Emily Ratajkowski, Kylie Jenner, and influencers as far as the eye can see are ditching their leggings for skin-tight, leg-revealing bike shorts. Yes, you can totally do it, too.
High-waist, sculpting, and can beat the summer heat? It’s no surprise that bike shorts are taking over our Instagram feeds. For those of you still having a hard time giving in to this major fashion trend, think about it: They’re just like your go-to leggings, but with more leg showing.
Bike shorts dominated the runways this past year with Bella Hadid strutting at Fendi’s spring/summer 2019 show wearing bike shorts with a utilitarian top and accessories. Marine Serre kept them sporty with cool jackets and monochrome styling, and Acne Studios and LaQuan Smith made them appropriate for a night out with bra and leather tops accented with edgy jewelry.
But they’re not a new trend. In the ’80s, icons Princess Diana and Madonna wore these shorts with oversized crewnecks and windbreakers to the gym. Now, fashion’s It Girls of 2019 are revamping the short and styling them with everything from blazers and chain belts.
The bike short is officially no longer just for the gym, and to prove that you can work this trend into your own wardrobe, we’ve pulled four ways to style bike shorts with items you’re likely to already own. Go ahead, don’t be afraid.
1. Monochrome Approach
Skip the struggle to find the perfect top pairing and go matchy-matchy with your bike shorts! Sure pairing black bike shorts is a no brainer, but we feel summer is a time to step out of your comfort zone and try a bolder color, as demonstrated here by model Roxy Reyes and writer and influencer Alyssa Coscarelli! Add a denim jacket over a matching bra top with some casual sneakers and you’re ready for the weekend.
Get the Look:
Get It! FreeForm Shorts, $45; Free Form Bralette, $45; Outdoor Voices
Get It! Year of Ours Football Biker Short, $78; Year of Ours Victoria V Bra, $78; Bandier
2. Sporty, but Skips the Gym
Endorphins make you happy, but working out is a pain. Know what else makes us just as happy? A new outfit. You don’t need to be heading to a new HIIT workout to enjoy the sporty casualness that the OG bike short gets this year! Swap the OG bike shorts pairing top, the ’80s windbreaker, for cropped hoodies and shoulder bags. Take inspiration from Emily Ratajkowski and influencer Nadia Aboulhosn by throwing on a cropped, long-sleeve top with your joggers, some trendy sunglasses, a small handbag, and skip their kicks for of-the-moment Tevas.
Get the Look:
Get It! Good American Icon High Waist Biker Shorts, $65; Nordstrom
Get It! Out From Under Half-Zip Cropped Sweatshirt, $69; Urban Outfitters
Get It! Nike Pro 8 Training Shorts, $35; Nordstrom
3. Business on Top
Unexpected combinations are always the best, that’s why we love the chic combo of bike shorts with a blazer. Use it as a jacket to layer and add volume above the waist while keeping things streamlined and simple below, as shown on influencer Nnenna Echem. Dress things up by skipping the top underneath and wear the blazer as a shirt with a waist bag to give an hourglass shape a la Kylie Jenner. It’s a no-fuss layering piece you undoubtedly already own, perfect for days when the weather can’t make up its mind.
Get the Look:
Get It! LNA Cher Biker Short, $77; Carbon38
Get It! ASOS DESIGN Orange Pop Suit Blazer, $83; ASOS
Get It! Girlfriend Collective High Waist Bike Shorts, $48; Nordstrom
4. Cool Girl
Leave your jean shorts at home. Vintage Levi’s will never go out of style, but your favorite pair may become your backup option after wearing a bike shorts out on the town. Stylist Emili Sindlev and model Gizele Oliveira show how it’s done by wearing their sleek black bike shorts with graphic tees, chain accessories, handbags, and strappy sandals — a.k.a. everything you normally would wear for a night out with your jean shorts. An easy switch that’s super sassy and ridiculously comfy.
Get the Look:
Get It! Spanx Faux Leather Moto Bike Shorts, $68; Shopbop
Get It! Daydreamer Distressed Led Zeppelin Tee, $78; Free People
Get It! Alo Yoga High Waist Biker Short, $56; Alo Yoga
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