Biker shorts are one of the most comfortable and flattering pieces you can have in your wardrobe, and they are so versatile for everyday styling. You can wear biker short outfits for cycling and of course a spin class, but beyond that they’re one of our favorite pieces for fashionable athleisure wear ‘fits.
The beauty of a pair of biker shorts is that they are a great piece to throw on for low-effort outfits that still look good… think the iconic baggy sweater and biker shorts outfit trailblazed by Lady Di, or the biker shorts, oversized blazers and heels outfits sported by celebs and the likes in recent years. These ways of wearing biker shorts still look great today, highlighting the longevity of this item for your wardrobe today, and in years to come.
A pair of form-fitting biker shorts can be dressed up or down, for festival ‘fits, matching gym sets, traveling, or simply running errands. You can find biker shorts of all different lengths; 4-inch biker shorts, 5-inch biker shorts, workout biker shorts, and cotton biker shorts bring an outfit together differently depending on the look and feel you’re aiming for.
They're perfect for summer 'fits or winter layering, so without further ado, let’s find out what to wear with biker shorts, and how to style your biker shorts to get the most out of one of the most versatile athleisure pieces in your closet.
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What Are Biker Shorts?
Biker shorts, otherwise known as cycling shorts are shorts that have taken inspiration from the world of cycling and refer to a tight-fitting pair of shorts that sit just above knee-length. Dating back to the early 20th century, the cycling short was once a woolen garment with a built-in chamois before the invention of lycra innovated a far-comfier iteration. This stretchy activewear garment is now worn for far more activities than the two-wheel sport. In fact, ‘biker shorts’ is now used as a general term to refer to any tight style of shorts that sits around mid-thigh.
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What To Wear With Biker Shorts: 6 Easy To Style Biker Short Outfits
Choosing what to wear with biker shorts is even easier when you have some stylish outfits ready to go, here’s six cycling shorts styling ideas for you.
1. Matching Biker Short Sets
There’s nothing that screams ‘put together’ quite like a matching set. Styling your biker shorts with a matching sports bra pulls the outfit together intentionally, creating a foolproof way to feel good and look like you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into your outfit. This combo is ideal for sweaty workouts where minimal layers are desired or for hot girl walks (literally) as you get your dose of morning sunshine.
2. Pair Cycling Shorts With A Contrasting Colour
One way to create some fun and add dimension to an outfit is to combine two contrasting colors (bonus fun points if they’re pastels). This way you can pair two of your favorite colors together, allowing you to get more wear out of pieces you may have bought as a matching set. Mixing colors can also brighten up your workout looks; we’re big fans of pairing bright Fuschia with cobalt blue this season, two shades you can find in the Vital Seamless collection.
3. Biker Shorts With An Oversized T-Shirt
Even in the warmer months, sometimes we want to feel cozy in our clothing, and whilst a hoodie is too warm to make the cut, a baggy t-shirt will do the trick. An oversized t-shirt paired with your fave biker shorts gives an effortlessly cool and comfy vibe, perfect for running errands, working out, or purely chilling. We’re fans of the French tuck or the tuck-in-your-sports-bra trick if you’re looking to switch up the silhouettes.
4. Bikers Shorts Outfit For Travelling
Summer’s out, which means that the highly anticipated travel ‘fits are in, and boy have we got some airport outfit inspo for you this season. If there’s one place to sport your cutest athleisure fits, it’s the airport. We’re obsessed with the big-on-top, small-on-the-bottom outfit formula; and peeping your little cycle shorts out under a super baggy pump cover is the dream travel outfit. Cute, comfy, and cool… whip off your hoodie as soon as you land and tick-box, you’re in vacay mode.
5. Summer Biker Shorts Outfits
Leading perfectly on from travel outfits, we’ll let you in on a little secret… our biker shorts look amazing on vacation too. With the 70’s revival (thanks Daisy Jones & The Six), short shorts are in, and our 4” shorts are the perfect biker shorts to pack for your Summer getaways. Wear to the beach with our minimal bra, dress up with a floaty sheer top for your evenings out, and ofc, if you’re not skipping leg day, you can wear them for your poolside workouts. But wherever you are, cycling shorts are an easy everyday styling option for the warmer months, just pop on a airy little tank top to stay cool or a summery crop top.
6. Pilates Biker Shorts Outfits
Pilates is all about slow refined movements, stretching, and lengthening, so naturally you want your Pilates biker shorts outfit to be able to move with you. Wear your cycling shorts with a low-medium support sports bra depending on your chest size since Pilates is a low-impact exercise that requires less support than workouts like running or HIIT. Then add to this base with a fitted zip-up jacket for your studio commute, and also because it looks super cute. You might want to wear a wrap top with your biker shorts or long-sleeve top - these light layers are easy to remove once you’re warmed up.
When Should I Wear Biker Shorts?
Biker shorts can be worn for a lot more than cycling, here’s our top three occasions for you to sport a comfy style by wearing biker shorts outfits.
1. For working out
A popular way to wear biker shorts is for working out and you’re sure to see this style of shorts at your local spin class, run club, or HIIT session. The tight fit prevents excess material from floating around and creating distractions as you move, and biker shorts often offer a compressive waistband to sculpt and support.
