It's Going to Be a Track Shorts Summer

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As someone who spent exactly one day on the cross country team in middle school and has since done everything in her power to avoid running, I haven’t had a huge need for track shorts in my life. That is, until now. The fashion crowd has put forth an idea I can absolutely get behind: wearing the sporty garment for everyday purposes in addition to — or insteadof — working out: Running errands! Social engagements! Even (if you work in a relatively chill, non-corporate environment) the office!

Athletic shorts are breezy, lightweight, sweat-wicking and comfy. They can also be colorful and delightfully unserious. In other words, they’re the perfect summer outfit staple. Or, as Ethan Glenn, founder and creative director of Every Other Thursday, puts it: “No rules in fashion — especially when it’s 100 degrees out. Wear whatever you want.” But styling does play an important role in dressing up track shorts for less active occasions. In street style, we’ve spotted them paired with oversized blazers, knee-high boots, penny loafers with preppy socks, heels, trench coats, cropped cardigans and designer bags.

“I think people are getting sick of leggings, both from a comfort perspective and a style one, and they’re moving towards looser fitting clothes. They look better for working out, and for non-athletic purposes, too,” says Sue Williamson, founder of activewear brand H-O-R-S-E. “My uniform lately is some sort of pretty white blouse, track shorts and white Tabi slingbacks. We just made a white version of the [H-O-R-S-E] mini shorts and I’ve been doing those with a navy sweater and loafers, à la Harrison Ford at the du Cap.” (Editor’s note: Just… yes.)

Harrison Ford at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.

Photo&colon; Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Glenn similarly suggests styling sport shorts with a loose dress shirt and a soft loafer or “chic sandals, like a huarache. I also like a slim sneaker and a chunky knit,” he notes.

Both founders classify their brands’ shorts as unisex, and say they see all genders getting in on the trend, with a pretty equal split between men and women buying them. “I think clothes that are simple and easy to wear on any body always do well,” says Glenn. Some brands have begun making gussied-up versions of athletic shorts, too: Chan Luu offers a taffeta pair while Sea NY and Mother Denim both created styles embellished with embroidery and patches.

As for what led to the recent rise of the stylish track short, Williamson has a rather specific hunch: “I suspect the trend (like many cool active trends) started or picked up steam at Sky Ting in New York. I always practice there when I’m in town and love seeing what people wear to class, and how they style it as they walk out. It never feels forced, always feels cool, and Krissy [Jones, the studio’s founder] has probably been doing the track short thing longer than anybody,” she notes.

Ahead, see (and shop!) our favorite track shorts of the moment.