I get so many tan lines I look like a patchwork quilt...... so I've given up trying to avoid them. (shorts, shorts plus knee warmers, long socks, short socks, missed a little sunscreen etc.) I haven't been without tights since probably September and I still have a defined thigh tan line....

As far as short inseam shorts go - I had a pair of PI's long ago and I found the bottom of the leg would rub the nose of my saddle right where my skin started and it was soooooooo annoying, so even though I have relatively short legs I prefer a longer short - longer than a 5 or 6 inch inseam at least.