Ah, not all bike shorts make you look like you have a diaper butt from the rear. I guess if you feel like it has diaper butt, it might look thicker, but who the hell cares? Shorts with higher lycra content and less padding hold you in, and in my opinion actually flatter most figure types. I wear Terry bellas or the Shebeest S Pros.
I wear bike shorts or skorts for all riding, no matter how short. Today i went to the train station, about 4.2 miles. I wore minimally padded knickers. Since I didn't have to change, it was no big deal. The "commuter' type cycling knickers or pants are kind of stylish looking! When I had a 6.7 mile commute to work, i wore my regular cycling shorts, or shorts with tights over them. I changed into my work clothes at work.
The only time I don't wear cycling shorts is when I ride to the pond, .99 mile; but it's ouchy in a bathing suit...