Pole Shorts for a Small Waist, Wider Hips and Strong Thighs

A pair of shorts can fit your hips and still gap at the waist. Another pair may feel snug at the waist but dig into your thighs when you lift a knee. If that sounds familiar, compare both the size and the cut. Your proportions do not have to match one column of a chart perfectly.

Measure your waist and hips

Use the Dragonfly size charts and compare both measurements. For shorts, make sure there is enough room across the hips; sizing down only to tighten the waist can create pressure through the crotch and leg openings.

If your measurements fall into different sizes, ask for sizing advice with the model name and both measurements. A different cut may suit you better than repeatedly changing the size of the same pair.

Check the leg openings in movement

Try a squat, knee lift and comfortable wide stance. Notice whether an edge digs in, rolls or shifts away from the area you want covered. The shorts should follow your movement without forcing you to pull the fabric back after every repetition.

Mandy shorts have a mid-rise waist and no separate tight waistband or leg bands. They are worth comparing if firm edges bother you. Fit still depends on your measurements and how the cut sits on your body.

Choose where you want the waistband to sit

A high waist may feel comfortable around a defined waist, but it is not a universal solution to gaping. Check where the top edge lands when you sit and bend. Betty offers a high-waisted cut; Mia sits lower on the hips.

Read our comparison of pole shorts rises if you are deciding how much of your stomach to cover.

What adjustable sides can change

The side drawstrings on Emma let you alter the leg length and side coverage. They do not replace choosing the right size or tighten the waistband independently. Start with a comfortable fit across your hips, then use the drawstrings to adjust the shape.

Look for stretch that recovers

Dragonfly’s Italian fabrics with LYCRA® fibre are designed for stretch and shape retention. That flexibility helps the garment follow movement, but it does not make every cut right for every body. Keep comparing the actual fit rather than relying on stretch alone.

For more on coverage and construction, read how to choose pole dance shorts. Then explore the shorts collection with your measurements and preferred waistband height in mind.