it be too Goonie like of me to say something like: This is our time? Well it is. I have never seen so much talent out of a generation then out of the bubbling queers that are coming up. From art, to fashion, to music. We are queering up the mainstream, and it is about damn time.

Photo by Katya Moorman

*This piece was originally written for Dapperfy Productions and published on Queergrub.

About the author:

Ryley Rubin Pogensky (aka Ry) is a New York City MC, author, model, and founder of the blog Queergrub. Ry has been featured on Autostraddle, The Huffington Post, and Newsweek‘s The Daily Beast. Follow Ry and Queergrub on Facebook and Twitter.

Our March He Said/We Said featured our first ever West Coast (Bay Area) edition of He Said/We Said. Not to be outdone, Jack Tar 207, a Portland, Maine based style blog, took on the HS/WS challenge for our annual Pride edition and did not disappoint with their ever-so-handsome interpretations of the J-Crew Spring 2013 menswear collection.

When it comes to queer media, cities like New York and San Francisco tend to hoard the spotlight. But, it is important to celebrate queer culture that is flourishing elsewhere. The Jack Tar 207 collective helped us capture and showcase some of the dapper swag that is being proudly donned outside of these two cities.

HS/WS is the brainchild of its series editor, Anita Dolce Vita. (Read more about HS/WS on the Huffington Post.) Special thanks to Jack Tar 207 and all of the amazing models for donating their time and talent. We are honored that Autostraddle has published additional images from this shoot. For full model bios and outfit details, visit Autostraddle’s edition here.

INSPIRATION

INTERPRETATIONS

From left to right: Lorien Snellings, Tee Tappan, LK Weiss, and Shana Natelson

Jack Tar 207 Stats:
Website
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So, what happens when bow-ties and neckties aren’t your thing? What other options exist when you want to give your collar a bit of dapper flare? That’s the predicament my girl is currently in.

I’m originally from New Mexico, and from what I’ve seen, bolos can get real over-the-top-Santa-Fe-touristy real quick. Hence, it never occurred to me to recommend them as a dapper neckwear option. That is until I fell in love with Raife & Singer’s handcrafted bolo-ties.

Here’s what designer Annie Raife had to say about the inspiration behind the Raife & Singer bolos:

“I started Raife & Singer out of a desire to make accessories for myself that I couldn’t really find elsewhere.  I always buy vintage bolos when I find them in thrift stores, but they tend to be a bit gaudy and over-the-top for everyday wear.  I wanted to create something more wearable; something that you can throw on with a collared shirt or wear like a necklace.  I like to create accessories that are eye-catching and different, but still recognizable and relevant.  I also try to create pieces that appeal to folks across the gender spectrum, and style them in ways that show their versatility.”

These unique ties are a standout from the bow-tie pack. Not to mention that, although they can be dressed up, they are also perfect for a dapper night out to an event where a traditional necktie or bow-tie might read as too “stuffy.” And, let’s not forget that they can be styled feminine, masculine, and anywhere in between.

Rafie & Singer Stats:
Website
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Classic!

Ladies, gentlemen, and the rest of us, I am excited to tell you about the Big Fat Flea: New York City’s largest pop-up plus-size clothing flea market. On one day – and one day only – NYU School of Law is transformed into a magic plus-size clothing extravaganza. $10 at the door gets you in, and the clothing is dirt cheap. I’ve gone previous years and walked away with a full suit for under $40, Polo shirts for $3, ties for $1 – and the selection, friends. The selection.

Those of us who wear bigger sizes – sizes you can’t find in most stores – we know very intimately the extra effort it takes to find things to wear at all, let alone to find a large selection. The magic of the Flea is in its variety, but also in the fact that it is an in-person shopping experience. The Flea is one of the places where I have actively found myself wishing I were larger so I could wear something particularly spectacular.

It’s worth saying that this is a full-contact shopping experience. This is the kind of event that requires bringing a friend, comfortable shoes, and clothing you can get into and out of quickly. The dressing room is usually at least semi-communal – consider this your warning – which can be a lot of fun or a terrifying depending on how you feel about yourself at any given moment. An undershirt and boxers are encouraged if you want to be a little more modest.

Trendy!

The selection tends to run towards the feminine, but as we all were recently reminded, pants are pants. They are actively recruiting donations of masculine clothing; for those of you who have clothes you might want to donate, you can bring them by NYU Law on Saturday between 12pm-8pm or Sunday, the day of the flea, from 10:30am-3pm.

