BIKE SHORTS

IT’S TIME TO TAKE SIDES ON THIS SEASON’S MOST POLARISING TREND. ARE YOU IN OR OUT?

How to do athleisure’s most controversial trend.

IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME before the Soulcycle obsession infiltrated our wardrobes. Cue: the unexpected emergence of bike shorts.

We were dubious when the Kardashians started touting the leggings-as-pants look last year but the spring/summer 19 shows made converts of us. Jacquemus sent bold orange bike shorts with loosely tied white shirting down the runway, Bella Hadid made athletic navy iterations look corporate-chic at Fendi and Acne Studios took them into PM by teaming them with leather. But it was Chanel who really led the charge, with black or printed cycling styles cropping up throughout the beach-themed show.

The easiest way to buy into the trend? A long-line blazer over bike shorts – but we’re also partial to the off-duty model take: bright knits or athleisure windcheaters with “ugly” sneakers and a ponytail. It’s a don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously trend – so treat it as such.