<p>I can second the LL Bean Fitness Fleece. I bought a jacket for $30 for the spring / fall hiking seasons and ended up wearing it everywhere, including around the house. I now have two more in the half-zip style ($25) in different colors.</p>
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<p>Theyâve changed the lingo. Look for stuff labeled âmodern fitâ or âcity fitâ.</p>
<p>I am so confused by the various names. I have also seen athletic fit and executive fit on menâs shirts. What do those mean? </p>
<p>(sorry for the hijack.)</p>
<p>âAthletic fitâ means slightly looser, room to move around in the shirt. I have no clue about âexecutive fitâ.</p>
<p>Another thumbs-up for the LLBean Fitness Fleece - I buy the quarter zip with collar (has a random horizontal zip on one of the sleeves - I have 3 or 4 of them - wear them now in the fall over a t-shirt when Iâm out walking, in the house, at night while lounging before bed (in the cool house), as a layer if weâre doing something recreational when itâs really cold outside, etc. Washed a million times and still look good.</p>
<p>They did have some of them on sale for less than $20 not long agoâŠyep, here they are $17.99 [Fitness</a> Fleece Quarter-Zip Pullover: Fleece and Sweatshirts at L.L.Bean](<a href=âL.L.Bean: Page Not Availableâ>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available)</p>
<p>There is also a full zip for $19.99.</p>
<p>The random horizontal zip pocket is perfect for your iPod while outside walking.</p>
<p>Athletic fit means wider across the shoulders, chest, and more space in the arms and arm holes, and tapered in to a narrower waist.</p>
<p>Never heard of executive fit.</p>
<p>Husbands will love me. If any older guy (40+) has tried to buy shorts in the last couple of years, theyâve probably come home shaking their heads in dismay. Everythng is this ultra baggy hip-hop style that hang down below the knee and, by federal law, can only be worn with: </p>
<p>a) a massive hideous tatoo on your neck</p>
<p>b) bling</p>
<p>c) a faded death-metal t-shirt</p>
<p>d) a backwards baseball cap.</p>
<p>Itâs just crazy. What happened to normal shorts, you know, the kind that come down to just above the knee and can be worn for working out, hiking, working in the yard, a trip to the grocery store? Running shorts are OK, but tend to be really skimpy with no pockets. Khaki dress shorts are OK for a trip to the store, but not really ideal for a workout. Everything else has 12 inch inseams and look more like capri pants. Crazy.</p>
<p>So, I finally figured out where normal shorts went. Theyâve all been rebranded as âvolley shortsâ or âwater shortsâ. Just plain shorts in 6 to 8 inch inseams (above the knee), usually with a mesh liner like running shorts, elastic waistband, two side pockets (you know, for people who have car keys and stuff), and often a zippered rear pocket perfect for a wallet (ingenious, what will they think of next?)</p>
<p>These are sold as volleyball shorts or hiking shorts or canoing shorts and are intended for all-around wear, that may or may not include a swim. They look like shorts, not swim trunks.</p>
<p>Nike makes them (The Velocity Volley short). North Face makes them (The Class V short). Everyone makes them and they all charge a ridiculous $35 to $50 for them.</p>
<p>I just found the North Face version for $13 at Campmor. Limited sizes â they may not have all the colors in the most popular sizes, but I snatched up two pair. Sizing runs just a tad on the small side, I think. Donât size up, but definitely donât size down. I wore a pair of these all summer for walking, for workouts, for bike riding, and just general all-around shorts. Just a tad heavier then the ultra-light running shorts, but still lightweight polyester, great for being active. The belt is kind of stupid, but I love the zipper wallet pocket in the back (the Nike version only has cargo pockets). These are the 8 inch inseam version (which is just above the knee for me). They also make a six inch version, which is about as short as I go without looking like âshort-shortsâ):</p>
<p>[The</a> North Face Men"s Belted Class V Trunk, North Face Class V Trunk, Northface Swimwear : Campmor](<a href=âhttp://www.campmor.com/the-north-face-belted-class-v-water-trunk-men-s.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=35798]Theâ>http://www.campmor.com/the-north-face-belted-class-v-water-trunk-men-s.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=35798)</p>
<p>Keep 'em in mind if you husbands donât want to spend the summer in shorts that look like the wardrobe for a gansta hip-hop video.</p>
<p>I buy all my pants (short and long) at Old Navy, and so far I have escaped the âgangsta shortâ phenomenon. Their cargo shorts seem to do the trick for most everyday purposes. Theyâre not ultra-cheap, but like most Old Navy stuff they wear very well.</p>
<p>Where the gansta short problem is most severe is in the realm of workout/fitness shorts. All of the standard athletic shorts have gone to lengths that reach down to mid calf. Itâs just ridiculous. So, if you want an elastic waistband nylon/polyester fitness short, itâs almost impossible to find in a reasonable length. These volleyball and water shorts are just the ticket.</p>
<p>I havenât had any trouble finding workout shorts at either Sports Authority or Dickâs Sporting Goods. They usually have a decent selection of shorts with 7" and 9" inseams, usually either Russell or Champion are reasonably priced.</p>