When it comes to styling biker shorts for the gym, you’ve got a plethora of styling options all year round. For summer workouts a pair of biker shorts are great as they’ll keep you cool, and the stylish little numbers look fab paired with a matching sports bra. Perfect for running, yoga, or lifting, biker shorts can be worn with fitted zip jackets for that popular snatched gym aesthetic (mirror pic required). Alternatively, in the cooler months, you could style your biker shorts with a baggy sweatshirt or hoodie to keep you warm on top. Or keep your pump cover on if you have a low-impact session where you won’t be working up much of a sweat!
2. For everyday wear
Out of the gym, the comfort of a pair of cycling shorts makes them a top choice for everyday wear. You may prefer to opt for a cotton number over performance fabric for a more wearable everyday feel, but either way, these versatile shorts can be styled for days out hiking, dressed up for a smarter edge, or with everyday basics for a clean aesthetic.
What shirts to wear with biker shorts?
The harder part of building an athleisure outfit around biker shorts is choosing what shirt to pair with them. While the oversized t-shirt and biker shorts combo is a fail-safe option for working out or running errands, some settings call for us to ramp up the styling efforts. So if you want to dress your biker shorts up, choose an oversized button-down shirt for a smart casual look that feels both relaxed and put together. For an instantly stylish outfit, pair your cycling shorts with a plain fitted tee or a quality ribbed tank and your favorite chunky trainers and oversized jacket for cooler days.
3. For lounging
When it comes to lounging, comfort is our priority… no one wants to chill in a pair of rigid jeans, and one of the best feelings on earth is getting home from work and slipping into your comfies. With that being said, you can’t go wrong with a pair of biker shorts for lounging in; comfy, breathable, and non-restricting, cycling shorts are the clothing of choice for your chill days, whether they involve long walks outside or long stints on the couch. Pair them with your favorite soft baggy tees, oversized sweatshirts, and slouchy baggy hoodies for a comfortable athleisure ‘fit. Matching sets are the loungewear love story we’re all invested in, and a pair of cycling shorts with a matching vest top, or bralette for warm summer days.
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What Length Biker Shorts Should I Get?
When it comes to biker shorts, they’re meant to be form-fitting, but where you can find variation is their length. Some of you may prefer a longer length that falls between mid-thigh and your knees, and others may opt to sport a shorter style with a 5” inseam or less.
Here’s our roundup of our best biker shorts in longer and shorter styles:
Longer Length Biker Shorts
8 and 9 Inch Biker Shorts
If a true biker short is your preference and you look to the cycling world for your styling inspo, our 8” and 9” inseam cycling shorts will be right up your street. With a longer length that falls close to your knee, the Adapt Animal Seamless Cycling Shorts are our top choice for lifting sessions. If it’s athleisure you’re after, and you're looking for something to wear on your next coffee run, style the 8” Elevate Cycling Shorts with an oversized t-shirt or sweater for an effortless look. Comfy and supportive, they’ll move with you all day.
6 Inch Biker Shorts
Whilst short-shorts might not be your jam, you might find a 6” inseam perfect for everyday wear. Sitting around mid-thigh, the Pocket Shorts are stylish biker shorts in a longer length, made from a supple stretchy material. Engineered to efficiently store your phone or keys as you work out, they’re one of our favorite designs this season. The Crossover Shorts follow a similar fit, offering a 6” inseam with a trending crossover design waistband for a sophisticated take on your gym ‘fits.
Shorter Length Biker Shorts
5 Inch Biker Shorts
The most popular length of biker shorts are those that sit in the 5” inseam category. And for good reason: not too short, not too long, 5” biker shorts offer the best of both worlds. You can find the Sweat Seamless Shorts in this length, designed with our iconic curved waistband and durable, moisture-wicking DYNMC™️ fabric for your sweaty workouts it’s one of our favorites when it comes to versatile styling. New on the roster, our Everyday Seamless Shorts are 4” biker shorts designed with simplicity in mind and are a true wardrobe staple.
4 Inch Biker Shorts
We’re entering hotpants territory over here, with our 4” biker shorts there’s absolutely no hiding those quad gains. Sitting right on the most developed part of your quad muscles, the Adapt Seamless Fleck Shorts are oh-so flattering, supportive, and enhanced with sweat-wicking tech for your tough workouts. The Vital Seamless 2.0 Shorts in a new seasonal sage green colorway have also been refreshed with a shorter 4” inseam for days you fancy sporting short-shorts.
Fancy taking a look at our men’s offering of short-shorts? Coined hoochie daddy shorts, here’s all you need to know about the latest shorts trend to take our social media feeds by storm.
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Is all this talk of summer and vacations making you think about your next trip? Well if working out still remains a priority when you’re on vacay (kudos to you) and your suitcase is made up of cute summer workout ‘fits, you’ll benefit from reading this article on 10 tips for staying fit on holiday. If you can do it, that’s great! But don’t beat yourself up about missing a session, vacations are for switching off… the gym isn’t going anywhere.
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