Shorts under the dress and which problems they solve
Short answer: Shorts under a dress solve three things: chafing between the thighs, the dress blowing up, and the feeling of not being covered. Each of the three problems calls for a different model.
Against chafing
Here the leg length is what counts. The leg must reach past where your thighs touch. If the leg is a centimetre too short, they do not work, because the hem rides up and skin rubs against skin again. Try them on and walk around for a few minutes. See bamboo under shorts.
Against the wind
Here coverage counts more than length. A firmer pair or a model with some weight helps keep the dress down, but no shorts can hold a very light dress still in a strong wind. The shorts make it less uncomfortable if the dress does blow up, because there is something underneath. That gives peace of mind on the bike and at the beach.
Against feeling uncovered
Here what matters most is that something is there. A thin pair in a skin tone does the job without showing, and that is often enough to stop you thinking about it. This applies when you sit on a low chair, walk up stairs or sit down on the grass.
The colour
A skin tone close to your own is the most discreet under light dresses. White shows more clearly through light fabric than many expect, because it reflects light. Under dark dresses, black is a safe choice. If you own both kinds of dress, a pair in each colour is the simplest option.
The fit
The shorts should sit close without squeezing. Hems that are too tight show through the dress and can dig into the thigh. Shorts that are too loose ride up and bunch. A wide, soft hem and a waistband that stays up make the difference over a whole day. Check this both standing and sitting.
The fabric
Bamboo viscose is thin, soft and smooth, so the dress glides over the shorts instead of catching. It feels cool on warm days and shows less than thicker fabric. A little elastane keeps the shorts in place, so they do not bag or ride up after a few hours.
The dress itself plays a part
A heavier dress blows up less and chafes less, because the fabric falls closer around the legs. A light dress in thin fabric moves more and asks more of what is underneath. Think of the dress and the shorts as a set. See bamboo dresses and bamboo T-shirt dresses.
Which model for which problem
If chafing is your biggest problem, choose longer under shorts. If it is the wind, choose a firmer fabric and a heavier dress. If it is mostly about feeling covered, a thin pair in a skin tone is enough. Many people have several of these problems at once, and a longer, thin pair is then a good compromise.
Washing and care
Wash the shorts at 30 to 40 degrees and skip fabric softener. Hang them to dry so the elastic in hems and waistband lasts longer. If you wear them every day in summer, it helps to have a few extra pairs so a clean pair is always ready when you put on a dress.
Frequently asked questions
Which colour of under shorts is most discreet?
A skin tone close to your own. White shows more clearly through light fabric than many expect, and black works best under dark dresses.
Can under shorts keep a dress down in the wind?
Only partly. The weight of the dress matters most. The shorts do make it less uncomfortable if the dress blows up anyway.
Should under shorts be tight?
They should sit close without squeezing. Hems that are too tight show through the dress, and shorts that are too loose ride up and bunch during the day.
See our range of bamboo shorts for women.