The flea itself is to benefit NOLOSE, a largely queer national body-positivity organization. There are other fleas around the country - the Big Thrifty in Boston, Cupcakes and Muffintops in the Bay Area, and probably (hopefully!) other swaps in other places. If you’d be interested in coordinating your own big fat flea, write to them at bigfatfleamarket@gmail.com – they’ll be happy to help you get started.

Happy shopping!

Piggybacking off our “Dapper on A Dime“, we asked some other dapperQs how they swag on a budget. Here’s what Gabrielle Rivera, Nuyorican writer, poet and filmmaker, had to offer re dressing for less:

Hello queermos,

In a word: shopping sucks. Especially if you don’t have an abundance of monetary fundage and/or the “perfect clothes-fitting body,” shit can get real, quick. I totally get it. For years, my mom and I would have screaming matches/bouts of fuming silence anytime we went clothes shopping for me. Nothing fit cuz I was born round and never blossomed out of my “baby fat.” Every article of clothing made me want to melt into nothingness. Dresses caused vomit to rise in my throat. Men’s clothing didn’t flatter my body. Pointy shoes brought on palpitations. There weren’t any style guides for dapperQs back then.

But I’m grown now, figured out a style for my thick, homolicious on a budget ass. I’ve been asked to share it with you. Let’s start with some shopping basics.  It’s always best to have a sidekick, but if you’re a solo dolo ninja, then that’s cool too. Know what works for your body type, have your stats, and be ready an unforgiving defensive line outside of your home field, i.e. bitchy sales clerks. Put your game face on, memorize your plays and let’s do this.

You’re probably wondering what the hell I’m talking about…they’re just clothes, right? What stats? Memorize plays? What is happening??  Look, the clothes you wear either make you feel triumphant or push you into corners of the bar trying to hide from everyone you think is cooler than you. You need to be armed with the knowledge of your body’s measurements, comfort zones and best colors. It’s like anything else. If clothing is your enemy, study that scumbag until you know its every move.

First Things First

1)     What is your favorite outfit? Figure that out and put that bitch on. Stand in front of a mirror. Twirl, sashay, wop it out, strut, crip walk and/or Dougie in front of your mirror. Ask yourself, “What about this outfit makes me feel so fucking fly?” Take notes on your response because this is what you’ll need to know when you go out into the world to find another fly ass outfit.

2)     What to consider: Fit. Cut. Actual Size. Comfort. Make. Brand name. Price. Longevity. “Hell Yeah” colors. “Hell No” colors. Accessorize like a Motherf*cker.

Start with Denim

Me: I’m 5’2, at any given point somewhere between sizes 8-16, cup size between C & DD, no ass, no patience for or desire to wear high-heeled shoes, and most of the time my funds to go shopping have already gone into my beer drinking and student loan payment. I know this about myself. I know that women’s jeans make me feel kinda strange – like I’m in some 1990s fly-girl video – and men’s jeans, if not the right fit, make me feel like Bob the Builder. I don’t want to feel any of those things.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the best jeans for me are black, short in length, straight legged, with a more relaxed fit in the thigh and a non-elastic waistline. That elastic shit stretches and then it’s like you have jeans with a hula-hoop top, anyway… But since I know what I’m looking for, I also know when to strip off a pair of jeans in a fitting room and move the fuck on. Free yourself for the magic pair just waiting to be found. I discovered mine at Hot Topic.

Yes, goddammit, I said Hot Topic. Listen, I go in there dodge all the raver pacifiers, emo Elmo T-shirts, and jail bait sales chicks, and go straight for their undisturbed pile of black jeans.

Brand: Social Collusion

Price: $30 bucks or less

Durability: I’ve got three pairs and I wear them to death. No annoying rips along the inseam/thigh area. The fading is minimal with good detergent.

Sizing: Men’s. This is where knowing your numbers comes in handy. I’m short so my jeans length needs to be at a 30”, but I’m roundy in the middle so the waist fluctuates from 30” – 38”.

Hot Topic is not the only or the most ideal place to shop, but when you find a place that has what you need, don’t be afraid to suck it up and shop there. Also, armed with the right numbers, you can go into other stores and see if their numbers equal your needs. For me, I know for sure that my denim digits in Hot Topic are NOT AT ALL THE SAME at the GAP, American Eagle, or insert name of fancy hipster boutique here. This will frustrate you, but it is also empowering. Fuck those stores that don’t fit your body.

More Stores:

V.I.M. – if you live in the hood, you know your V.I.M. If you don’t, take a trip to Fordham road in the Bronx or look up their other locations online. They have a wide array of jeans and timberland boots for decent prices. Also, they’ve got killer t-shirts and button downs. But watch out, their shirts are definitely for the large and in charge urban male.

