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70s fashion was a turning point in the whole history of trends. With new materials, sewing techniques, and inspirations available, the 70s gave us space dresses, vinyl jumpsuits, various hallucination-inducing patterns, and double denim in men's fashion. Another thing that the decade gave us is short shorts that were often sported not by long-legged ladies but by men.
The men's shorts trend might've had to do with the whole free love vibe of the 70s when strolling around half-naked wasn't so shocking. But, of course, aesthetics is a whole another question, as the hairy legs and a casual butt cheek peek-a-boo from your gym shorts might not seem as pleasing today.
Below, we have compiled the most outrageous examples of this men's fashion trend. In it, you'll find everything from dodgy denim numbers and terribly tight tear-offs to suspiciously skimpy sports shorts for men and lady-killing khaki cut-offs. Oh, and bloke bulges. Lots of bloke bulges. Don't say we didn't warn you!
(h/t: vintage everyday)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Louise Brigance 8 years ago
I don't know who he is, but he was beautiful! Looks a little like JFK jr.
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dick johnson 7 years ago
We Would Much Rather See Short-Shorts On Guys, Than Guys Wearing Boxers (underwear, ugly) (boxers aren't real underwear). There Is Nothing Wrong With A Young, Fit Male Wearing Shorts. What's Next? No Shirt-Less Guys, No Barefoot Guys, No Arms Guys Exposed With Short Sleeves. Let The Shortness Of A Man's Shorts, Be A Personal Choice Of The Man.
dick johnson 7 years ago
Good-Looking Guy! If Ya Wanna See A Good-Looking, Young, Str8 Guy, Google: Noah Hathaway, An American Actor (in Battlestar Galatica, and other movies), And A Former Teen Idol From The 1970's. You Will Love Noah's Confidence!
Cheryl Marian 8 years ago
Gorgeous! That is John Kennedy, Jr. isn't it? Nothing wrong with those shorts at all! Sure a shame what happened to him. :(
RELATED:
#2
Talise Snyder 8 years ago
Really, Angela? Because I was about to comment that everything about this photo is so, so wrong. Funny.
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Rich McCormick 8 years ago
When I hustled the streets back in Florida I dressed just like the bearded guy, minus the skates and got lots of business. Folks have to remember the 70's were what they were. Folks think this is gross or that is gross... well the way some of the chicks dress these days like prostitutes and dudes trying to look as butch as they can... now that's messed up. Be true to yourself and dress the way you want to dress. These folks look like they were having a great day skating around. If you wanna see a "freak show" got to the boardwalk down in LA. That'll shut you up about pics like this! lmao
Marilyn Slater 8 years ago
The bloke with the 'Streaker' T-shirt actually appears to be streaking in his clothes! Eeww!!!
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
That 'stache on the right? Damn, I'm feeling all hot right now, and no, it's not because of the sun. So badass!!!
#3
Hans Christian Brando 1 year ago
If you were pulled over by one of these cops, would you be able to resist laughing (even if it meant a ticket)?
Steve Edwards 7 years ago
It's either Western Australia or Northern Territory from about 1967. It's an HK Holden.
#4
dick johnson 7 years ago
Nice! Long Blond Hair, Man Shorts, And Wearing Men's White Briefs Underwear Underneath His Shorts!
Melissa Moore 8 years ago
I am quite sure this is my husband...in the 80's not 70's....sending to him. It has to be him. Whoa!
dick johnson 7 years ago
Nothing Wrong With These Men's Shorts. If You Don't Like It, Don't Look.
#5
April Szabo 8 years ago
Kinda looks like he stole a teenaged Nicole kidmans bike....
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Chris Kenny 8 years ago
So cool, except for that ridiculous haircut. Love the shirt and shorts.
dick johnson 7 years ago
Well, His Hairstyle May Look "Ridiculous" To You 35 Years Later After He Was Photographed, But Let's See A Pic Of You 35 Years Later Today In 2018, And We Will Be Laughing Our Asses Off At Your Haircut (or your baldness).
