Despite piggybacking on the athleisure hype, bike shorts are enjoying an independent hour of significance in global fashion. They’re the perfect off-duty wear, yet you can pair them with an oversized blazer for work, according to celebs like Kim Kardashian, who sported them in Japan, and brands like Fendi and Chanel, which featured them on the runways this season. It’s official: The bike shorts trend is taking fashion by storm.
It’s easy to love bike shorts as high fashion — they’re a comeback that is far more comfortable than past trends like low-rise jeans, tying with dad sneakers for most low-maintenance article of clothing. But can a piece that so easily transitions to spin class also pass for happy hour-appropriate wear?
The runway says yes — and we’ve got the proof. Here are examples of the chicest ways to wear bike shorts this season.
[ Next: How to Wear Bike Shorts As Fashion (Because They’re Not Going Anywhere) ]
Let's get real about biker shorts
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Chanel Spring 2019
Chanel's ready-to-wear collection as part of Paris Fashion Week featured a tropical beach where models in bike shorts wore signature Chanel padded blazers and straw hats. Basically, a modern lookbook for a south of France vacation.
Image: Imaxtree
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Mugler Spring 2019
The latex printed bike shorts at Mugler's Paris Fashion Week show were a key feature. The fashion label's lineup also featured ripped bike shorts teamed with formal baggy blazers.
Image: Imaxtree
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Paris Fashion Week Fall 2018 Haute Couture Street Style
Turkish stylist Ece Sukan paired her bike shorts with a knotted shirt and a belt outside the Ralph & Russo show at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2018 Haute Couture, proving bike shorts work both outside and in-office.
Image: Imaxtree
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Blumarine Spring 2019
Blumarine's spectacular Spring 2019 line made a case for bike shorts as a layering piece. It paired neon bike shorts with dresses, oversized shorts and skirts.
Image: Imaxtree
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The Street Style Sensation
Bike shorts with a blazer is one of the fastest emerging looks on the street style radar. Fashion blogger Sabrina Meijer sported cycling shorts with a mint blue blazer during Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring 2019.
Image: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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Paris Fashion Week Fall 2018 Haute Couture Street Style
We are in love with this look spotted outside the Paris haute couture shows. Bike shorts go best with oversized or sweeping numbers, like this leather jacket.
Image: Imaxtree
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Heron Preston Spring 2019
This pair of sheer bike shorts made for a stellar ensemble at the Heron Preston Spring 2019 Menswear "En Vogue" show during Paris Fashion Week.
Image: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images For Heron Preston
