I’m a Plus-Size Shopping Writer and Swear by These $16 Shorts for Chafe-Proof Comfort

As a plus-size woman, summer presents a unique challenge for me—how to wear shorts without my thighs chafing. One minute, I’m a breezy, summer siren sipping an Aperol spritz. Hours later, I’m slathering Aquaphor all over my inner thighs thanks to some undesirable skin irritation. While I know the tricks (yes, I’ve put Monistat on my thighs before), sometimes, I just want to slip on a pair of shorts and call it a day. 

Thankfully, I found a pair of breezy, plus-size linen shorts that are ultra-comfy and prevent my thighs from chafing—and they’re just $16 at Target during its Memorial Day sale happening through Monday, May 27. 

Ava & Viv Linen Pull-On Shorts

My Ava & Viv shorts arrived a few months ago, and I liked them so much, I bought two pairs. Since I’ve owned them, I’ve worn them practically nonstop in Atlanta’s already-stifling, humid weather. And every time I’ve donned them, my thighs have been chafe-free thanks to the 5-inch length and breezy linen fabric. 

For me, one of the best ways to prevent chafing is to stop my skin from rubbing, and at 5’8”, these shorts land roughly 2 inches above my knee. They’re short enough to keep me cool when it’s warm out (and getting increasingly warmer), but they’ve got added length that keeps my thighs from rubbing. As a bonus, if you’ve got black leather seats in your car or love eating outdoors in the summer, the length also means you won’t suffer from third-degree burns when you sit down on a hot surface. 

It’s not just the length that I’m a fan of, though. There’s also the flowy linen blend fabric that comes in seven colors including hot pink and neutrals like tan striped. The material isn’t itchy like other pieces I own, and it felt soft immediately out of the shipping bag. While the shorts do have a tendency to wrinkle (as does most linen), I toss mine into the dryer on a medium heat setting for a few minutes, and most of those wrinkles disappear. Because yes, they’re also washer- and dryer-friendly.

The material itself isn’t stretchy, but the elastic waistband certainly is, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Not only can I quite literally slide these shorts on, but they also stay comfortable thanks to the flexible waistline. Plus, there’s a functional drawstring which means you can adjust the fit so they’re just right. The shorts do run true to size, but the waistband and drawstring make sizing a bit easier when shopping online—a particular perk for plus-size shoppers who often can’t try items on in the store to assess their fit.

While the shorts’ chafe-proof design might be their best feature, they also have back and side pockets for added convenience. You can carry around your phone, wallet, and keys without the need for a bag that weighs you down. Plus, these aren’t those tiny pockets some bottoms have for appearance only. These beauties run deep.

Want to snag your own pair of Ava & Viv linen shorts? Target’s Memorial Day Sale runs through Monday, May 27, so grab them while they’re still 30 percent off, and check out even more shorts on sale during the long holiday weekend. 

Universal Thread Pull-On Short

A New Day High-Rise Linen Shorts

A New Day Linen Pleated-Front Shorts

Evans Linen Blend Short

Petal and Pup Hawthorne Shorts