Bike Shorts Trend

If you’re a mid-lifer like myself, you probably recall the bike short trend of the ’80s. The style was originally created for functional purposes: to hide marks created by sitting on a bicycle seat for extended periods. The stretchy shorts, most often falling somewhere between mid-thigh and knee, are the ultimate pull-on-and-go piece. And their latest iteration finds them more versatile than ever. Sure, it’s an easy pairing to an oversized T-shirt or hoodie, but it also works well under a sheer dress, with a puff-sleeve top, or paired with an oversized cardigan, worn as a shirt. Team your bike shorts with an oversize blazer and heels and you’ve got a dressy ensemble that feels glamorous without being overdone.

I don’t believe that I wore them in the ’80s but perhaps my memory fails me! Since I’m comfortable wearing leggings, I decided to give bike shorts a try. Bike shorts, in my opinion, are the shorter version of leggings!

Look 1 Bike Shorts and Blazers

When styling bike shorts, think about how you’d style your leggings. Since they’re fitted to your legs and mid section, you’ll want to pair them with something loose fitting and even oversized on the top. That’s why bike shorts pair great with blazers. For the first look, I decided to pair the bike shorts with this gingham, oversized, puffy sleeved blazer along with a loose fitting cami.

Here is a similar look pairing the bike shorts with a boyfriend blazer and cami. I’m not really a fan of how my hips look in the bike shorts so I prefer this longer boyfriend cut blazer and longer cami to the gingham blazer and white cami. My torso is on the long side so I have to look for long items but not quit tall lengths. Both of these looks could easily be worn out for a date night, lunch date with girlfriends, shopping…Where would you wear this look?

Here’s how my two IG friends styled their bike shorts with blazers. I’ve introduced you to both of these lovely ladies in the past so you might recognize them. First is Cindy, of Cindy Scurry. Cindy frequently participates with myself and the others of Stylish Mondays.

Cindy looks great with her blazer belted, which adds some definition and highlights her tiny waist!

Cindy adds an element of interest by a pop of color – yellow above and red below. Wearing a neutral color on your feet elongates you legs! Who doesn’t want longer, leaner looking legs? Although Cindy doesn’t need any help!

Next, is Mary Anne of Macribbs. I featured Mary Anne last year in the spring. To read that post, click HERE. Mary Anne shared with me that she had been looking for leopard print bike shorts since last spring but they sold out at H & M. (Mary Anne lives in Canada.) She was particular with the length she wanted the shorts. Mary Anne got her shorts at SHEIN for $7. The deal, coupon loving queen thinks that’s amazing! Fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Here’s how Mary Anne styled her leopard print bike shorts with a black blazer. Isn’t the pop of pink in her purse a great addition? Don’t be afraid to add in pops of color!

Mary Anne put a slightly different spin on the blazer by pairing the bike shorts with a trench coat! This looks fabulous and inspires me to give this look a try! Again notice the pop of color in her purse. Don’t forget that leopard is considered a neutral and, therefore, pairs great with any color. Love the addition of the booties! Mary Anne looks so chic!

Look 2 Bike Shorts and a Kimono

Last week, I shared this look with you for my post on Jackie Ayers and Dytology. To see that post, click HERE. As you’re aware, kimonos continue to trend, which was also a previous post linked above on Stylish Mondays. My drape front hoodie by Dyetology seemed like a perfect match to the bike shorts. I added a plain black cami and black peep toes for a column of color. A column of color is slimming. This look is slightly more edgy so I’d probably wear it out to my husband’s band gigs, date night or a night out with girlfriends.

Mary Anne paired her leggings with a shorter kimono and flip flops for a more casual look.

Mary Anne also styled her leopard leggings with a distressed sweater for a slightly more edgy look. It’s too warm in Illinois for a sweater right now but the bike shorts will transition great into fall with big oversized sweaters and booties.

Look 3 Bike Shorts and Jean Jackets

This look would be great for almost anything with the exception of going to work (at least for me). I swapped out the drape front hoodie for my black jean jacket and the peep toes for the silver slides. Then I traded out the black cami for a black trimmed in silver tee and took the jean jacket off. I probably wouldn’t wear the second look without a jacket as it’s too body hugging for my liking.

Mary Anne paired her leopard leggings with a Mickey Mouse leopard print t-shirt, jean jacket and cream colored peep toes for a more casual look.

Look 4 Bike Shorts and Oversized T-Shirts and Oversized Sweatshirts

Bike shorts and large oversized t-shirts are an easy match! It’s super comfortable and would look good on most body types! In addition to my black bike shorts, I got a hot pink pair. My Jimi Hendrix graphic t-shirt and blue jean jacket were an easy pairing along with my leopard print P448s.

For a super casual look that I’ve actually just been wearing around the house, in the yard, etc., I’ve added my NIU Huskies oversized t-shirt. (shout out to my alma mater) Thought I’d throw on my cropped jean jacket, which I think looks cute with the oversized tee. If I added some jewelry, I might actually go out in this look. You know that I tend to be fancy so this is super casual for me and not something I’d wear out although I would wear it to run on a quick errand.

On cool summer morning or evenings, leggings pair great with oversized sweatshirts. This look will also transition great into fall. Mary Anne added her baseball hat, backpack purse and tennies for a super casual look.

The leopard bike shorts paired with the mules and oversized Blonde sweatshirt is still casual and can be worn anywhere!

Look 5 Bike Shorts and Whatever You Like

By now you’ve figured out that bike shorts similar to leggings can pretty much pair with anything depending on your comfort level but the ease of wearing them and styling them is not deniable!

Mary Anne’s last look is pairing the leopard bike shorts with this asymmetrical sweater, pearls and pumps! What a fabulously fancy look! Wouldn’t you agree?! (Love how Mary Anne matches her carpet!)

Cindy’s last look is so chic: white and black top, black jacket, black bike shorts and black pumps!

SHOP BIKE SHORTS

Shout Out to Cindy and Mary Anne

If you aren’t already following Cindy and Mary Anne, you can find them both on Instagram: Cindy – Cindy Scurry and Mary Anne – Macribbs. I feel so fortunate to have met them both through Instagram and while we haven’t met yet in person, I know we will some day! I’m grateful to both of them for eagerly participating in this week’s blog post! We hope you got some inspiration and styling ideas

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Did you wear bike shorts in the ’80’s? Would you wear them again? How would you style them? .Leave us a comment! We love to hear from you!

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