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Heather Adair 8 years ago
Look in the 70's , they started the whole "i identify as female " male thingy.
#6
Lana Angel 8 years ago
...which you would never see if he were wearing today's long, baggy saggy abomination. *harumph*
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Wayne Gilmore 8 years ago
SEALs firing of the flight deck of a carrier, those are Issued short by the Navy, one reason you can tell they are SEALs, this weapon is an M60E, only SEAL team sported those in the early and late 70s
Jaclyn 8 years ago
Definitely Hot! With a body like that he can wear whatever he wants! drools
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Mary Moore 8 years ago
Mmmm mmmm mmmm. This guy should never be allowed to wear pants - EVER! Those legs need to be seen.
#7
Erin Zelnio 8 years ago
Oh it was everyone. I've seen pictures of my father in short-shorts that I will never be able to unsee.
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#8
Claire Sylvester 8 years ago
Oh dear, hope he's already had all the children he wants. Don't think he'll be producing any after wearing those tight boys 😂
Charlie Anderson 4 years ago
Actually my urologist told me that this is an old wives tale: that wearing tight pants will somehow make a guy sterile. He told me to actually wear something tight, like a good jock strap and bikini briefs as a part of a treatment for a testicle infection I had to reduce the pain and aid healing. It worked, along with the anti-biotic he prescribed.
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#10
Daniel Sebold 7 years ago
We males looked great in the seventies. Who took it away from us? Manhaters? Homophobes? Feminists? All of the above?
Mark Edwards 7 years ago
Some shorter shorts are back on the market! And its slowly but surely coming back on the scene again. Ive seen some young , middle and old that are wearing them.
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Daniel Sebold 7 years ago
After sixty years of feminist consciousness raising there is no excuse to force this polarized sexism on the whole planet now that only no d**k people can wear real shorts.
#11
Hans Christian Brando 1 year ago
If he kept his hair and didn't have too many of those beers (he looks like the type that gains weight easily), he may still look good dressed like that.
#12
#13
Agnes Jekyll 8 years ago
Ah yes, the days when jean shorts were so tight his balls wore out a soft patch.
Denine S 8 years ago
These guys could have been at my high school. Same shorts, Blue Jays cap and beer in a stubbie.
Rick Lorenz 8 years ago
lol too funny I was in my late teens there im 59 now...if I could only go back best times of my life
#14
Merilyn Horton 8 years ago
Oh yeah, my old crowd. See what I meant about non gym muscles: cute!
Walkus-Andrew Andrea 8 years ago
I'd be interested on what these guys look like today. They'd be...about 55 or so?
#15
dick johnson 7 years ago
YES!! Guys Wearing Short-Shorts! (And, if ya wanna see a hot guy in short-shorts, just Google: Noah Hathaway, a very cool, confident, straight, American actor [in Battlestar Galactica], and a teen idol).
#16
Benicio del Pilitch 8 years ago
your comment is so on point i almost peed myself !
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ispeak catanese 8 years ago
Even in booty shorts, Ralph Lauren will always be cooler than you. He's sporting the George Hamilton Beef Jerky Tan ®
Amy Ferguson 8 years ago
Clearly suffering from TDD-- "Temperature differential disorder". Winter - Summer- I just can't decide!
#17
dick johnson 7 years ago
No Offense To Any Viewers, But Beards And Short-Shorts Are Not A Good Combo.
#18
dick johnson 7 years ago
Thankfully, I Grew-Up In the 1970's When Short-Shorts, Especially On Young People, Were Totally Acceptable, And No Big Deal.
Davinsky Diaz 8 years ago
When you see that men use to wear daisy dukes with middrifts then you start to realize that Romphims weren't that far behind hahahaha
Davinsky Diaz 8 years ago
When you see that men use to wear daisy dukes with middrifts then you start to realize that Romphims weren't that far behind hahahaha
#19
Nancy Hall 8 years ago
I also think the child is Andre Agassi. His characteristic Persian eyebrows are covered by his bangs, in this photo; but there are some photos of him with his father in which he looks just like this, with the same haircut, and even the same little tennis togs. andre-gass...78de19.jpg 
#20
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Alle hetero mannen droegen deze korte shorts en dat was heel normaal ! Sins het "beestje" een naam heeft ala 2021 mag dat niet meer !! Domme 2000 age !
