A writer finally asked why so many men do THIS after sex

Chelsea Duff
Updated
A writer finally asked why so many men do THIS after sex
A writer finally asked why so many men do THIS after sex

There are a lot of important questions in life: Where can we find happiness? What’s the perfect balance between personal and professional? And why do guys put on basketball shorts after having sex?

Over at Racked, one writer finally addressed that old basketball-shorts-sex question.

When writer Rebecca Jennings first realized that her awkward sex story was “A Thing,” she wasn’t ready to accept it as just a weird fact of sex. Instead, she wrote a bunch of her friends and colleagues to ask exactly what the deal was… and she got a variety of answers.

Jennings’s theories included “they’re just there,” “they serve an important physical function,” “they protect men’s fragile egos,” “they remind them of their childhood,” “men are terrible at athleisure,” “they’re lingerie for dudes,” and, surprisingly, “they’re actually good?????”

Each theory includes testimonials to support them.

Like this one:

“My hypothesis is that they’ve been wearing this truly hideous type of gym short to bed since they were kids, and never thought to GROW THE FUCK UP or interrogate their ~bedroom style~. These are certainly pieces of clothing they’ve owned since college, possibly high school. They think they’re comfortable, and perhaps less vulnerable-feeling than a boxer, in the presence of a new sex friend. But the boxer is the clear answer here — not boxer brief, I’m talking some sort of plaid boxer short that shows an appealing amount of man thigh. This is sexy! As for why they’re so shiny, I guess: sports?? I’ve worn them exactly once, in college, within the confines of an apartment. The guy who owned them was not a sports-loving bro as a 21-year-old, which further confirms my hypothesis that this is a holdover from childhood.” —a woman

And this one:

“I assume men — GROWN MEN — do this because for them shiny basketball shorts qualify as ‘loungewear,’ and they just haven’t bothered to update their ‘loungewear’ selection since age 16. My real theory, however, is that having had sex triggers a regression to being 16 and being really pleased with themselves for having had sex, and hence, the stupid teenager shorts. Alternately, maybe they are shorts-shaming us into buying them expensive sweatpants.” —a woman

Jennings even shared a story from a gay friend who admitted that this isn’t just a straight guy phenomenon. In short, lots of guys do it — and for lots of different reasons.

You can reach Jennings’ entire article on Racked. But the story didn’t stop there.

The conversation continued on Twitter.

Many users got involved and came forward with their own stories.

Some shared new theories.

Others ranked post-coital attire.

One woman shared her take on the trend.

And another opted out entirely.

This user was just glad that journalists today are asking the real questions.

As far as any assumptions we can make, it seems like there’s more than just one answer.

“In conclusion, men are complicated animals, and their reasons for immediately putting on basketball shorts after sex are vast and varied,” Jennings wrote. “Who knew!”