Remember when Kim Kardashian West first sent the internet into a tizzy in her Yeezy bike shorts? I was definitely amongst the skeptics – like what in the Princess Diana ?? Fast forward to Naomi Campbell at the Off-White show and of course seeing tonnes of my fashion faves styling it in several different ways, and I was slowly getting used to seeing it as a look, but not necessarily something I would wear. (I’m sure you can see where this is headed)
It had started as a bit of a micro trend, but I wasn’t entirely sure it would still be around next season. Surprise, surprise and SS 2019 had a strong showing from both advanced contemporary and luxury brands with everyone from Fendi, Dior, Chanel, Nanushka, and Maryam Nassir Zadeh showing iterations of the look. That was the final straw, I was sold. By the end of summer 2018 I’d become determined to try it out, I’m now happy to announce I am utterly obsessed with bike shorts—and here are my reasons why. They are valid I promise! Scroll to see some of the ways I styled it this summer, the aforementioned reasons and of course even more style inspo on how to wear it.
View this post on Instagram
Bike Shorts Are Super Comfortable.
It took a while for me to identify comfort as a seminal part of my style lexicon, I fought it tooth and nail because a huge part of me believes in effort. Elegance is refusal as Diana Vreeland once said, refusal to be sloppy, refusal to be ordinary. I finally figured out my formula – Daytime Isoken: Comfort (which is why athleisure is bae) and Nighttime/Event Isoken: Full on ‘glamazon’ – this is where my inner magpie comes out to play – feathers, sequins, sparkles you name it. Anyway I digress.
Bike shorts were an instant win because I could still feel very cute, but easily run errands or even transition to nighttime without breaking a sweat. For this look, I decided to go simple with a black longsleeve crewneck T-shirt and my trusty Adidas Stan Smith sneakers. I accessorised with a layered pendant necklace and skinny sunnies.
View this post on Instagram
Bike Shorts Are Unbelievably Versatile
View this post on Instagram
I can’t believe I’m saying this – but I’m starting to believe bike shorts are almost as versatile as denim. Crazy I know – but they go with virtually anything – From casual and sporty combinations to more dressed-up looks you might even wear out at night, the bike shorts can really do it all. Case in point? I paired black bike shorts with a tangerine print blouse for a summer party with EverydayPPL NYC and SUpafrik Toronto, and again with a longline Rococo blouse for some of my TIFF prep activities. Both looks are less sporty than a teeshirt, but it’s a perfect pairing for this trend and it’s effortless-but-make-it-fashion vibe.
View this post on Instagram
Bike Shorts Layer Incredibly Well
If you already layer like a pro, bike shorts are a no brainer. Here I leaned into the ’90s vibe with my sunglasses, and “dad” sneakers and juxtaposed the inherently casual vibe of the bike shorts and layered a mesh top on a graphic print tee for a more statement-making effect.
Bike shorts are so much more than a wardrobe essential! Check out some of the dopest outfit inspo via these street style stars
View this post on Instagram
Onyinye Azode
View this post on Instagram
Latasha Ngwube
View this post on Instagram
Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe
View this post on Instagram
Fisayo Longe
View this post on Instagram
Lisa Folawiyo