Althouse: "Entering September -- short pants strictly prohibited."

September 7, 2008

"Entering September -- short pants strictly prohibited."

Please obey the law.

37 comments:

Beth said...: For Yankees, maybe. Here in the South it's still summer.; 9/7/08, 11:05 AM
Bob said...: Ever expressed an opinion on kilts or plus-fours, Ann?; 9/7/08, 11:05 AM
Einfahrt said...: As long as the golf season is still here, and the temps are above 80, my cuffs will be above my knee - at least on the course . . . well, and the bar afterwards . . . and dinner on the patio . . . and the store on the way home . . .

(nto John Lynch); 9/7/08, 11:05 AM
David said...: Exactly why Barack plays hoops in sweats.; 9/7/08, 11:10 AM
bleeper said...: No. Hands off my body! I am pro-choice when it comes to pants. Long pants lead to death when working outside in this heat.

My legs, my choice!; 9/7/08, 11:13 AM
Meade said...: "Please obey the law."

To live outside the law
you must at least wear underpants.; 9/7/08, 11:14 AM
Meade said...: honest underpants.; 9/7/08, 11:19 AM
EnigmatiCore said...: My inner anarchist forced me into shorts this morning. I will not mindlessly conform!; 9/7/08, 11:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Well, Althouse, I took my annual visit to the golf course yesterday. I couldn't help but think of you and your vortex because I was wearing jeans and jeans were not allowed. (They had no pants in my svelt size, though, so they let me slide.)

Anyway, all over the course on that beautiful day -- bespoiling it, really -- were grown men in pleated khaki shorts.; 9/7/08, 11:22 AM
Anonymous said...: A few years ago I made it until October 27th before I wore pants. I live in northern Mississippi. Althouse's pet peeve about seeing men in shorts is a revealing idiosyncrasy.; 9/7/08, 11:34 AM
Bissage said...: I’ve got nothing to say about shorts.

But one of the most poignant New Yorker cartoons of all time was published about three months ago. This thread seems like a pretty good place to make sure fellow Althousians get to see it before it slips away forever.

LINK.

That was my good deed for the day.

But don’t thank me.

Thank one of the great geniuses of the single panel cartoon, Mr. Jack Ziegler!; 9/7/08, 11:36 AM
bearbee said...: My legs, my choice!

My inner anarchist forced me into shorts this morning. I will not mindlessly conform!

"Servile masses arise, arise"

“Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves

"We shall over come...."

VIVA!; 9/7/08, 11:40 AM
Anonymous said...: The New Yorker cartoon: I don't get it.; 9/7/08, 11:40 AM
reader_iam said...: You'll no doubt be pleased that, coincidentally, I am today engaged in packing away the shorts of summer to make way for fallwear.

Well, actually, I don't think you'll care either way, but still, it's true!; 9/7/08, 11:55 AM
Unknown said...: Dear Ann-

Where you live, the law may apply. But I live overlooking the ocean in So Cal. When you are wrapped up in 7 layers of wool to escape the sub-freezing weather in either Madison or NYC, I will be basking in 70 degree sunshine. To not wear shorts in that kind of weather would be the real crime.; 9/7/08, 11:57 AM
Harwood said...: Are you sure, Ann?; 9/7/08, 12:02 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: While I am not an advocate of men wearing shorts, I do believe in choice. Men should have the right to determine what looks best of their bodies. they should not be held as slaves to fashion by seasons, critics, and government.

It is their legs. I say hands off mens legs.; 9/7/08, 12:08 PM
bleeper said...: Marchon indeed! Vive la France.

Just make sure you do your marchonin' in shorts. Don't be like that guy on the Arc de Triomphe who forgot his pants altogether. Dude - there's a war on - at least grab some boxers or something...; 9/7/08, 12:11 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "When you are wrapped up in 7 layers of wool to escape the sub-freezing weather in either Madison or NYC, I will be basking in 70 degree sunshine. "

Sub-freezing? No one around here feels anything but crisp stimulation at sub-freezing. Some guys will still have on shorts. Have to go to Sub-zero before there's any serious layering going on.

