How to tell the difference between girl & boy shorts

[chellssalesstuff]

I bought a pair of Brooks Brother's seersucker shorts that were sold out of the men's bin at Goodwill.  The size is 16.... they are small, so I know they are not a Women's size 16.  Therefore, I'm assuming they are youth size.  Now I'm trying to figure out if they are girl or boy youth.  Brooks Bros sells both, probably more male.  These are pleated in front.  Seersucker can be masculine or feminine, so I'm not sure how to market these!  Any ideas?

[coffeebean832]

Compare the measurements to the brooks brothers size charts for girls and boys.

Search for the same pair online to see if you can find the gender.

Pleats on kids shorts makes me think girls, but I'm not an expert.

[newerused]

If there is no actual fly that opens there is often a stitched outline representing a fly, thus mens or boys. 

[loveyourimagination49]

Is there a button or snap, if there is, what side is it on?

[adkhighker]

Hmmm, I'm no fashion expert, but I'm guessing that boys shorts would be significantly longer towards the knee than girls shorts. If that's the case, maybe you could tell by comparing the waist to length ratio on most boys shorts as compared to most girls shorts since the waist to length ratio on boys shorts should be quite a bit different than the girls ratio, right? Does anyone else have as much trouble typing the word "length" as I do? I always have to re-type that word several times before I get it right. LOL

[coffeebean832]

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@loveyourimagination49 wrote:
Is there a button or snap, if there is, what side is it on?

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This right here is your answer if the shorts have a fly- even if it's a faux-fly, just stitching, you can see what side the button would be on if there was one.

[city*satins]

There's some Brooks Brothers seersucker shorts currently on sale on eBay, with pleated fronts, and in size 16 too. All are boys.  Why not take a look at them and see whether their design is like the shorts you have?

[femmefan1946]

@coffeebean832

Many women's and girls' pants have flies. Even faux flies.

Men's pants button to the right.

Women's pant button to the left.

My mum, a professional seamstress, explained that men wore their swords on the left and drew them with their right hands. Buttoning flies on the right meant the sword didn't get caught in the fly.

(Personally I think she made it up, but it is colourful enough to help remembering.)

Also-- unisex?

[cherry*fizz]

Is this still the same though?? I mean the buttons on different sides? I thought it was the same with zippers as well? The only reason I asked is because everything I have is women's and lately I have noticed that the zippers on a few and even the buttons on at least one are on different sides than they normally are. All my pants have had the button on the left w/the buttonhole on the right though so maybe that rule is only for that? lol I've thought about this too much. 

[mycarolinavintage]

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@chellssalesstuff wrote:

I bought a pair of Brooks Brother's seersucker shorts that were sold out of the men's bin at Goodwill.  The size is 16.... they are small, so I know they are not a Women's size 16.  Therefore, I'm assuming they are youth size.  Now I'm trying to figure out if they are girl or boy youth.  Brooks Bros sells both, probably more male.  These are pleated in front.  Seersucker can be masculine or feminine, so I'm not sure how to market these!  Any ideas?

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I suggest you check a retail site online and take a peak at the girls shorts vs. boys shorts. I find that to be a quick and easy way to compare. Good luck.

Today I will not judge.

[7606dennis]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

@coffeebean832

Many women's and girls' pants have flies. Even faux flies.

Men's pants button to the right.

Women's pant button to the left.

My mum, a professional seamstress, explained that men wore their swords on the left and drew them with their right hands. Buttoning flies on the right meant the sword didn't get caught in the fly.

(Personally I think she made it up, but it is colourful enough to help remembering.)

Also-- unisex?

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Actually, I believe she was telling you the truth.

[chellssalesstuff]

Great ideas, thanks!

[chellssalesstuff]

Has a zip up fly.

[chellssalesstuff]

Has button and I compared to men's pants and women's pants....they are all on the same side. I was hoping they would be different like button-down tops.

[chellssalesstuff]

I don't have any other shorts like them to do a good comparison. I'm leaning towards girls...but I'm just not sure. I guess I'll measure everything and tell the potential buyers that it could probably be worn by either.