As a skinny guy myself, I know the struggle of trying to find shorts that look good on thin legs. Growing up with skinny legs, there would be times where I would wear sweatpants instead of shorts due to being insecure about my thin calves and ankles.
As I got older, I knew that there had to be shorts out there that look good on skinny legs. Through trying on many different styles and pairs of shorts, I found some that fit nicely and make my legs look bigger.
Should Skinny Men Wear Shorts?
Skinny men can wear shorts and look good. Shorts that look best on skinny guys are styles that are shorter and tighter. These look much better than oversized basketball short styles on men with thin legs. Tighter fitting shorts will make your calves, ankles and legs look bigger.
If you want to improve the look of your legs even more, try biking and doing leg workouts to add muscle and definition to skinny legs and calves.
In this post, I share how skinny people can wear shorts, what shorts make your legs look bigger and what kind of shorts look best on skinny guys.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How Can Skinny People Wear Shorts
If you’re a skinny guy, there are a couple of ways to make your legs look more appealing in shorts. To start, the type of shorts you choose to wear is most important.
Avoid wearing loose fitting shorts, basketball shorts and bulky cargo shorts at all costs. Wearing shorts that fit loosely will create a big contrast, making your legs look even thinner.
Wearing shorts that fit your legs, calves and quads well, will make your legs look bigger instead of thin.
As a skinny guy, it can be hard to put on weight, especially on your legs. Many people struggle with getting bigger legs as they take long to show results. Leg workouts are important and with some consistency, results will come.
Doing leg workouts will make your legs look muscular, stronger and more defined. There are a couple of easy leg workouts that you can do at home such as:
- Leg raises
- Squats
- Wall Sit
- Calf raises
Additionally, running, biking or using a cardio machine is also a great way to make your legs look better in shorts.
Working out your legs will give you more confidence and make your legs look better as a skinny person.
What Kind of Shorts Make Your Legs Look Bigger?
Other than working out, choosing the right style of shorts is the best way to make your legs look bigger. Slim fit shorts that are 7 inch or 9 inches in length will fit great around skinny legs.
7 inch shorts fit a bit above the knees and they have an athletic look. These shorts create the illusion that your legs are big because the shorts will have a bit of a tight fit.
9 inch shorts are bit longer and they will fit around the middle of the knee. Personally, I find my shorts more comfortable when they fit above the knee but these still look good.
The 9 inch slim fit shorts are great for nicer occasions like barbecues or going out for dinner in the summer. Compared to the 7 inch slim fit shorts that are more meant for working out in, playing sports or doing physical activity.
A trick many skinny guys will do is cuff their shorts. This means that they do a little roll around the bottom of their shorts. This can look good but it only works on specific shorts.
What Shorts Are Best for Guys with Skinny Legs?
As a skinny guy, I’ve spent a lot of time looking for shorts that fit me well. When I get shorts I want my calves, quads, and ankles to look strong and not thin.
With that being said, here are the best shorts for guys with skinny legs:
Chubbies Men’s Shorts
Chubbies men’s short shorts are designed for men with skinny legs. The Chubbies shorts come in either 7″ long or 5.5″ long for those who prefer short shorts (which are in style!).
These shorts are not the cheapest, but they do look really good on skinny guys. They have an elastic waistband, making them easy to put on and the chino style which gives them a high end look.
Recommended: Chubbies Men’s 7″ Shorts or Chubbies Men’s 5.5″ Shorts
New Balance Shorts
If you’re looking for some shorts to workout, run or be comfortable in, the New Balance shorts are amazing. I own these and find that they fit really nicely and they’re the best shorts for working out in.
I think these shorts look really good and make my legs look bigger and stronger. These shorts are 7″ long and are meant to fit right above the knees.
Recommended: New Balance Shorts (see price on Amazon)
Fleece Shorts
Fleece shorts are the first style of shorts that I found that made my thin legs look bigger. The fleece material gives off the illusion that your quads and the upper part of your legs are wide.
These shorts are very affordable and are super comfortable. They are 8″ long so they fit around the knee area.
Recommended: Fleece Men’s Shorts (see over 4,500 positive reviews on Amazon)
Related & Popular Posts:
- 15 Best Sneakers for Skinny Guys – Tips & Advice
- Do Girls Like Skinny Guys? 10 Reasons Why Skinny Guys are Attractive
- 9 Ways to Look Bigger for Skinny Guys – Tips from a Skinny Guy
- 10 Best Sweatpants for Skinny Guys (affordable to brand name)
- 37 Genius Style Tips for Skinny Guys to Look More Attractive
- Why Are Men’s Shorts Getting Shorter?
Final Thoughts on Best Shorts for Skinny Guys
If you’re a skinny guy, finding shorts that make your legs look good can be tough. In this post, I share ways to look better in shorts as a skinny guy, how to make your legs look bigger and recommend the best kinds of shorts for skinny guys.
What’s your favorite style of shorts? Please let me know in the comments below.