Don't you know vigor in the face of cold is all the rage this year?; 9/7/08, 12:23 PM
Ann Althouse said...: But the failure to exhibit manliness in the face of heat.... that is weak.; 9/7/08, 12:23 PM
Triangle Man said...: Short pants on men is a sign of the decay of our moral fiber. I hope to hear something soon from the candidates on their respective positions regarding shorts.; 9/7/08, 12:38 PM
Eric said...: And here I was, ready to add sport coat and tie to my fashionable shorts. Damn you fascist shorts haters!; 9/7/08, 12:38 PM
bearbee said...: To buckle under the tyranny of the majority is weak.

VIVA Shorts!; 9/7/08, 12:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Sorry, still wearing shorts. Won't give them up until the temps get into the high 50s.

Besides, my wife says I have great legs, so I'm allowed.; 9/7/08, 1:20 PM
Ruth Anne Adams said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/7/08, 2:15 PM
Bob R said...: Shorts are OK for men when
1. Within sight of a body of salt water that is at a temperature suitable for swimming.
2. Within 30 feet of a body of fresh water of a temperature and condition suitable for swimming. (In particular, it's not OK at most places on the UW.)
3. While actually on boat in warm weather.
4. When actually engaged in strenuous physical activity in warm weather.

Males wearing shorts in other situations are known as "boys."; 9/7/08, 3:32 PM
knox said...: Last week I saw a man walking who had *not only* a weird sort of towel-skirt hanging off the front of his shorts like an apron, BUT also one of those hats that has a skirt hanging off the back of it. Talk about something that needs to be prohibited.; 9/7/08, 3:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Males wearing shorts in other situations are known as "boys."

Well, this boy has been wearing shorts to church all summer.

Can't remember the last time I wore "man" pants.

Gotta go, time for my afternoon nappy. :); 9/7/08, 3:43 PM
vbspurs said...: I saw a couple walking down the street yesterday, holding hands. He, unbelievably thin and handsome. She, unbelievably fat and ugly.

His legs were tanned and he looked awesome for a middle-aged man wearing shorts.

But I did catch myself giggling thinking how much Ann would hate that scene.; 9/7/08, 4:52 PM
rhhardin said...: It gladdens my heart that the guy who will end the universe Wednesday is wearing shorts.

You might as well go in comfort.; 9/7/08, 5:26 PM
rhhardin said...: I probably have long pants somewhere but offhand I don't know where.

It's been years since I've worn them.; 9/7/08, 5:27 PM
Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/7/08, 5:31 PM
John Stodder said...: In California, the rule is "Entering December." As I write, I'm not only wearing shorts, but I have a fan on the floor blowing cool air onto my legs.

It's different for those of you who live where it often snows the day after Labor Day. I get why shorts are no good there.; 9/7/08, 6:21 PM
Unknown said...: Black pleated shorts
Yellow & white golf shirt
Naot brand sandals
Sunny and mid-90's Austin weather
Nyah nyah!; 9/7/08, 6:21 PM
Lisa said...: You have got to see this ridiculous short suit on the front page of the NYT. Here's a close up look at the jacket.

It's a sofa converted into some kind of bizarre suit.

Who over the age of 8 wears a short suit?; 9/7/08, 8:47 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Lisa, I did a separate post about that (before reading your comment, but thanks for thinking of me).

Victoria: "I saw a couple walking down the street yesterday, holding hands. He, unbelievably thin and handsome. She, unbelievably fat and ugly."

I'm guessing mother and son or sister and brother.

mcg said..."Black pleated shorts
Yellow & white golf shirt
Naot brand sandals
Sunny and mid-90's Austin weather"

I can't understand why anyone would feel pleased about mid-90s temperatures -- in September, no less. That's terrible. We're happy and crisp here in Wisconsin where the temperature is 64° right now and I look forward to sleeping with the windows wide open as it drops to 51° and the big down comforter is completely cozy and the air is perfectly fresh. You, meanwhile, will probably be running the air conditioner all night in closed up house. I don't see the attraction.; 9/7/08, 9:36 PM
Meade said...: Ruth Anne Adams asks:
Boxers or briefs?

I answer: Clean.; 9/8/08, 11:18 AM