Would You Wear

Would You Wear Bike Shorts?

Monday, Jun 8, 2009 / 4:55 PM

alexander wang resort 09.jpgThe last time I wore bike shorts, I was ten and they were neon green and purple paired with a clashing bikini top.
I have a pretty vivid memory of catching crabs in the San Francisco marina and throwing sand on a boy – so maybe I’m having this reaction to their resurgence because it’s the first time I have to say, “Well, if I wore it once, I probably can’t wear it again.”
But I cannot believe how many pairs of spandex bike shorts I saw this weekend. Despite grumbling hints of their return—they popped up on runways and in a few editorials—it’s one of those trends you really have to see in person to believe.
It stopped raining long enough for everyone to break out the spring outfits they’ve been dying to wear and for so many that meant either a baggy band shirt with shiny spandex shorts, super-short floral dress with shiny spandex shorts and in one case – near the baseball fields in Central Park – a crop top over shiny spandex shorts.
But even if everyone from Alex Wang to Dov Charney tell you they’re the coolest thing around, are you actually going to wear them?


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Comments [41]

I would def. wear bike shorts just to try it out. I would go vintage Agassi and wear it under my tennis dress. Like a lacoste dress.

love this, as long as its not shiny.

I would!! just without the “sponge” they have on the bottom :P!

Definitely!!

a resounding hellll no

I never thought I’d say this, but Yes! Especially with super short dresses, as mentioned above. It’s an alternative to the tired old leggings, at least. (Sorry, Lilo.)
I know they say if you wore it the first time around, you shouldn’t when it comes back, but I was 11 the last time, so I hardly think that counts.
Here’s to taking risks! :)
xoxo
KateDarling.blogspot.com

Yes, but only because it means you can let the Spanx show without embarrassment.

I’ve been wearing them since I was 16. I’m now 20. They are great. I wear them under short dresses or long tee-shirts.

i believe it because I’ve been wanting some! i guess Alexander Wang can read my mind.

no. absolutely not. too easy to go wrong — camel toe, flat ass made flatter, general ickiness . . .

Aren’t they pretty much like short-short leggings, which people wear under shirts and dresses anyway?
I have huge thighs – it wouldn’t work.

I have a pair of black American Apparel opaque bike shorts that I wear pretty much all the time with tunics, long t-shirts, and short dresses. I wear them to exercise. I wear them in the morning when I don’t want to think about what I’m going to wear.
Not what I would call trendy or whatever, but they’re good to have around.

i would throw sand at the boy if I caught crabs, too…

haha, my thoughts exactly 13. but yeah, i might wear bike shorts..i love the way the model looks.

no no no no no no. the models at alexander wang spring 09 looked 20 pounds larger than they actually are. that is twenty pounds that i (in contrast) do NOT need.

Bike shorts have been worn in a chic-edgy way for at least the past 5 years now. (Post Saved By the Bell era) It’s nothing new! At least for me. It’s a great way to avoid “va-jay-jay sneak peeks” by creeps on the subway while wearing your cute summer dresses.
For all those who wear leggings as pants, it’s a great summer alternative, but more acceptable.
It kills me when pieces of clothing have to be commanded as “the cooliest thing” to be worn for it to be safe. Come on fellow New Yorkers, step up your game! Biker shorts are not a risk.

have linked to this site from another site and vow never to do so again – i have a real job and do not spend my day fretting about things like bike shorts. all you fashion bitches are idiots for spending your time and money on these endeavors.

lol. hey fashion bitches, isn’t this like the most popular fashion blog, like, um, ever?
i think #17 is hilarious for soooo many reasons.
good job linking to the site, clicking on one post and scrolling through so you could make a snarky comment after 16 others.
:)

No.

i think “Fashion Bitches” needs to be made into a legitimate career/occupation description. imagine what ta write-offs we could have with that. ha!
so, as a definite fashion bitch i just can’t believe i’m saying this but i looove the model in a shot to this post. it appears she’s wearing sheer shorts which is something i would absolutely try. never occurred to me to do a sheer short under a summer dress as opposed to a legging… although i have a feeling this might be a tough look to pull off with a flat shoe unless your legs are suuuper long. but with a heel, i think i’m going for it.

*tax write-offs* i apologize my XXX is not really working

I wear them under my mini dresses all the time. Have been doing it for a while now..

I hate to say this, but #17 is probably a bitter, secret-internet-fattie.

Ive been living in bike shorts for about 10 months now. They are seriously handy. I wear them:
- On their own with oversized, but grazing tees/tanks
- With the tops mentioned above, and also tights (for winter)
- Underneath cutoffs that would be a bit too skanky on their own.
- Underneath short dresses and skirts (for securitY)
- Underneath tight shorter dresses that otherwise tend to ride up.
Try them! you will be converted!

if dov charney tells me to wear something then i run as far away as my non bike short clad legs will take me.

Just bought a pair on sale…can’t wait until its actually warm enough in boston to wear them

wine coloured with simple dark blue shift dress sitting just below the ass and 2 inches of grey along the dress’s hem. i’m there

Hi,
No way would I wear these or harem pants. I did it all the first time around!!

ABSOLUTELY NOT! you must be joking…

I wore these in the 80s and I look at pictures of myself and laugh. I think I’d prefer to look at pictures of myself in my late-20s and not cringe. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Hideous.

LOL. # 17! I have 2 master’s degrees and a real job, and I deserve to ponder the necessity of bike shorts, lipstick brands, and fashion bitch-ism!
That said, NEVER again. I wore them for years as a teen, and I still feel them riding up! Those mini bike shorts to the gym are ok, but the thigh high ones don’t work on my legs.

I love how dreamecho wore hers…and in so many ways!!
http://hello-dreamecho.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-want-to-ride-my-bicycle-i-want-to.html
-Laika

I think my 80′s ones may still be in a drawer somewhere,I haven’t felt like getting them out yet for no other reason than that I haven’t needed them. never say never, fashion fascism is sooo unbecoming.

i don’t think i like it. kinda weird.
i haven’t come to a definite conclusion yet though. I can see some purpose.
i never wore them in the 80s, maybe i was too young?

as a substitute for tights or short leggings, yeah, i totally would wear these. but not in a spandex-under-the-soccer-shorts insecure kind of way. maybe just with a jean skirt.

I like the lace ones at http://caroline.feber.se
but I’m not so into the ones at http://hello-dreamecho.blogspot.com
I don’t think I will be wearing any but it’s nice on others.

ID WEAR BIKE SHORTS
hottt.
lol i but a pair kinda like that from
H&M yesterdayyyy

I totally think #17 is a fat lady who hates these blogs so much but can’t stop herself from seeing them…
hahaha loser!

I was gonna say NO,
Until I looked at #27′s link.
I can’t believe i’m saying this, but they look surprisingly chic.

love bike shorts!! they can look chic with oversized shirts orsuper short dresses. love them!