The Best Biker Shorts For Layering This Season

I spent one whole summer naively believing that biker shorts were only for going to the gym and nowhere else. It’s honestly one of the stupidest opinions I’ve ever had considering how often I now find myself reaching for them everything. The best ones have the right compressive feel without actually digging into your thigh, a length that hits mid thigh as opposed to riding shockingly down into knicker territory every time you sit down, and a matte finish because let’s be real that shiny cycling short material screams gym car park, not dinner out.
What makes them worth investing in as a layering staple rather than just something to fill your gym drawer are the waistbands. Flat and wide ones that don’t roll or dig into your skin mean you can wear them under a slip dress, a oversized shirt or jumper without any weird ridge showing under the material, which is kind of the point. Under a slightly too short dress they instantly fix the whole sitting down dilemma, no more awkward fidgeting around or tugging at hemlines when you’re stuck in a restaurant chair. Under an oversized blazer with nothing else on your bottom half they look considered not like you’ve just forgotten to wear any trousers.

Style wise I’d personally team them with chunky boots and a long cardigan for some chalk on wood wallpaper vs. actually looking like you’ve made an effort, or under a slip skirt that splits down the side. That’s the combo that actually had my sister staring and asking where I got mine from. They also look great with an oversized football style shirt, tied super loosely at the waist, socks pulled up, trainers on and ready to conquer wherever you’re spending your weekend. Festivals, a day at the footy, a long hike where there’s probably not going to be anywhere to sit.

Where they truly come into their own is wardrobe transition seasons, that couple of months where it’s too cold for bare legs but warm enough that tights seem like giving up. Worn under a short skirt or dress with bare ankles and boots they provide the coverage without leaving that tell tale tight line at the top of your boot where your skin stops and your tights start, which always looks a little bit wrong. They’re also your new best friends for travel days; comfortable for hours on a plane sitting down, but discreet enough that no-one will realise your wearing essentially loungeewear under your ‘proper’ outfit.