<p>Target is pretty good with the old stuff in season. I noticed that Nordic-Trac has a line of old-school shorts.</p>
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<p>No, interesteddadâŠthe WIVES who do the clothing shopping will LOVE you. Does anyoneâs husband out there do his own shopping for clothes? Mine doesnât. </p>
<p>Iâm on itâŠwe are big Campmor fans. Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>As a husband who has started clothes shopping, I can tell you that it is incredibly frustrating. Not only are many of the style (like shorts) just completely ridiculous, but theyâve now got eight million different âcutsâ so you have no idea what even fits.</p>
<p>Once you figure out what fits in what brands, the actual shopping (even deal shopping at Marshalls or on-line) isnât too bad. </p>
<p>As a starting point, I would:</p>
<p>a) Go to WalMart and buy a pair of Wrangler relaxed fit jeans and regular fit and slim fit jeans in waist and lengths in the ballpark, bring them home, and try them on in the comfort of your own home to find out the waist, length, and cut that fits best. Take back the rest of them. Now you have a good solid $15 pair of plain jeans and some clue about sorting out all these stupid âcutsâ.</p>
<p>Do the same thing at Kohlâs on the wall of Docker âsignatureâ khakis that are available in (from portly to skinny hipster) Relaxed, Classic, Straight, and Slim. With or without elastic waist expanders. With or without pleats. Again, buy 'em all, find the size, length, and style that fits and take the rest back. No annoying dressing rooms.</p>
<p>Same thing with shirts. I think that places like LL Bean and Lands End are great places for guy shopping, once you get the size issues sorted out. I can now send my family an actual link to a specific clothing item for a Christmas list and say, another one of these in âxâ size would be great. Itâs painless to see the colors and so forth. When I go to Kohlâs, with one of those 20% off coupons, I already know exactly what Iâm going to get (from onlline). If they donât have it, I order it from their in-store kiosk (free shipping to home).</p>
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<p>The Russell and Champion cotton workout shorts are OK â although the Champions are typically NBA long these days. They are lousy for everyday all purpose shorts, though. No pockets, not really dressy enough to wear out in public. The Champion polyester mesh workout shorts are ALL gigantic long these days.</p>
<p>I only wear workout shorts to work out⊠by the time I am done working out I wouldnât want to wear them in public anyway. I only get shorts with pockets.</p>
<p>I have some of these:</p>
<p>[Champion</a> 8.5 Inch Basic Mesh Short Mens - SportsAuthority.com](<a href=âhttp://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1742933&cp=3077569.3079696.2806390.2806423&fbx=0&lmdn=Brand&fbc=1&f=Brand%2F828%2F&fbn=Brand|Champion&parentPage=family]Championâ>http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1742933&cp=3077569.3079696.2806390.2806423&fbx=0&lmdn=Brand&fbc=1&f=Brand%2F828%2F&fbn=Brand|Champion&parentPage=family)</p>
<p>This also comes in a shorter inseam.</p>
<p>I like the longer inseam because it just comes to the top of my knee. Not NBA-length on me, but I am tall. I actually donât like it when guys wear the 70âs NBA type shorts to work out because a) I donât really want to see your hairy legs (or more), and b) it cuts down on the sweat on the machines when you wear longer shorts.</p>
<p>When you get into the 10"+ inseam, I agree those are definitely too long.</p>
<p>Re Lands End/LL Bean: I buy a lot of stuff there as well.</p>
<p>If you get on their email lists, you will get a steady stream of coupons and extra sales offers. Right now, for example, Lands End is doing a fall clearance sale, with the email code you can get another 20% off the clearance price.</p>
<p>The thing I <em>really</em> like about Lands End is the free custom inseam on pants. A 35" inseam fits me best, but virtually everyone makes only 34" and 36" inseams. Itâs a great feature.</p>
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<p>Better yet, make your spouse do all of the shopping and returning since they go shopping anyway ;)</p>
<p>8.5 inch inseam is to the knee on me. A little too long. In stores these days, they mostly stock the even longer ones - 9-inch, 10 inch and super baggy that are just ridiculous.</p>
<p>Thatâs another one of those size things for the husband and the family shopper to nail down. What inseam length on shorts? It makes culling through the racks much quicker. For example, if I see a 10 inseam short, I know to just keep moving on.</p>
<p>I like an all-purpose short because I can wear them for a couple of days while they are clean and then rotate them into workout duty before going into the wash. I also have work-out specific shorts â some running shorts, etc. Those are fine for exercise, but not that great for anything else, IMO.</p>
<p>My D said she was able to get a suite in Las Vegas @ $400 for 2 nights (averaging $200/night). They will have 8 of them sharing the room, so it works out to $50/person. Sheâs very excited as they will be celebrating turning 21. I told her to please be safe and make good choices & Iâm sure she will.</p>
<p>Theyâre trying to decide whether to drive, share a limo or fly to Vegas. :)</p>