The summer of short shorts is well underway, thanks to Harry Styles, Milo Ventimiglia, and Paul Mescal, all of whom have been known to rock gym-ready styles with next-to-nothing inseams. Hailey Bieber, Sophie Turner, and Zendaya, too, have shown an affinity for the sporty style. Now, we want to join in on the action. But while there’s no shortage of options to choose from, with every brand from Nike to Prada serving up some version of the athletic summer staple, finding a pair that’s just right is harder than some might think.
For instance, if you want a pair with high slit sides for 360º movement, your best bet is to try and buy them vintage from the ‘80s or ‘90s (see Ben Covington, played by Scott Speedman, running in Season 1, Episode 4 of Felicity), since the modern versions rarely offer styles that are quite so breezy. Do you plan to wear them more as a fashion piece than a gym look? Perhaps you want to opt for something a bit more exclusive than Nike’s ubiquitous swoosh. Lining, pockets, drawstrings, and rise all play an important role in the short shorts shopping process. Really, it just depends on what look you’re going for.
To ensure that you find a pair that checks off all your sartorial boxes, we went ahead and rounded up the best bare-all pairs on the market. Now, there’s nothing standing in the way of you achieving your Harry Styles style goals — that is, besides 3 to 5 business days for shipping.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
iets frans Blue Satin Runner Short, $, available at Urban Outffiters
The resurgence of leggings as "real pants" has only been accelerated by the past year's shift towards comfort-first wardrobes. We no longer ask ourselves whether or not the body-con bottoms are a truly viable option to wear outside of the gym; with the right styling, the right attitude, and the right pair, the stretchy, clingy pant now gets a resounding yes. However, as summer rolls around, the same goes for the leggings' cropped counterparts: biker shorts.
Bike shorts caused quite the stir when they returned to the runway again a few years back, with fashion girls all over the world embracing the controversial trend. And, while we weren't quite sure of their longevity, after seeing our favorite designers from Heron Preston to Rachel Comey manufacturing pairs of their own, it became clear that bike shorts are here to stay. What's the trick to doing them right? Our advice: grab a pair with some length — it's more fashion-forward and makes navigating your shoe selection so much easier. Leggings and heeled sandals? Most likely no. Bike shorts and heeled sandals? Kind of great. Wear with an oversized blazer, a simple hoodie, or with a pretty white blouse, and you're good to go.
Ahead, shop our picks for the best biker shorts you'll need for summer — from high-rise to ribbed and pocket-clad.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Best High-Rise Bike Short
Girlfriend Collective FLOAT High-Rise Bike Short
Girlfriend Collective FLOAT High-Rise Bike Short, $, available at Girlfriend CollectiveBest Ribbed Bike Short
Free People Seamless Rib Bike Short
Free People Seamless Rib Bike Short, $, available at Free People
Best Compression Bike Short
Alo Yoga High-Waist Biker Short
Alo Yoga High-Waist Biker Short, $, available at Alo Yoga
Best Knit Bike Short
Uniqlo x Mame Kurogouchi 3D Knit Ribbed Shorts
Uniqlo x Mame Kurogouchi 3D Knit Ribbed Shorts, $, available at Uniqlo
Best Eco Bike Short
Everlane The Perform Bike Short
Everlane The Perform Bike Short, $, available at Everlane
Best Bike Short For Yoga
Lululemon Align Short 6"
Lululemon Align Short 6", $, available at Lululemon
Best Bike Short in Black
Universal Standard Next–to–Naked Bike Short
Universal Standard Next–to–Naked Bike Shorts, $, available at Universal Standard
Best Bike Short with Pockets
Athleta Ultimate Stash Pocket 7" Short
Athleta Ultimate Stash Pocket 7" Short, $, available at Athleta
Best Bike Short for Comfort
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Biker Short
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Biker Short, $, available at Beyond Yoga
Best Bike Short Under $15
Old Navy High-Waisted Jersey Bike Shorts
Old Navy High-Waisted Jersey Bike Shorts, $, available at Old Navy
Best Sweat-Wicking Bike Short
Outdoor Voices Core 7" Short
Outdoor Voices Core 7" Short, $, available at Outdoor Voices
Best Cotton Bike Short
A New Day High-Waist Cotton Blend Seamless 7" Inseam Bike Shorts
A New Day High-Waist Cotton Blend Seamless 7" Inseam Bike Shorts, $, available at Target
Best Faux Leather Bike Short
Eloquii Faux Leather Bike Short
Eloquii Faux Leather Bike Short, $, available at Eloquii
Best Bike Short for Running
Nike Air Running Tight Shorts
Nike Air Running Tight Shorts, $, available at Nike
Best Printed Bike Short
Abacaxi Smocked Shorts Hibiscus
Abacaxi Smocked Shorts Hibiscus, $, available at Abacaxi
Best Bike Short for Going Out
Good America The Boss Bike Short
Good American The Boss Bike Short, $, available at Good American
Best Mid-Rise Bike Short
Billie the Label Peggy Biker Short
Billie the Label Peggy Biker Short, $, available at Verishop
Best Padded Bike Short
Rapha Core Shorts
Rapha Core Shorts, $, available at RaphaBest Super Stretchy Knit-Ribbed Bike Short
Los Angeles Apparel Ultra Heavy Knit Ribbed Bike Shorts
Los Angeles Apparel Ultra Heavy Knit Ribbed Bike Shorts, $, available at Los Angeles Apparel
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Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives to attend the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on March 5, 2020. – The Endeavour Fund helps servicemen and women have the opportunity to rediscover their self-belief and fighting spirit through physical challenges. (Photo by Paul Edwards / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PAUL EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Meghan Markle seems to have a solution to the work-from-home outfit struggle we’ve all endured for the past year.
