Remember when Kim Kardashian West first sent the internet into a tizzy in her Yeezy bike shorts? I was definitely amongst the skeptics – like what in the Princess Diana ??  Fast forward to Naomi Campbell at the Off-White show and of course seeing tonnes of my fashion faves styling it in several different ways, and I was slowly getting used to seeing it as a look, but not necessarily something I would wear. (I’m sure you can see where this is headed)

It had started as a bit of a micro trend, but I wasn’t entirely sure it would still be around next season. Surprise, surprise and SS 2019 had a strong showing from both advanced contemporary and luxury brands with everyone from Fendi, Dior, Chanel, Nanushka, and Maryam Nassir Zadeh showing iterations of the look. That was the final straw, I was sold.  By the end of summer 2018 I’d become determined to try it out, I’m now happy to announce I am utterly obsessed with bike shorts—and here are my reasons why. They are valid I promise! Scroll to see some of the ways I styled it this summer, the aforementioned reasons and of course even more style inspo on how to wear it.

 

 

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Bike Shorts Are Super Comfortable.

It took a while for me to identify comfort as a seminal part of my style lexicon, I fought it tooth and nail because a huge part of me believes in effort. Elegance is refusal as Diana Vreeland once said, refusal to be sloppy, refusal to be ordinary. I finally figured out my formula – Daytime Isoken: Comfort (which is why athleisure is bae) and Nighttime/Event Isoken: Full on ‘glamazon’ – this is where my inner magpie comes out to play – feathers, sequins, sparkles you name it. Anyway I digress.

Bike shorts were an instant win because I could still feel very cute, but easily run errands or even transition to nighttime without breaking a sweat. For this look, I decided to go simple with a black longsleeve crewneck T-shirt and my trusty Adidas Stan Smith sneakers. I accessorised with a layered pendant necklace and skinny sunnies.

 

 

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Bike Shorts Are Unbelievably Versatile

 

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I can’t believe I’m saying this – but I’m starting to believe bike shorts are almost as versatile as denim. Crazy I know – but they go with virtually anything – From casual and sporty combinations to more dressed-up looks you might even wear out at night, the bike shorts can really do it all. Case in point? I paired black bike shorts with a tangerine print blouse for a summer party with EverydayPPL NYC and SUpafrik Toronto, and again with a longline Rococo blouse for some of my TIFF prep activities. Both looks are less sporty than a teeshirt, but it’s a perfect pairing for this trend and it’s effortless-but-make-it-fashion vibe.

 

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Bike Shorts Layer Incredibly Well

If you already layer like a pro, bike shorts are a no brainer. Here I leaned into the ’90s vibe with my sunglasses, and “dad” sneakers and juxtaposed the inherently casual vibe of the bike shorts and layered a mesh top on a graphic print  tee for a more statement-making effect.

Bike shorts are so much more than a wardrobe essential! Check out some of the dopest outfit inspo via these street style stars 

 

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Onyinye Azode

 

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Latasha Ngwube

 

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Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe

 

 

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Fisayo Longe

 

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Lisa Folawiyo