What's With Zac Efron's Short Shorts?

Sure, actor Zac Efron is buff and sure, he's incredibly handsome, too; but, what the heck is with the flowery short shorts he was spotted wearing on the set of his upcoming film Paper Boy? Surely they're not going to become a fashion trend again--or are they? (Cue a very loud gasp!)

According to a report from PerezHilton.com, it seems that this past weekend's shooting schedule on the Paper Boy set found Efron and cast member Nicole Kidman hanging out poolside, therefore the short shorts--which actually were swim trunks--were a necessary evil.

Now please don't get this wrong. Zac would look hot in a pink lycra sweat suit, but that doesn't mean he should ever be seen wearing one. The same goes for his flowery short shorts. They are vaguely reminiscent of the late 1970s. All that was missing was a pair of knee-high tube socks and a sweatband around his head. Wouldn't that just be swell?

The scary part of these flowery short shorts that Zac Efron was seen wearing is that he was wearing them. And because he is a bit of a trend-setter, that could encourage others to dress much the same way. This would not be an acceptable fashion to bring back into style!

You can check (if you dare) out a photo of Zac Efron sporting his flowery short shorts by clicking here.

So do you suppose this is an up-and-coming fashion trend about to come back or something that should just permanently go away--forever?