U.S. male wary of shorts

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 7

U.S. male wary of shorts

< (N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) NEW YORK. Superman wore them and nobody laughed. He leaped around in a red shirt-shorts ensemble with contrasting blue tights and never suffered a giggle or smart-aleck remark. But bring out shorts for the average United States male and he is suddenly cringing with modesty. He is the same man who is all set for a summer of ogling women in hot pants. Since women’s hot pants have been a success, it was only a matter of time before somebody started making them for men. But will United States men wear shorts to the office or to parties in the summer? Some men’s wear designers and fashion experts throw up their hands in horror at the idea. They say it will never go. Stores in New York, San Francisco and some cities in between are buying token numbers of the shorts in sporty denims and suedes and “fun” velvets, foi spring. They will wait and see, but they are doubtful. However, some sportswear manufacturers are poised for action on a .new spring trend. Shorts'make up about 3 pet cent of some spring shipments.

In New York City, department stores and chic boutiques are selling limited numbers now. At parties, a man occasionally turns up in shorts, with his winter-white thighs coated with tanning lotion.

So the legs of more men might be seen soon—the well shaped ones as well as those that are too skinny, or hairy, or knobbly, or fat. Male customers approached the test group of “hotter than hot” shorts at one New York store with furtive curiosity, disbelief, confusion, and, sometimes, defensive interest. “What are these? Red joc-

key shorts?” asked one businessman-type. Another man zeroed in to study a grey velvet pair, after he’d circled three times. “For mowing the grass?” he asked himself softly. There are some signs of promise for any women who would like to man-watch this summer.

One man wore his shorts on a recent cross-country trip and commented, - “You freak everyone out—except in Dallas. They really liked them there.” The New York boutique Saint-Germaine Elysees, has ordered 300 pairs of shorts for April. They will range from $2O to $45. “I have customers who Are ‘in,’” says Mr Alfred, the owner. “Everbody is careful with this. They hope it will work. I have nice legs, but I will not wear the shorts. I’m too old.”

The sporty look is one thing. What about short suits? “Why not? It’s beautiful," says Dimitri of Italy, a custom designer in New York. He already has made up 20 suits with matching shorts for customers. The first order was in late January from a University of Virginia law student. Two stockbrokers have ordered the shorts. Now they are trying to work up the courage to wear them .to work.