In the video, Markle is wearing a white tank lounge dress with a matching sweater, paired with classic suede mustard pumps. In honor of her sign, the Duchess also accessorized her outfit with a Leo constellation necklace.
Since stepping back from Royal duties in 2020, Markle has mostly appeared in the public eye through Zoom, where she’s donned business casual looks, from an Oscar De La Renta lemon tree dress in a Spotify Studios trailer to a Carolina Herrera red floral dress at the Vax Live streaming event by Global Citizen.
As fall approaches, millions of people are looking to return to the office in some capacity, wondering what the future of workwear looks like. Markle’s latest outfit is a good indication of the direction we’re all headed, with loungewear becoming an integral part of the work wardrobe post-quarantine. According to Stitch Fix, the styling service has seen a 60% increase in requests for rompers and jumpsuits, as well as a rise in searches for leggings and loungewear. Other brands like Skims have popularized dressed-up loungewear, with pieces like the Loungewear Slip Dress continuously selling out.
Markle’s tank dress is a casual version of the styles we’ve seen her wearing over the past few years, as she has continuously donned shift, A-line, and bodycon dresses paired with chic coats, jackets, and sweaters. Classic pumps have also become one of the Duchess’s staples, and she often taps brands like Jimmy Choo and Aquazzura for her signature footwear.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what to wear to work from home, try Markle’s outfit formula with the options below.
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Over the last few seasons, we’ve seen a rise in interest for the pant style once reserved for dads — including First Dads — on casual Fridays. In November, Kornacki, aka America’s “map daddy,” caused a roughly 90% unit sale increase online at the Gap following his khaki-clad 2020 election coverage for MSNBC, according to TODAY. In the fashion world, Instagram style stars are trading in their vintage Levi’s for the other Americana pants, often styling them oversized and cinched with a thick leather belt, or wearing them low around the hips, Gen-Z style. Designers, too, have adopted khakis, with brands like The Row and Louis Vuitton adding elevated pairs to their spring ‘21 collections.
“They are a timeless and chic wardrobe piece for me, because you can dress them up or down,” says Sandra Heinrich Sauceda, the fashion influencer behind the Instagram account @filis_pina, which is brimming with khaki-colored outfit inspiration. Sauceda said that khakis make her feel put-together in a way that other pant styles don’t. Because of their soft fabric and loose fit, khakis are also more comfortable than standard trousers or jeans, making them an obvious choice for daytime — or nighttime — activities (after the year that we've had, what is time, anyway?).
Like that elusive perfect pair of 501s, though, finding a pair of vintage khakis that fits your body and styling preferences can be tricky, especially since there are so many options available on the secondhand market. Sauceda’s solution? “Find a bunch of different styles — baggy, pleated, and high-waisted — and try them on,” she says. She also recommends trying on various sizes and bringing along a belt to see how they look cinched. “You never know.”
Daniel Rodriquez, the Director of Operations at Housing Works Thrift Shops, a New York City-based nonprofit and thrift shop collective, recommends looking out for four things when shopping for khakis on the secondhand market: Durability; pleats; enhancements, like zippers or cuffs; and darker colors, which offer more versatility than muted shades. According to him, you also want to find a pair with intact seams that still has that covetable worn-in, faded look.
In order to make your search for the perfect pair of worn-in, but not too worn-in khaki pants — and get the Kornacki-turned-The-Row look in the process — we rounded up some vintage options, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
