You (yes, I am talking to YOU) Can Wear Biker Shorts… Plus, Studio to Street Looks for Summer
When biker shorts reentered the scene several years ago, I remember swearing to never wear them anywhere other than on a spinning bike (and even that was questionable). Fast forward a few years later and biker shorts are as much a staple of my summer wardrobe as my “regular” athletic shorts. In fact, the stack of biker shorts in my closet is now taller than the stack of those other athletic shorts. And my 2017 self is nodding her head in disbelief as I say that biker shorts are my favorite kind of shorts to wear now… for summer workouts and (dare I say it) everyday.
I recognize that some trends are not for everyone but I am writing this post to tell you all that bike shorts are not just for those cute little 20-somethings! With a few adjustments and styling tips, biker shorts are for everyone of all shapes, sizes AND AGES.
When shopping for leggings, I always say to size down. But my number one tip for shopping for biker shorts, is to stay true to size. The very last thing you want is a biker short that is too tight and grabbing at your thighs in the most unflattering way. I am a size medium in the biker short styles from every brand (except for Tuckernuck- I am still a small in their biker short) even though I am a small in the comparable legging. The goal is to find a short that offers good compression and support without squeezing the wrong places and that is a challenge.
A bunch of brands offer a variety of bike short lengths. For example, Athleta has 5-inch and 7-inch styles. Lululemon has bike shorts in 4, 6, 8 or 10 inches.
I am wearing the 8 inch and the 6 inch Wunder Train short here.
I recommend trying various lengths to find your most flattering fit. I tend to like the shorter style on me because it elongates my legs. I also find that the longer length bike short that hits right above the knee does nothing good for me. But that’s just me and plenty of women look awesome in the longer biker style. And when I say I like shorter length, I do not mean 3 inches (Free People Movement has a shorty short that looks like underwear on me and those should probably stay on the cute 20-somethings!)
This is Free People’s Good Karma short in 7 inches and 3 inches.
When styling a biker short, there are three good top options. 1) A long length sports bra. Bike shorts are so high waisted right now that a long length bra top can almost provide full coverage. I think everybody can and should rock a bike short set. And I mean, everyone! I’ve seen women of all shapes and sizes wearing sets in yoga and absolutely love it!
This is a great set for every body type. The shorts come in a variety of lengths. I am wearing the 6 inch here. Keep in mind, that I am tall (5’10”) and have a long torso.
2) A crop tee or sweatshirt. This is my favorite everyday look but I totally understand that a crop may not be for everyone. Again, the high waistband of the short really helps to make a crop top full coverage. I love the lines of a clean high waisted biker with a boxy crop top. Add a clunky sneaker, maybe even a slouchy crew sock, and it is so, so good!
Check out crop hoodie options here.
3) An oversized top. This is the easiest, most flattering and comfiest way to wear biker shorts. I love this look so much that I wanted to do an entire photo shoot of this style (keep reading to see my STUDIO TO STREET looks below). Of course, any big sweatshirt, tee or tank will look great with the tighter bike shorts. But throw an oversized open or button-down shirt over a bike short set and you are ready for anything the summer throws at you!
Check out some of my favorite oversized tanks here.
And that leads me right into my STUDIO TO STREET looks for the summer because while getting my workout in is always a priority, showering after isn’t!
Shop this set here.
It’s no surprise that Vuori makes my #1 biker short pick. The fit of this style is just perfect, especially in the thigh area. I don’t know how they do it. This short offers a nice amount of compression for a flattering fit that smooths and lifts in the right places, but without gripping the thighs at all. And like all things Vuori, the comfort level is top notch. Plus the patterns and colors of the latest styles are gorgeous. Check them out here.
Shop this street look here.
A large, oversized linen button down is the most carefree, put together look of the summer. There are great options out there but I absolutely love this one from Anthropologie because it is very long, has a large side slit for styling options (like this tie in the front) and this color is stunning. I also have it in white because I plan to live in this shirt this summer! (It makes a great bathing suit coverup, too).
Shop this look here.
While I don’t love a busy pattern on leggings, I am a fan of patterns for shorts, and Athleta has some great prints available this season. This one happens to be on sale too!
Shop this street look here.
I recommend sizing up at least 1-2 sizes in the shirt for a super oversized look. I am wearing a large and could have gone up even more with this style from Athleta.
Shop the Good Karma short set here.
Free People Movement is always on my radar because I absolutely love the Good Karma set. Lucky for me, Good Karma comes in shorts. There are so many colors to chose from but this light stone washed gray is beautiful for the summer.
Shop this street look here. And yes, of course, I ate that donut! I recommend any pastry from Founding Farmers.
This shirt, which is 100% cotton, is just the softest, lightest and easiest to wear option if you want the button down look but the weight and wrinkles of linen isn’t your thing. I love the “butter” color of this shirt paired with the gray Good Karma set.
Shop this Lululemon set here.
This set from Lululemon is functional and flattering, like all things Lulu. And there are so many options that Lululemon is your best bet if you are buying a bike short set for the first time. Obviously, black is easy to wear and easy to style, so I had fun pairing this set for the street look.
Shop this street look here.
Shop this street look here.
Be sure to check out my LIKEtoKNOW.it page for all of the details of the looks that appear in this article and for some other styling options. If you don’t already follow me on LTK, here’s how:
Download the LTK App from the App Store
In the search bar, under “influencers” search for “FitnessFinds”
Click FOLLOW and check out my shop
You can purchase anything you see directly from the app
If you make a purchase through my LTK shop, it is all completely anonymous. I receive a small commission but at no additional cost to you. LTK is a wonderful platform that compensates creators like myself for our work without charging the consumer.
While this article contains affiliate links that will direct you to my LTK shop, rest assure that I only write about products that I genuinely use and love. And that will never change!
I’m happy to report that summer is just around the corner! So get shopping and let me know if you start rocking those bikers this summer.