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Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Je bent zeker zo'n jonge millennial, die niets weet van de gouden jaren 70 nog geen last had van de islam.
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Dina Cutillas 8 years ago
yeah he was nick in bold and the beautiful, was in melrose. jack something or other
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#22
dick johnson 7 years ago
I Started Junior High School 7th Grade In 1968, And Talk About The Short-Shorts Us Boys We Were All Required To Wear In 7th, 8th, And 9th Grades Phy. Ed. Gym Classes!! No Wonder At All That I Like Short-Shorts On Younger, Slender Guys!
Lee-Ann Joubert 8 years ago
Have to be honest here, but the shorts look worse on her than on him...
Francie Traschen 8 years ago
she looks great but he needs a diff pair of shorts! i think he borrowed her's
#23
dick johnson 7 years ago
Most People Don't Know This, But African Males Have A High Ratio Of Homosexuality (there is nothing wrong with being gay, or bi). This Is Why African's Compensate By Wearing Really Long Shorts, And Other Physical And Personal Compensations, So People Think That They Are Str8.
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
All men do this since 2000 because they are afraid of being mistaken for gay, especially since Islam reigns in the Netherlands. If only the 70s were back, when everything was still allowed, sigh........
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#24
Jay Ishere 8 years ago
ocean pacific corduroy shorts...ah...I lived life in and out of those...beach, beach and more beach
#25
Brad Markham 8 years ago
Early 80's is when addidas shorts hit along with Birdwells, and the OP cords.
#26
Anthone Sipin 8 years ago
the time when Mississippi flood swept away houses and everyone was still hippy so they all laughed and rode it all the way.
Frank Dana 8 years ago
Everyone was still *high out of their minds. #FixedItForYou
Load More Replies... Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Right in the 90s everyone suddenly had to be cool and shaved and the shorts suddenly became knee-deep. Ridiculous sight those current wide long shorts from the 2000s so that you no longer see firm thighs when playing football, for example.
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#27
Heather Adair 8 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZVCertAHkc&feature=share
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#28
#29
Ray Fridley 6 years ago
Many years ago, I was a fan of cuffed-cutout shorts with a low waist cut. These were manufactures by Nu-Parr of Arizona. Unfortunately, they went out of business and I have not found another maker of this style.Anyone else making them?
#30
#31
Dave Rogers 8 years ago
After Mike left Carol and those six brats, he hit the road for San Fran...
dick johnson 7 years ago
Oh Yeah Dave, You Mean The 1970's Television Comedy Sitcom Show, Called "The Brady Balls", Ahh, I Mean "The Brady Bunch".
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#32
Janet Martin 8 years ago
I don't like the way he's carrying those shoes. I think there's a clue to a cold case file in this picture somewhere.
#33
Chrystal Green 8 years ago
I was just thinking that. Cocaine isn't so popular, I guess.
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#34
Richard Paul Jasper 8 years ago
I think this one is probably from the 50s or early 60s. In the 70s our navels were exposed.
#35
#36
#37
Chief Bear Cloud 8 years ago
Southern Man, better keep your head, don't forget wha........................
Ringo Starkey 8 years ago
A Southern Man don't need him around anyhow........
Load More Replies... dick johnson 7 years ago
Yes! Cut-Offs, And Men's White Briefs Underwear Underneath! That's What All The Str8 Guys Wore Back Then.
Katalin Bartók 8 years ago
A c**p version of mixing up Francesco Yates and the other guy in the "Sugar" video
#38
Lisa Sheff 8 years ago
more the norm in the 70's i would say the short shorts start to become known more in the 80's with the dolphin brand
dick johnson 7 years ago
I'm Thinking The Car Is A 1964 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. I Gotta See The Tail Lights. (Sorry, I got off topic).
