ABSTRACT
The wearing of shorts in public not only by teenagers, but also by many thousands of older females had become a permanent, accepted part of the American landscape. The phenomenon appeared to be the result of the growing informality of suburban living in an age increasingly preoccupied with leisure and play. Short shorts also gained favor due to their comfort and because longer variants tended to emphasize the least attractive part of the legs the knee and calf. While short shorts were worn virtually everywhere in America, some cities evoked ages-old ordinances governing what clothes females could wear in public places. Nearby Westhampton Beach proved closer to mainstream American attitudes in this respect, however, as reflected in the following notice issued by its Board of Trustees: The Village Board has been asked to take action regarding the increasing number of improperly attired people appearing on the streets each summer.
