Would You Wear… Bike Shorts?
Photo credits: Lookbook.nu
Here’s a new fashion trend I’ve been noticing on all the blogs and street style websites lately – black bicycle shorts, either lace, mesh, or spandex, worn peeking out from beneath denim cutoffs or worn alone under a loose top.
I think the bike shorts trend is a cute, unique way to slowly transition your summer wardrobe into fall and an easy method to breath life into those same old denim shorts you’ve been rocking all summer.
If you’re on a budget or just don’t want to shell out cash for a trendy item, bike shorts like the ones pictured above are a super-simple DIY project: just grab a pair of sharp scissors and cut off standard black tights or lace leggings to your desired length. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
So what do you think? Would you wear bike shorts? Which of the above looks is your favorite? Type up a quick comment – can’t wait to hear what you guys think of this trend!
Posted on on August 11, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: 2009, DIY, Leggings, Shorts, Summer, Tights, Would You Wear?
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Dre Ramirez
Most definitely — they are so vintage! I remember wearing them as a kid and i love them on me just as much now as i did then! Definite YES!
Annastasia
Only if it’s under a pair of shorts, otherwise they kinda look like a long pair of underwear.
Jessi
i love the look in the middle picture! i would def. rock the biker shorts with a longer shirt…im not a fan of the leggings under shorts look.
crystal
omigod! The 80’s are officially back! :P
Yeah, I’d probably wear a cut-up or lace pair. But, I agree with Annastasia…only under shorts. When I first read the title of this post, I thought you meant by themselves and cringed a bit (okay, a lot).
x
I’ve been wearing them to exercise and under dresses if I’m biking somewhere for a really long time. Never wore them as part of an outfit… not my style. American Apparel makes great ones though, for anyone whose interested.
Sharon
No way would I wear these, reminds me too much of the 80’s- and not in the good way. Yikes!!
Blair
no no && most definitely not. these remind me too much of after school sports practices.–& not in a good way.
z
ew. no.
Ally
Very cute trend. Can’t say I would wear them personally because I have short legs. I don’t really like holes in the biker shorts but plain black is fabulous.
Lyndsay
I like the ones in the middle. I personally think they look a bit silly under denim shorts.
Rayna
I like the idea, but I just tried it and it looks weird with what I have. Maybe if they aren’t cturoff shorts they would work for me. But for now, i think I’ll pass lol.
johnieemma
I really like this look! I wouldn’t wear it all the time but when I feel a bit edgy and need a more fallish look for my cut-offs it’s perfect. Usually I keep them around for the gym so it’s not like you need to spend extra money.
Good one!
Kath
I’ve rocked everything from tie dyed jeans to liquid leggings, but this one is too out there for me. It looks great on models and in photos, but I couldn’t pull that off in real life. Kudos to anyone who makes it work!
Ashley
I just realized that I had been wearing bike shorts with loose tops during the entire summer. I didn’t know they were a fashion trend!? So I guess to answer your question…yes.
Marissa
yeahhhhhhh!! where can i find em!?
rachelle
i bought a pair of these with a lace trim from charlotte russe to try out. i think this look could be cute with just the lace trim peeking out of a pair of cutoffs. i have short legs, so i think if i made my shorts too much longer with the bike shorts it might have the wrong effect. im waiting for them to come in the mail so i can try them out!
Joanne
Under a pair of shorts, yes – a new way to wear denim shorts is okay in my book. ;)
Stephanie
How about leggings under shorts? Would it be weird since they’re longer?
Lady M
this recycled 80s thing is so played out. i love the 80s, but can we have some new fashion trends now??
STEPHANIE
i’m not so sure about this one. I have bike shorts but only for biking purposes. i cant picture wearing em under shorts cuz it seems a lil too bulky for people who aren’t a size 2. the last thing i wanna do is add bulk to my waistline. however the lace biking shorts with a lose long shirt is kinda cute. but can’t u see ur underwear thru those things?
teri
I love the bike shorts under a loose top look, but I’m not feeling it under a denim short.