Zumiez – A skater type shop located at a mall or computer screen near you. They’ve got dope shorts and Ts.

*A note on shorts: They look better when they don’t go below the middle of your calf. Better if, at most, an inch above the middle of the calf, especially if you’re short like me. And for a more professional, dapper-gay-boy-chic look, try to keep your length right above the knee.

Dickies – For a comfortable classic fit in pants and shorts, Dickies is always a good place to start. They sell Dickie’s everywhere! And the pockets….

Urban Outfitters – If you’ve got a slimmer waist and smaller hips, then this is a good spot. Cool T-shirts and accessories though.

For more awesome queer information on choosing the right jeans, check out dapperQ’s Jeans 101.

Yeah, so, Gabrielle ain’t playin’ around. Dapper even in the woods at Autostraddle’s A-Camp with Katrina Casino

                                          Let’s talk T-shirts.

If you wear Masculine of Center (gotta love fancy queer phrases) clothing, odds are you have an astounding array of graphic Ts. Let’s cut to the quick on this: many of them probably don’t flatter your bod as well as they should. Tips for finding out if you’re drowning in a t-shirt:

1)     Does the graphic on the font cover the entire area of the T-shirt?

2)     Is the shirt more than 2 sizes too large? (Whether this is on purpose or not isn’t the issue, btw.)

3)     Is the shirt stained or have holes or covered in the filth of last week’s laundry?

Graphic Ts – The design should not overwhelm your entire body, especially for large breasted or round bellied folks. It’s just not the most flattering. I’ve seen pictures of myself in said Ts where I look like a sandwich billboard. All of the things about my body that I think I’m covering up are actually put directly into the forefront. If you need the huge graphic, ease up on the colors or vice versa. If you don’t look good in orange, then having a giant orange on your T-shirt isn’t a good idea, feel me?

*Quick Tips for big breasts in a t-shirt: Make sure you’re wearing the right bra, if you wear bras, that is. If you do the sports bra thing, then you’re good to go for now. For those who wear bras that come with straps and cups, make sure your cup is big enough for your boobs. Extra boob jiggle under a tight t-shirt can be unflattering. I’m guilty of it sometimes and I hate it. Get your breasts measured at a Victoria’s Secret or at a queermo friendly place, like the Bra Whisperer. And, if that’s way too invasive for ya, call one of your bros over, pull out some beer and measuring tape and measure them yourself. Know your size and for the quick bra hit and run, go to a department store like Macy’s or Target. Yeah, you might hate those places, but they’ve got variety in colors, shapes and sizes, and they won’t drain your wallet the way a fancy lingerie boutique might.

Back to Graphic Ts – So now that your boobs look good under your shirt, make sure the shirt fits right. If you’re already a little husky, anything too large is going to make you look and possibly feel even larger. If that’s what you’re going for then do it up and rock that XXXXL Kid Robot T. But if not, try to not go past one size bigger; Try to stick with what fits and still allows you to breathe.

Start Small: Go to fucking Old Navy. Their men’s t-shirts are soft, cheap, and for some reason fit body types like mine perfectly. They don’t all say Old Navy on them, btw. There are hidden cool ones if you look, and, like I said, this is mainly for sizing purposes. If at Old Navy you realize that a Men’s Medium T makes you look like some hot shit, note it, add it to your list. (Remember that at specialty boutiques, sometimes sizes are way smaller.)

Also, let’s even step away from graphic T’s and delve into V-necks, which I feel accentuate most body types quite nicely. V-necks don’t want to steal the attention away from you. Often they comes in basic colors that you can mix and match with multiple outfits.  If you’ve got banging boobs n don’t mind showing them off a little, they’re perfect! If that’s not your deal, throw a tank on underneath and get layered. V.I.M. often has packs of Ralph Lauren V-Necks, 3 for $14.99.

*Cheap Trick: Need something spiffier than a T-shirt but don’t have the cash for something killer at Marimacho? Try the junior male section at T.J. Maxx. First, the junior boys section in almost every store can be fucking amazing when it comes to masculine of center clothing for women, especially if you’re short, round and nerdy. Butm at T.J. Maxx they have 2-in-1 Blue Guru button down/v-neck sweater vests for under $25.99.

You have to be willing to dig, dive and dodge other dykes for good and inexpensive clothing. I’ve found perfectly tailored suits at the Salvation Army, awesome sneakers & cargos at Beacon’s Closet, and sick t-shirts at the damn wretched outdoor malls in anytown USA. Just looking is important, and like I said earlier, it’s always best to have a shopping buddy. A real one, not the person you wanna make sex with, but someone who adores you as a friend and wants you to look your best.

