Dolphin Shorts: Then and Now

Dolphin shorts are enjoying a major resurgence in popularity, which started in small gym circles around 2006 to 2007.  These shorts are known for being particularly short, and were even advertised when they first came out as allowing women to "show every inch of leg."  The original design came out in 1979 and was extremely popular for gym shorts and swimming.  They are almost always one solid color, and the modern versions are just like the original in that well over a dozen solid colors are available for each design.

Many Dolphin shorts feature draw strings on the front and some designs have a bright white trim around the edges that contrast nicely with whatever bulk color the actual short Dolphin shorts themselves are.  These shorts were extremely popular in 1979 and 1980 and even became very commonly used as part of a track uniform for both men and women because of the freedom of motion they allowed to the legs.  The most recent comeback may have started five years ago, but 2011 is seeing them really jump from local pockets to general fashion scene once again.

There's no reason you can't look good while working out!

There is some discussion about the history of Dolphin Shorts, also sometimes referred to as Dolfin Shorts, that not everyone agrees upon.  Because of these uncertainties this is not mean to be a fully comprehensive list but simply a general timeline of how they came about as a major style the first time - and then how they came back into the picture yet again several decades later.

1970's: Precursor to the first specific Dolphin shorts design put out by the Dolfin company.  This company specialized in sportswear.

1979-1980: The first actual design of Dolphin shorts was released in California and caught on rapidly, soon appearing as a normal staple of high school and college sports.

1982: Many knock offs flooded the market, going away from the simple design of regular Dolphin shorts by introducing a variety of multi-colored designs.

1983-1984: The style started to fade on the national stage, but many high schools and colleges adopted them as a natural part of high school uniforms.

1985: By this time the Dolphin Shorts were all but done as many high schools passed dress codes not allowing them.  This pretty much guaranteed that these shorts would be going out the door.

2006-present day: The shorts made a comeback in limited gym circles and have since exploded in popularity once again in the mainstream - especially around 2010 and on.