The 1970’s was known for the rise of disco, the famous bell-bottoms, and colorful fashion choices. You’ve heard of it from the movies you watched or the stories from your parents and grandparents. But, what stood out the most in the 1970’s was their distinct sense of style.
You might have seen your grandparents were oversized glasses, colorful shirts, and bizarre haircuts. Or maybe you found a photo of your dad wearing some painfully tiny shorts. It was terrible and hilarious at the same time — and it makes you wonder what on earth men were thinking.
Here are 52 photos of men wearing the tiniest garments ever approved for adult men.
1. Get your sweat on in your jorts
There’s nothing more fun than jogging while wearing a pair of jean shorts so tiny, they might as well be denim underwear. But they do allow for a lot of flexibility.
2. Someone get them some sunscreen
These California rock climbers from the 70s are colorful in more ways than one. Not only are their shorts vibrant, but these guys are also sunburned from the long hours in the California sun. Sunscreen wasn’t yet widely used.
3. Painting a car in shorts and sandals
We’ll never know the full story behind this picture of a guy repainting a car in the middle of the street. But whatever his backstory, he certainly did it in style.
4. “Strike a pose, fellas”
Look at these handsome studs, showing off their newest line of shorts. Or…bathing suits? Or underwear? Wait, what are these articles of clothing supposed to be?
5. Even the athletic shorts were mini
You definitely wouldn’t see a sight like this on a sports team today. These days, we wear a bit more clothing when we play games together — and our shorts are a bit longer.
6. Australian cops in casual wear
These days, you’re unlikely to see a police officer in Bermuda shorts. But back in Australia during the 1970s, it was a real possibility. They certainly look, um, comfortable.
7. Whose shorts are shorter?
One Redditor posted this picture of their father and his girlfriend in the mid-1970s. You might have to squint to figure out whose shorts offer the most coverage.
8. Shirts were optional in the 70s
I wasn’t alive in the 1970s, but my conclusion is that clothes were pretty much optional for the entire decade. Was there an international shirt shortage going on or something?
9. Dad doesn’t skip leg day
When one Redditor shared this photo of their father golfing in the 1970s, people were in awe of his muscular legs. Of course, the short shorts showed them off.
10. No shirt, no shoes, just shorts
Looking at pictures from the 1970s, you might wonder if people wore clothes during that entire decade. It seems as though every photo is of someone in short shorts with no shoes or shirt.
11. Do those even qualify as shorts?
Looking at these two, you have to ask yourself: when do shorts become underwear? Theirs are so tiny they may as well be denim tighty-whities.
12. I see your shorts and raise you male onesies
Did you think the 2010s invented male rompers? You’d be sadly mistaken. Way back in the 1970s, men were rocking these monstrosities everywhere — even the beach.
It might be hard to believe your parents were ever cool. Unless you’re this guy’s kid, of course. They shared a photo of their dad beside his Mustang with him sporting an afro and some cut-offs.
Looking at this photo of one Redditor’s father from the 1970s, my first thought is he could kick my butt. Frankly, I don’t even know how he managed to squeeze into those tiny shorts.
15. Just look at that car
Here’s another photo you can recognize on sight as being from the 1970s. The mustache, sunglasses, car, hair, and short shorts are all as 70s as disco music.
16. Just a quick cig after a game
Ah, the 70s, when athletes still smoked before and after hitting the field. It seems like smoking in those tiny shorts might be a recipe for disaster, but what do I know?
17. No, he’s not marooned on a desert island
This guy’s tiny cut-off shorts and lack of shirt (not to mention the facial hair) give the impression that he’s stranded on a desert island awaiting rescue. But no, this is just a normal day.
18. Did real shorts exist, or just cut-offs?
You’ll see some men from the 70s wearing real shorts but cut-offs were super trendy. I don’t know why anyone thought they looked good, but man they were popular.
19. When you don’t have shorts, grab your scissors
It seems shorts caught on as the decade progressed, but for some people, cut-offs were the way to go. If you didn’t have shorts, you just made your own.
20. Grab your shorts and your knee socks
What’s better than a pair of short shorts? Short shorts worn with knee socks, of course. You want to make sure your shins are nice and warm while the rest of you is nice and cool.
21. I guess this was cool back then
Back in 1978, the height of cool was a long-haired dude with tiny shorts and knee socks. Oh, of course, he also had a handlebar mustache and a groovy car.
22. These cool skateboarders knew what was up
In the 1970s, no one cared about this safety business. If you wanted to skateboard in short shorts and get road rash over your entire body, that was your business.
I have so many questions about this photo, but let’s focus on the shorts. Was it just a style in the 1970s to look like a shipwrecked pirate? What’s up with the guy in the bellbottoms?
24. No bicycles, but nudity is okay
Okay, he’s not exactly nude, but he is wearing a lot less clothing than most people do nowadays. Even though he’s dressed for the beach, he still has those high socks on.