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dick johnson 7 years ago
Why The Super Long Socks? To Keep Your Legs Warm In The 80 Degree Heat?
#40
#41
Marjorie Stanislaw 7 years ago
I had that top in 1975. We were very risque in the 70s, after having just moved out of the free love of the 60s. We also spent alot more time outside. Air conditioning wasnt common in homes yet. When Hair premeried on stage in the 1970s, the cast and most of audience took their clothes off at the end. The 80s ushered in "club life" shoulder pads and big hair, and platform shoes.
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#42
#43
dick johnson 7 years ago
I Guess The Ladies Are Sexually Attracted To "Almost Daisy-Dukes" On Guys!
Jeremy Castro 8 years ago
Okay that black haired woman looks like Selena Gomez at first glance. But she actually looks like Mila Kunis.
#44
dick johnson 7 years ago
We Think Slender, Young Guys Look HOT In White Shorts, And White Short-Shorts!
#45
dick johnson 7 years ago
The Green Short-Shorts On The Left, Look Like The World Famous Adidas Short-Shorts!
#47
Courtney Berthelot 8 years ago
Idk why, but when I read this, I laughed so hard I almost snorted water our my nose.
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#48
Ringo Starkey 8 years ago
Honestly somehow it always seems that I'm dreaming of
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#49
Agnes Jekyll 8 years ago
Just looking at their body language, she's not wanted at that party. It's the adult equivalent of the no-girls-allowed tree house
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 8 years ago
"No, thank you madam. We don't need female company right now. Maybe try next door?"
#50
Joe Dad 8 years ago
That trucker cap and glasses.... I can't believe those were "cool" back then... they look so terrible!
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Typically a women's reaction! prudishness the years now .
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Peta Hurley-Hill 8 years ago
Her shorts are the New Zealand flag,His hat is dreadful anywhere. But in Australia in the 70s and 80s we had the men's short tradition of the tiny "Footy"short as well.
#51
Janet Martin 8 years ago
This is the 5th guy that looks just like my cousin Greg! Greg? That you?
#52
#53
Reenie Smith Shaw 8 years ago
Looks like he's gonna take a whiz...cute shorts though...and I do believe they are corduroy.
#54
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
No, in the 90s the shorts got long to the knee. Until now for years still like the current ridiculous football long shorts to the knees and socks just below the knee so that you only see 10 centimeters of bare leg, how prudish these days !!!
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#56
Fire Bird 8 years ago
painting the car right out on the street. Windows are all taped up. I wonder how it turned out?
Orion A. Bennett 2 years ago
the overspray on the car parked in front is going to be a law suit ...
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Rudy Rollmops 1 year ago
OMG! My dad did se same in late 60's and turned his VW Beetle from yellow into a dark green. The spayer gun was an accessory to the vacuum cleaner attached to the air outlet. :-D
Mykull Davidson 8 years ago
I bet the owner of that blue car was just thrilled to see this going on.
Mariann Eperjesi-Simms 8 years ago
Wonder how happy the guy parked in front and in back of them were when they noticed all the paint on their cars.
#57
LaDonna Hulcy 8 years ago
Well I guess you've never seen my husband's legs from behind...this looks EXACTLY like him hair and all. hahahah
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#58
#61
Janice Foster 8 years ago
Check out the text trying to justify this outfit! Hornes, there is NO excuse!!
Griselle Lugo 8 years ago
Aghhhh,..the so ugly chest hair and the horrible mustache!!! Yayks!!
Phillip Marsh 8 years ago
This is from an advertisement done in 1970. It WAS the height of fashion and yes, guys did wear shirts and shorts to the beach.
#62
#63
Peter Iorns 8 years ago
That's tight-short-lymphedema. Not so common these days but number two on the list of male emergency hospital admissions in the 70's. Number one on the list?... Slipped discos.
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Carol Sanders 8 years ago
I was praying that the last photo in this series would be of Bruce Jenner in his super short shorts and the crop top.
