What To Wear With Biker Shorts
With the rise of the athleisure trend, biker shorts and similar styles have come to the forefront of women’s fashion in the activewear world and beyond.
How do you choose the best biker shorts, and what sort of things should you style with them?
Today, our experts talk you through everything you need to know about the booming new style of biker shorts and athleisure attire in general. We’re breaking down every detail from practical concerns to fashion statements.
What Are Biker Shorts?
Biker shorts are fitted leggings that stop just below mid-thigh, rather than running the full length of the leg, and you’ll generally find them in high-rise styles. The style is available in a wide variety of materials but typically relies on a material with some form of flexibility.
They’re also for more than just cycling—biker shorts can be an essential part of your everyday wardrobe if you style them right. Versatile enough to wear with running shoes and boots or heels, a pair of biker shorts pairs just as well with your favorite cozy cardigan as with an oversized button-down shirt.
Biker shorts have risen tremendously in popularity, with the wave of athleisure attire sweeping the fashion world. While leggings hold the more traditional role as the athleisure essential, biker shorts have gained serious traction, particularly through the summer months.
As the cooler months roll in, biker shorts are holding on to their staying power—so you can bet they’re becoming an all-year style. With the highest-quality fabric and design, a pair of biker shorts can be your go-to for any workout, yoga class, or day of errands all year long.
Let’s talk about the features you need to look for to ensure you’re picking the best biker shorts available.
What Features Should My Biker Shorts Have?
At the heart of all the most essential features of a style is the fabric. Design and construction dictate some things, but nothing is more influential than the material—so that’s where we always start.
Let’s talk first about two of the most popular fabrics and why they’re not as ideal as you may have thought.
First up is traditional cotton. Best known for its soft feel, cotton is a classic fabric common in all spheres of fashion. However, cotton isn’t particularly good at moisture-wicking, and it’s inferior in terms of environmental sustainability.
Synthetic fibers are equally popular and perhaps even more problematic. Most synthetic fibers achieve a basic level of functionality, but only after chemical treatment that’s harmful to the environment and those who produce the material. Plus, these chemicals can have adverse effects on your body.
Many biker shorts on the market incorporate cotton along with synthetic fabrics. While this can achieve some moderate comfort and functionality, it does so at a high cost to the environment and with other immediate, practical downsides to you.
For a better alternative, begin with organic cotton. It’s one of the best-ranking materials on the market in terms of sustainability, without sacrificing the best parts of traditional cotton—namely, the soft touch.
Our favorite fabric, though, is bamboo. We’re willing to bet it will be yours soon, too.
Bamboo is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to pros, with basically no cons to boot. It has an array of all-natural features covering the essentials list, from a moisture-wicking and breathable surface to UPF 50+ sun protection and odor resistance.
It’s also one of the most environmentally friendly materials to produce, thanks to its fast-growing nature and low-water production processes.
When you choose bamboo, not only are you choosing practical for your own immediate needs, you’re also making the best choice for the earth and the people around you as well.
Let’s dive a little deeper into some of the most important features needed in any pair of biker shorts.
Moisture Wicking
Whether or not you plan on taking your biker shorts through intense activities, moisture-wicking is still a must-have.
Moisture-wicking is a fabric’s ability to draw moisture, such as sweat, from your skin and draw it to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate. This is instrumental in keeping you dry through whatever your day brings—a big step in helping protect your natural thermoregulatory processes (which we talk about more below).
Superior Breathability
Another key player in keeping you cool is breathability, a fabric’s capability for air circulation through gaps in the fibers.
Bamboo excels in this regard, with ideal micro gaps between every fiber. Not only does this increase airflow, but it also helps reduce chafing when combined with moisture-wicking properties.
Breathability is important for practical reasons and personal, as it works wonders when keeping you comfortable. Few things kill comfort faster than a layer that chokes out the air and leaves your skin suffocating, particularly over extended periods of wear.