25. The pirate hat is a nice touch
I don’t know what’s going on here, and I’m not sure that I should ask. All I know is there’s a big group of people in the woods who don’t require shirts but they do enjoy whimsical hats.
26. Three men and only one’s wearing pants
These guys are stopping for a quick candid photo among friends — and we do mean candid. They posed just as they were, tiny shorts and all.
27. Just regular hiking attire
When you go on a hike in the woods, you probably want to wear clothes that are loose and comfortable, right? Not this guy. He’ll be hiking in his jean shorts.
28. Who needs a basket when you have a cockatoo?
I don’t know what the story of the cockatoo on the bike is, and unfortunately, I’ll never know. But it’s funny how proper bike attire in the 70s meant short shorts and no helmet.
29. Always exercise in your corduroys
In the 70s, exercise clothing hadn’t caught on quite yet. So, with the rise in fitness classes, people wore whatever they had. For some, the best choice was a pair of thick corduroy shorts.
30. A ride with Dad, pants optional
I’m sure this kid has many fond memories of riding around with their dad. Of course, they might look back on these pictures and wonder why Dad never wore pants.
31. The socks tie the whole outfit together
For the 1970s, these shorts are pretty long. You might even see similar styles in this day and age. But those socks stand out…in a very not-good way.
32. Dad, put some pants on
Have you ever looked at pictures of your parents back in the day and wondered what on earth they were wearing? I think we’ll call this picture “Exhibit A.”
33. Like father, like son
While this is a sweet picture, I can’t help but notice the similarities in their dress. There’s not a lot of difference between a pair of jean shorts and a diaper.
34. He knows how to accessorize
The people of the 1970s knew how to make a statement even while wearing very little clothing. Just take this guy who knows how to strut his stuff in short shorts and an oversized belt.
35. How to relax, 70s style
What did people do for fun back in the day before computers, cell phones, and Uber? It seems as though they threw on their cut-offs and played the saxophone on their front steps.
Are denim shorts the most comfortable thing to wear to the beach? Looking at these photos, I’m beginning to doubt men’s bathing suits existed in the 1970s.
37. I can hear his shorts
The 70s had some terrible fashion trends, including vinyl shorts. These, as you can imagine, were sticky and uncomfortable — and incredibly loud.
This guy managed to be over-the-top stylish with only three items of clothing. He’s wearing a headband, a pair of killer boots, and of course, his faithful short shorts.
39. Just look at these studs
Imagine knocking on someone’s door and being greeted by these two men. One’s wearing high-waisted folded shorts and an undershirt, the other is in a full onesie. What’s happening?
40. Those plastic shorts made a lot of noise
That’s right — back in the 70s, you could find shorts made of plastic. They weren’t very comfortable and they made a lot of noise. But on the bright side, they were so shiny.
41. Dad put on some pants
This Redditor’s dad was showing off his new car — and his legs — with pride. What better way to brag about both than lounging with a beer in a pair of jean shorts?
42. Can anyone say “jorts”?
Clearly, style runs in this family. These two brothers are rocking their jean shorts and sunglasses. No doubt their kids get a chuckle out of this photo.
43. That is…a huge doobie
Is there any photo that screams “the 70s” more than this guy captured in short shorts while smoking a joint in Jamaica? You didn’t have to tell me when this took place.
44. I’m getting some Tobias Fünke vibes
One Redditor shared this photo of his dad posing in a pair of cut-offs while standing by his truck. Is it just me or does he look like he’s representing the never-nude community?
45. Booty shorts and karaoke
Life was simpler back in the 70s. If you wanted to have a good time, you threw on a pair of booty shorts and hightailed it to a party to enjoy some live singing.
This guy’s shirt proclaims he’s a streaker, but on this day, he at least put on some clothes. Well, just barely. With the crop top, the short shorts, and the socks, he has just enough coverage to be decent.
47. “What say we hit some tennis balls in our loincloths?”
Okay, those aren’t quite loincloths, but they’re sure some tiny shorts. I bet there was a lot of accidental flashing going on while on the tennis court.
48. Dad, you’re so embarrassing
There’s no doubt these kids had a good laugh looking back on this photo. They remember when Dad loved to wear tiny shorts — and they thought it was normal.
What’s going on in this photo? I don’t know either. But that’s quite a line-up of tiny shorts seen in all their tiny glory. It’s too much to handle.
50. There’s no doubt what decade this is
Some photos are a bit ambiguous in terms of time setting, but not this one. There’s not a single part of this that doesn’t scream the 70s, from the hair to the shorts.
51. Stylish shorts = happy man
I don’t know about you but this man looks extremely happy with his outfit. He even wants you to take a phot of him.
Who knew turtleneck can looks so cool with a shorts?
