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This summer in New York City, the breakout item that all the downtown cool kids are wearing is not some designer shoe or rare vintage bag but the humble gym short. Yes, really! Just the other day, I spotted several striped Adidas gym shorts over in Dimes Square, some of them paired with dressy button-up shirts or snazzy socks and loafers. The new look of summer 2025? It’s all about dressing like a gym rat, whether or not you’ve ever stepped foot inside an overpriced Equinox. Needless to say, I am totally captivated by this sporty new styling approach.
Celebrities have been very much on board with the saucy little gym short. Just earlier today, Zoë Kravitz paired tiny black gym shorts with a Black History Month tee and heeled mules while stepping out of the Bowery Hotel in New York. Hailey Bieber has worn an itty-bitty blue style, pairing it with a leather bomber jacket (her signature piece), and Harry Styles has color-blocked his red shorts with a mustard yellow sneaker.
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During the spring 2026 menswear shows, a number of street style stars were also spotted giving the athletic bottoms a more formal spin—a move we saw on the catwalks, too, like when Willy Chavarria showed his elongated silky gym shorts (an Adidas collaboration) with a matching track jacket. Gym shorts on the runway? Very protein chic.
So, why the sudden explosion of gym shorts, you may ask? For starters, they’re super affordable, to say nothing of being practical and comfortable in the warm summer months. Gym shorts are quite literally built to move around in—just the thing when taking five steps outside can feel like running a marathon. Shvitzing in a heavy cotton or nylon short instead? No thanks.
There is also a cool nonchalance to the gym short, especially when juxtaposed with a smart button-up or dressier shoe. And the super-bright hues they come in? Perfect for injecting any look with a dash of color and personality.
Fashion loves an unexpected combination, so it was only a matter of time before the pragmatic gym shorts got a more fashion-forward twist. At a time when humble flip-flops and tanks are ruling trends, the rise of the gym short feels apropos. This year is all about finding pieces to make your fancy outfits more chill. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a go! The next time you’re racking your brain trying to come up with a hip heat-wave fit, just remember to pair a fancier top with your go-to gym shorts, and you’ll instantly have a fresh vibe. Bonus points if you actually make it to the gym that day!
