In that case I'd suggest the Ahaz route and cut some chinos down. Seems to me that wool trousers would make for some odd shorts.
I have a tan tropical wool-and-mohair Chester Barrie suit whose pants have bad problems at the far end. I'm seriously considering cutting the pants down to a pair of shorts, since I don't think they can be salvaged. I'll post pics if I do.
Skintight shorts from pants have been done. There's an art high school in Orange County that really digs them, though they're more into vintage running shorts these days.
hmm
could you elaborate on this?
i've never heard of this... then again i don't know too many people from that school.