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What do you think ?
Wezbie 8 years ago
I honestly don't see why anyone has a problem with it! As a girl, I love short shorts (not the one short enough to show your bum from personal preference) - they feel so freeing and comfortable when its hot out. It is just legs after all! Short shorts for everyone is a win win!
Kira Thesloth 8 years ago
The probelm with short shorts on men is that sonetimes a ball escapes....
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Ildiko S. 8 years ago
Ok, there is obviously something wrong with me, because I just loved these pics!! Short shorts for men again!!!
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 8 years ago
While not everything needs (or should) come back, I really enjoyed seeing all those guys barefoot. It just made those pictures seem like everything is all-right with the world and lent a relaxed atmosphere. Though the Adidas-shorts should have never seen the light of day
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Why ? Those Adidas shiny shorts, were unbelievably SEXY on men with the good legs as I had them and still have them!!
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John Newman 8 years ago
Who is this Iveta idiot writing this article saying "we're glad the 70's are over". Who is we? The 70's were awesome as the photos show, NOT a "funny list of Fashion Fails". It seems everyone else enjoyed looking back on pics like these, so Iveta (whoever you are), go to hell!
Tracey Martens 8 years ago
Loved the fact that so many people were barefoot. It was such a different time - a bit more loving, a bit more innocent. Just a bit.
Huddo's sister 4 years ago
As someone who hate wearing anything on my feet and goes barefoot wherever possible and appropriate, I totally agree.
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Richard Savino 8 years ago
The 70s and early 80s were very "sexy" times. The clothes were tight and form fitting. They complimented the fitness trend. After that America got larger and wider...baggy jeans, board shorts, XL t shirts. It's time for a happy, healthy medium IMO.
Full Name 8 years ago
Clearly this was before McD's, A&W, Wendy's and Carl's Jr were considered the 4 main food groups.
Ollibear Ollibear 8 years ago
im not glad that hot pants for men aren't trendy atm but I'll change that
Wezbie 8 years ago
I honestly don't see why anyone has a problem with it! As a girl, I love short shorts (not the one short enough to show your bum from personal preference) - they feel so freeing and comfortable when its hot out. It is just legs after all! Short shorts for everyone is a win win!
Kira Thesloth 8 years ago
The probelm with short shorts on men is that sonetimes a ball escapes....
Load More Replies... Ildiko S. 8 years ago
Ok, there is obviously something wrong with me, because I just loved these pics!! Short shorts for men again!!!
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 8 years ago
While not everything needs (or should) come back, I really enjoyed seeing all those guys barefoot. It just made those pictures seem like everything is all-right with the world and lent a relaxed atmosphere. Though the Adidas-shorts should have never seen the light of day
Theo van Gorp 4 years ago
Why ? Those Adidas shiny shorts, were unbelievably SEXY on men with the good legs as I had them and still have them!!
Load More Replies... John Newman 8 years ago
Who is this Iveta idiot writing this article saying "we're glad the 70's are over". Who is we? The 70's were awesome as the photos show, NOT a "funny list of Fashion Fails". It seems everyone else enjoyed looking back on pics like these, so Iveta (whoever you are), go to hell!
Tracey Martens 8 years ago
Loved the fact that so many people were barefoot. It was such a different time - a bit more loving, a bit more innocent. Just a bit.
Huddo's sister 4 years ago
As someone who hate wearing anything on my feet and goes barefoot wherever possible and appropriate, I totally agree.
Load More Replies... Richard Savino 8 years ago
The 70s and early 80s were very "sexy" times. The clothes were tight and form fitting. They complimented the fitness trend. After that America got larger and wider...baggy jeans, board shorts, XL t shirts. It's time for a happy, healthy medium IMO.
Full Name 8 years ago
Clearly this was before McD's, A&W, Wendy's and Carl's Jr were considered the 4 main food groups.
Ollibear Ollibear 8 years ago
im not glad that hot pants for men aren't trendy atm but I'll change that
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