In the first month following my big move to New York [1] after college, I learned plenty of vital life lessons the hard way. Don't go to Trader Joe's on a Sunday unless you feel like waiting in an hour-long checkout line. When the subway conductor says "there's another train right behind this one," they're definitely lying just to make people stop cramming into the subway. Avoid Times Square at all costs if you want to maintain your precious sanity. And perhaps most important, always — and I mean always — wear shorts under your skirts and dresses.
After a handful of subway grate wind gusts led me to flash everyone in my vicinity, I decided enough was enough.
I had my inaugural Marilyn Monroe moment right after moving to the Big Apple. A rogue Hudson River breeze came barreling down a city street, taking my flowy skirt [2] captive and offering random passersby a peek at my cheeky undies. Wrapped up in my just-moved-to-NYC fervor, I shrugged it off as a right of passage for city transplants, but after the next handful of subway grate wind gusts led me to flash everyone in my vicinity, I decided enough was enough. It was time to bring these unasked-for peep shows (and the resultant creepy catcalls) to an end.
My solution to this all-too-common struggle was hiding in the racks of Forever 21 [3]. A $4 pair of grey cotton-blend biker shorts [4] caught my eye as I made my way through the crowded store, practically calling out, "Buy me, Victoria! I can save you from flashing your lady bits to random strangers!" Needless to say, I obliged, and nearly three years later, I refuse to leave my apartment in a dress or skirt without slipping on the comfy, form-fitting shorts underneath.
If you, too, are sick of hustling down bustling city streets while holding your skirt down, I suggest investing in a pair of shorts that are tight but still on the comfortable side, and wearing them under any opaque, flowy dresses and skirts rather than sheer or formfitting ones. To makes things easier for you, I've compiled a handful of shoppable options that'll give you peace of mind as you're makin' your way downtown . . . walkin' fast, faces pass, and you're home bound. Shop 'em all below.
This Is My Go-To Pair From Forever 21
Forever 21 Basic Cotton-Blend Bike Shorts [6] ($4)
They Also Come in White
Forever 21 Basic Cotton-Blend Bike Shorts [7] ($4)
And Navy Blue, Too, Among Other Colours
Forever 21 Basic Cotton-Blend Bike Shorts [8] ($4)
H&M Firm Shape Shorts in Black
H&M Firm Shape Shorts in Black [9] ($13)
Free People Seamless Rib Bike Short
Free People Seamless Rib Bike Short [10] ($20)
Halogen Slimming Seamless Shorts
Halogen Slimming Seamless Shorts [11] ($18)
Beach Riot Rib Bike Shorts
Beach Riot Rib Bike Shorts [12] ($66)
Out From Under All Day Bike Short
Out From Under All Day Bike Short [13] ($20)
Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shorts
Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shorts [14] ($18)
Wacoal Body Base Smoothing Shorts
Wacoal Body Base Smoothing Shorts [15] ($28)
Hanro Touch Feeling Stretch-Jersey Boy Shorts
Hanro Touch Feeling Stretch-Jersey Boy Shorts [16] ($45)
Commando Minimalist Boyshorts
Commando Minimalist Boyshorts [17] ($30)
Torrid White Bike Short
Torrid White Bike Short [18] ($14, originally $19)
Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shaping Shorts
Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shaping Shorts [19] ($18)
Free People Movement Prajna Seamless Shorts
Free People Movement Prajna Seamless Shorts [20] ($40)
Amazon Cotton Yoga Shorts
Amazon Cotton Yoga Shorts [21] ($9-14)
H&M Firm Shape Shorts in Beige
H&M Firm Shape Shorts in Beige [22] ($13)