Choose shorts that will stay comfortable and perform at the highest level all day by choosing fabric with superior breathability.
4-Way Stretch
When it comes to tightly fitted styles like biker shorts, stretch capability is non-negotiable. Thanks to the natural stretch capabilities of bamboo, you don’t need to settle for synthetic fibers to get the stretch you need.
Whether you’re getting shorts for bike rides and runs or just easy evenings hanging out with friends, unhindered range of movement is essential for comfort and performance.
Temperature Regulation
Thermoregulation is the process by which your body naturally keeps itself at a balanced temperature, protecting you from the dangers of overheating and freezing.
While your body is the one really doing work, it’s easy for clothes with the wrong material and design to inhibit thermoregulatory processes. That’s why it’s so important to choose the highest-quality material and the most intentional designs.
What Can I Wear With My Biker Shorts?
Now that you know how to choose the best biker shorts, it’s time we share our style that brings every essential to the table in a super stylish look with multiple colors available.
That style is our Allways Pocket Bike Short. With these shorts at the foundation of your outfit, you could make just about anything work—they’re that good. With side pockets, a high waist, and just the right amount of compression, these shorts are the perfect combo of comfortable and chic.
Let’s talk about how to style biker shorts and create these bike short outfits you’ve been seeing all over social media.
Sports Bras
Bike shorts and sports bras are basically soulmates. They were made for each other.
With the rise of athleisure styles, sports bras are becoming more and more popular as an independent top for any casual occasion.
With a whole range of colors and styles available in our Allways Sports Bra to go with our Allways Pocket Bike Shorts, you can match or mix to your heart’s content, creating a whole closet with just a few essential pieces that you’ll want to wear every day.
Tank Tops
Looking for a little more coverage than a sport’s bra, but not quite ready to stop showing off the arms you’ve been working on? Our Nola Tank may be just the thing.
Another versatile staple of the athleisure trend, Tasc Performance tank tops offer a casual look combined with serious performance capability. Plus, layer an oversize blazer or a denim jacket on top, add a chic pair of sneakers or sandals, and you’ve got a look reminiscent of ’80s and ‘90s style icons.
T-Shirts
If sleeves are more your thing or you want a little more variety amongst your essential tops, an oversized t-shirt also pairs well with biker shorts—from graphic tees to fitness tops.
Our Nola Fitness T-Shirt is the number one go-to, while our Longline T-Shirt offers a slightly looser take in a fashionable style. Whether you choose a crop top or an oversized tee, just slide on a pair of sunglasses, and you’ve got one killer outfit idea.
Sweatshirts
Long sleeves and shorts are a great athleisure look, especially when those sleeves are part of a cozy outer layer like our Varsity Sweatshirt. An oversized hoodie is also the perfect batch for a pair of bike shorts—and it doesn’t even have to be a matching set to give you the sleek look you’re going for. This look is reminiscent of Princess Diana, so look to her for outfit inspiration.
Have no fear—Tasc Performance sweatshirts are built for equal parts comfort and performance. You can take your sweatshirt beyond the couch, out on a run, or to the gym—perfect for pairing with biker shorts.
Our Varsity Crop Hoodie is also a perfect pairing, as something ready to handle the elements or colder weather, or just for a different look.
Quarter Zips
Outer layers don’t have to stop at hoodies and sweatshirts. A cute quarter zip brings a classic tennis vibe to any outfit.
Our Recess Quarter Zip with a pair of Allways Pocket Bike Shorts makes for an on-trend, comfortable outfit that you’ll want to wear all week. With our bamboo-organic cotton blend, this jacket is ready for activity of any intensity.
Conclusion
When it comes to athleisure styles, biker shorts are on the rise, and they’re not looking back. With our expert-written guide on all things biker shorts and how to style there, you’re ready to keep up with the trends—and maybe even get ahead.
To stay up to date on all the athleisure trends and much more, stay tuned here at Tasc Performance.
Sources:
What is Sustainability? | UCLA