Kirsten
Im not a huge fan of this trend…. my style is more classic then up to date trendy.
Rebecca
Under shorts is a cool style and I really like the middle outfit. Don’t know if I’d wear it though
Kortnee
Not for me.
Summer
I think it’s a really cool idea; sort of like leggings to wear under a tunic or shorts without all the material so you don’t get hot. But I don’t know if just anyone could pull it off. Maybe if we see it around a bit more…
faby
oh! it’s so 80’s! mmm but I guess i’ll not wear those… i’m not thin and I guess I’ll look fat
SONNIE
I REALY THINK THIS IS A CUT E TREND BUT NOT 4EVERYBODY..BECUZ I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF PPL ARE JUST GONNA WEAR THIS THE WRONG WAY BUT IF THE RIGHT PERSON WITH THE RIGHT CUT OFFS OR SUPER CHIC LOOSE-FITTING FLOWLY TOP paired WITH IT COULD WORK FOR ALL TYPE OF WOMEN BIG OR SMALL… so overall i luvv it.. :)
Channing
I actually have worn biker shorts under shorts. Not cutoffs though. They also look nice under mini skirts and mini dresses. I have short legs too, they look fine on me.
Caitlin
not so crazy about under the denim shorts. I don’t know if I’ll be trying this out but the middle look is pretty cute :)
kenzie
i tried on a pair of these with a skirt earlier in the summer and i really didnt like it…..i may have to pick up a cheap pair from charlotte russe or forever21, etc. and try on different stuff with them. at the very least i can wear them as pj bottoms.
Hannah from Hannah in Tennessee
yes! i just saw some of these at tjmaxx in the neon colors! i think ‘m going to run out an get them tomorrow!
Michelle
As a fashion statement, probably not (unless I was wearing them under a really short skirt or something), but as someone who wears a military uniform for her college’s military marching band, biker shorts and under armour are your best friends when it comes to not having your underwear show through white pants and to keep your collared shirt nice, tight, and crisp-looking when tucked into your pants. :D
la petite fashionista
love love love. so 90’s grunge cool. i like the look underneath denim shorts, and this would make a super easy DIY
ellie
I love it.
I’ve also seen them pulled off quite well by Stylish Wanderer on her blog, Chictopia, Teen Ugly and such.
Neon bike shorts under a long white slub tank looks very fresh and fun.
kay
i will be looking into this trend for back to school, deffinetley a trendy way to handle those chillier new england days in fall, and it would allow me to stand out from the crowd. i love the way krystal bick (from the middle picture) has been pulling the look off on her blog, its clearly a versatile piece. just spicing up an old classic, in my opinion.
Jennifer
I most certainly will NOT be wearing them. I’m sure they would make me much more self concious about my thighs, which I am already uncomfortable with.
I don’t think they would suit me.
Heather
I love the bike shorts under shorts look! I think they’d look super cute under a denim skirt as well. But I don’t think I would wear them with just a top, hehe.
Melissa Kay
yuck, no! =)
Lena Michelle
im not sure how they’d look on me, but i think it’s a creative new idea :D!
it’d be a fresh thing to try ;)
i personally don’t like the middle one though..
candice
lol totally :)
i don’t think EVERYTHING out of the ’80s was horrible!
when you have the bike shorts sort of peeking out from under a pair of denim shorts – that’s really cute layering!
bella christine
LOVE this trend! i wore them a couple times because I felt too self conscious to wear just shorts (it has been a long, lazy summer–legs are not in cut-off shape!) felt very comfortable and got lots of compliments. the ones with lace on the bottom look the cutest
Jess
Yes, I would definitely wear them with shorts. So cute
GoodLookingCorgi
My butt looks nice but not nice enough to be in bike shorts, especially with just bike shorts. Plus it looks a little bit ridiculous under another pair of shorts.
Bloodredthorn
Looks cute, I’d rock that if I lived somewhere warm
jlynn
Biker shorts are great for practical use but for fashion, I have to disagree. I know this trend was all over Alexander Wang’s runway but I personally think it’s hideous, especially under shorts. I mean…is it really necessary? I love ’80s trends, but this one seems more like a fad.
tessa
no. no no no no. i wouldn’t at all.
others could probably rock it, just not me.
