What is the ruling on a man wearing shorts that cover the knees and going out in them in front of women or in public places, knowing that his 'awrah is between the navel and the knee?

Originally, there is no harm for a man to wear shorts that reach the knee, revealing the leg. This is because a man's 'awrah (private parts that must be covered) is what is between the navel and the knee, as stated in the Hadith (definition): "What is between the navel and the knee is 'awrah." The navel and the knee themselves are not part of the 'awrah. However, wearing such shorts might be considered a breach of muru'ah (chivalry/propriety) that could compromise one's uprightness, especially if people in society disapprove of wearing them and condemn the doer. This varies from country to country and from one society to another.