Also, I don’t want to offend anyone’s ethical shopping practices. Maybe bargain basement warehouses or mall-based chains make your angry protest juices tingle. I totally get that. You’re blessed if you have a seamstress/stylist friend that can tailor an entire wardrobe using free-range thread and dye-free cotton. Seriously, I’m jealous. But some of us don’t have access to ethically made clothes or the budget for them. These are just some little tips I’ve picked up that have kept me clothed, feeling good, and far from broke.

Final Cheap Trick: If you and a close friend have a similar body type, raid each others closets, try shit on, and trade.

Last Words: TRY ON EVERYTHING. If it matches your sizes, stats, whatever, try the fucking thing on. It’ll be the one thing you say “Oh hell no, that won’t fit” that makes you look dapper as hell.

Happy Pride! It’s that time of the year again. Your social media is getting flooded with a zillion Pride Month invites. But, where to go, where to go? dapperQ will be recommending our event picks for Pride throughout the month of June. Our first pick: the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice “Party with Pride,” where you can rock your bow-tie, dance, watch amazing performances, AND celebrate pride by supporting LGBTQI activists around the globe. No velvet ropes. No guest-lists. No table reservations. No lines in the heat for Port-a-Potties. Just good times. And, after 9:30pm, admission is based on a sliding scale – no one will be turned away due to lack of funds!!!

Deets:

Performances! Dancing! Food and drinks! Party with Pride is a fantastic way to support fierce LGBTQI activists around the world. Join us this year on Saturday June 15 at the beautiful Gowanus Loft for our annual community celebration.

Saturday June 15, 2013
Gowanus Loft
61 9th Street, Loft C8 | Brooklyn, NY 11215 | Venue is wheelchair accessible.

8 pm–9:30 pm
Tickets $50/$75/$100
Performance by Arooj Aftab! Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvres

Arooj Aftab performing classical Sufi music

9:30 pm–1 am
Tickets $25 in advance. Sliding scale at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds!
Dance with DJ Lynnee Denise!

DJ Lynnee Denise on the turntables

RSVP in advance at www.astraeafoundation.org/party

Can’t attend? RSVP to sponsor a ticket.

]]> http://www.dapperq.com/2013/06/pride-pick-astraeas-party-with-pride/feed/ 0 http://www.dapperq.com/2013/06/wnba-star-brittney-griner-talks-bow-ties-women-b-ball-with-espn/ http://www.dapperq.com/2013/06/wnba-star-brittney-griner-talks-bow-ties-women-b-ball-with-espn/#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:10:55 +0000 Anita Dolce Vita http://www.dapperq.com/?p=16482

Last week, ESPN featured an amazingly inspiring feature on WNBA star Brittney Griner that includes video documenting her response to “the most creative negative comment she has received on social media,” her story about coming into her own, and a slideshow showcasing some of her oh-so-swag dapper style, including these photos:

via ESPN

Griner told ESPN: “When I’m in a dress, it’s like, ‘What am I doing in this?’ I feel trapped, like I’m in shackles and handcuffs and a straitjacket. So I was just like, F— it, I’m going to wear what I want. I caught hell for it, but it felt so good being myself.”

via ESPN

According to ESPN, “When Griner goes shopping, she often looks for clothes in the men’s section. People will say, ‘Hey, you’re in the wrong place.’ But as she explains, ‘It’s what I feel comfortable in. It’s my dress identity.’ She tells a story from when she was younger: ‘I remember my mom doing my laundry, and my dad being like, ‘Whose boxers are these?’ And I said, ‘They’re mine’ [raises hand slowly]. I’ve always been totally out there — just on a limb.’”

via ESPN

For the full story and additional pictures, visit ESPN’s “Owning The Middle” here.

A reader asks:

Summertime calls for shorts and 2013 calls for shorter shorts. I’m a big fan of Chubbie’s Shorts with a 7″ inseam, but the leg opening is as wide as a parachute on me. Any other men’s brands that carry shorter shorts?

Men’s short shorts are indeed back with a vengeance and here to stay.

The dapperQ team also loves Chubbies, as well as their Cargo Embargo (“We at the Cargo Embargo say “NAY!” to Cargo shorts. We embrace thigh liberation for all men.” and motto (“Sky’s out, thighs out.”)

But, not all brands fit every body equally. So, we’ve rounded up some alternatives for you. However, as many of our contributors and readers agree, it doesn’t matter if you get your clothing from the “women’s” or “men’s” section, as long as the clothes achieve your style goals. Fit should be first and foremost. If the shorts could be read as masculine, who cares if some designer wants them sold in the “women’s” section?