Tiffany
I think leggings are cute on people other than myself and I absolutely love tights but this…
No.
Tacky.
Luinae
Only if I was doing yoga. I can’t see myself or anyone else pulling this off. NO
Sophie
No. I think they’re disgusting!
Lydia
bike shorts are good for indoor cycling classes, but not as tights….the length isn’t suitable….
Samantha
I think it’s really convenient trend, I have plenty of dresses that are a tad bit too short and the shorts extend my range of motion. I would say YES I love my biker shorts just not paired with cutoffs, just dresses that need it.
Cara
Well, being mostly a classic girl, my obvious answer should be no…but I have a retro-funky streak that really loves the lace ones! They’re a way to play with a look that’s more urban cool than I usually manage, while still having the girly touch. I definitely like them alone rather than under shorts; that IS too grunge. Btw, what is some people’s problem with just shorts or leggings on the bottom, esp. under a long top? It’s no worse than wearing shorty shorts alone, and I used to wear just bike shorts and leggings as a child and I loved them, so sleek but so comfortable (and we all know that’s a high fashion rarity).
Claire
Yes… on a bike.
Julie
i love the idea of pairing lacy bike shorts with a long top or a short dress, so cute.
rachelle
i just got a pair of these shorts in the mail from charlote russe (the ones you featured in your post with every day outfits) and they look super cute underneath denim shorts. for me, i only like the lace to peek out a little at the bottom, so my version is a little watered down, but i love it!
Brooke
Nooooo!! They look AWFUL underneath the shorts! The only picture that kind of works is the middle one…I could see them with a short dress or top but I think calf-length lace tights would be so much better anyway. God I hope this doesn’t become a wide-spread thing.
Allison
I’m not loving this one. They look kind of cheap, but maybe some people can pull it off. The way the middle girl’s wearing it looks cute.
Mici
No, I wouldn’t wear that!! I mean, it looks hot on some people (Taylor Momsen, Rihanna…) but not on me, for sure.
But if I had to, I would try to make it look like the picture on the right.
Keep up the good work with this blog!!
nishtha
da second looks really hot…
da bike shorts are your thing if you have the perfect toned thighs for them.
Heather
This is way cute! It definitely depends on how you wear it. I think I might try this out today when I go back to school shopping!
Jackie
Perhaps for undergarment purposes, but not as shorts.
Joy
Nope I won’t wear it :X Not my style at all
Mani
Hmm, I am on the fence about this trend for sure. It’s not for everyone and though I love the “motorcycle” style, I don’t think this one’s doing it for me. It’s definitely daring though yet tame enough for the everyday – girls can wear it and still look fashionable and edgy yet not over the top. I personally will stick to my lacy black leggings underneath my shorts :)
Aiko
I love biking shorts! i’d actually been wearing a pair with those skirts that were just a little bit too short but they look so great under shorts too! I love them- they’re like short leggings.
faye
I wear bike shorts… when I’m biking. For everyday wear it looks a bit trashy. I’ve already had enough of an eyefull of cameltoes and other unpleasantries from legging wearers, thanks.
Kate W
no… i dont like it… But maybe on bike :D
cris
love the look. anyone know where i can get some like the middle picture? especially looking for plus sizes
Holly
Eww. I guess the trashy trailer park look is back in style? (vomits)… sorry… no way… no one over the age of 12 should be tryin to rock this look. On a developed body it looks totally skanky…
zoey
i like the first one…sexy,but not wearing a bikini otop and cut-offs sexy more romantic pretty.
Haleigh
um no. way too 80s grunge for an outfit you might wear some place u wanna look put together
linda
It’s not my thing, but if you try it, you have to have an amazing body, especially legs, for a daring fashion like this.
Jeanie
i tried out this trend today. about 10 people asked “are you wearing spandex under your shorts?” i looked really cute though. :)
Marlena
I think it would look cute if you put a lacy pair under jean shorts, but that’s it.