The Track Shorts Edit

The sporty little short taking over my summer wardrobe

Every summer has a short. Not officially, of course. No one sends an email. But suddenly you start seeing the same silhouette everywhere until you realize something is happening. A few summers ago, it was boxer shorts. Then came the long denim short. And now? Track shorts.

Before you roll your eyes, I know. The phrase track shorts sounds deeply unchic. Like middle school P.E. or something you accidentally packed for sleepaway camp in 2003. Not exactly aspirational. And yet, somewhere between fashion’s obsession with sporty dressing, the collective rejection of hard pants, and everyone trying to look effortless without actually sacrificing style, they became one of the coolest things you can wear. Which is funny because, on paper, I should hate them.

I’m not particularly sporty. I haven’t run a track since high school. And in theory, a tiny nylon short feels like something I’d avoid entirely. But lately, every time I save an outfit on Instagram or stop on someone’s look while scrolling, there they are. Paired with an oversized button-down. A leather sandal. A tiny tank. A vintage sweatshirt. Suddenly the whole thing feels less “athletic” and more off-duty in a way that suggests you have very good taste.

The thing about track shorts is they somehow make an outfit feel cooler while looking like you tried less. They hit this sweet spot of sporty, nostalgic, and slightly undone that feels very right for right now. A little borrowed-from-the-boys. A little old-school athletic department. A little wealthy-woman-on-vacation-who-only-packs-elevated-basics.

Case in point: during my recent virtual styling session with Reva, we ended up styling a pair of my blue track shorts in a way I honestly never would have thought to wear on my own. Which, if I’m being honest, is usually the sign that something has real staying power in my closet. Not because it’s trendy, but because it suddenly unlocks multiple outfits I actually want to wear.

We paired them with pieces I already owned and somehow they went from ‘cute sporty short’ to something that felt very cool-girl-off-duty. Slightly undone, slightly borrowed-from-the-boys, but still intentional. It also made me realize that track shorts work best when you style them in contrast. Sporty with polished. Casual with structured. Tiny short, oversized shirt. You get the idea.

If you missed the styling session, you can watch it here:

Track shorts also somehow manage to solve one of summer dressing’s greatest dilemmas: how to look put together when it’s offensively hot outside. Because denim shorts, while timeless, can start feeling… aggressive by August. Linen wrinkles instantly. Dresses require commitment. But a tiny sporty short with an oversized shirt and great accessories? Weirdly chic. Weirdly flattering. Weirdly practical.

And maybe this is just me, but there’s something inherently cool about dressing like you could be athletic without ever actually needing to prove it. So naturally, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole. Below, the pairs currently sitting in my cart, on my mood board, or mentally assigned to a future version of myself who definitely drinks green juice after Pilates.

The Elevated Ones

For when you want the ease of a track short but still want the outfit to feel expensive.

• DONNI. | Striped Silk Taffeta Mini Shorts
  The coastal cool-girl version of a track short. Slightly polished, slightly sporty, and begging to be worn with an oversized white button-down and The Row sandals.

• CHRISTOPHER ESBER | Droplet Crystal Track Shorts
  Proof that even track shorts can have a hot-girl personality. The crystal detail somehow makes these feel impossibly chic.

• SAINT LAURENT | Technical Jogger Short
  Very model-off-duty-at-the-airport energy. Effortless, expensive, and somehow cooler the less you style them.

• TORY BURCH | Nylon Shorts
  Sporty with a polished twist. Feels like something you’d throw on at a luxury resort and somehow look impossibly pulled together in.

• COPERNI | Track Short
  Sleek, minimal, and slightly futuristic. For the girl whose basics always feel more fashion than everyone else’s.

• PRADA | Re-Nylon High-Rise Shorts
  The luxury track short. Clean, sporty, and the kind of thing that makes a white tank look intentional.

The Fashion Person Picks

The ones that make strangers ask, “Wait… where are those from?”

• BODE | Satin Gym Shorts
  Vintage gym class, but make it fashion. Feels nostalgic in the best possible way.

• A.L.C. | Camden Tie Waist Shorts
  Slightly more structured than your average sporty short, for when you want ease without fully committing to casual. Also obsessed with the color.

• CIAO LUCIA | Bibbi Red Begonia Silk Short
  The print alone on these buttery silk beauties feels like vacation. Stole these from Hannah Allen’s latest roundup.

• TANNER FLETCHER | Ruched Lace Stripe Track Shorts
  Unexpected, slightly theatrical, and very fashion-person coded. Definitely not your average sporty short.

• SEA | Claira Shorts
  A softer, more romantic take on the trend. Feels very “I shop at boutiques you’ve never heard of.”

The Sporty-Preppy Ones

For the girls who actually do Pilates. Or at least dress like they do.

• SPORTY & RICH | Signature Logo Terry Short
  The sporty-rich-girl uniform. Throw on with a crew sock and oversized sweatshirt and call it a day. Emily Oberg can do no wrong!

• HORSE | The Short Short
  Tiny, sporty, confident.

• HUMAN BY NATURE | National Team Nylon Shorts
  Feels under-the-radar (and very Courtney - coded) in the best way. Slightly vintage athletic energy without looking costume-y.

• SPLITS59 | Ella Airweight Track Shorts
  Made for movement but cute enough for coffee after. A workout short that actually works outside the gym.

• LOVERS AND FRIENDS | Adina Short
  Sporty meets vacation. Easy, flattering, and feels made for a beach town weekend.

• ADIDAS | Firebird Classic Shorts
  An actual classic. Slightly nostalgic, slightly cool-girl-in-Copenhagen energy.

The Everyday Ones

The pairs you’ll actually wear over and over again.

• STAUD | Anchor Piped Cotton-Blend Shorts
  Slightly preppy, slightly sporty. Feels very East Coast summer in a way I can’t explain. I have the red and wear religiously.

• AMAZON | Track Shorts
  The insanely affordable wildcard. Shockingly good for the price and perfect if you’re trend-curious.

• GAP | 2.5” Track Shorts
  Simple, classic, and cool. The kind you buy in multiple colors (I have red and black) without meaning to.

• ALEX MILL | Coco Track Short in Cotton
  Easy, effortless, and somehow makes basics feel cooler.

• ABERCROMBIE & FITCH | High Rise Satin Track Short
  Honestly? Chic. The satin fabric makes these feel a little more elevated than your average sporty short.

• DAILY DRILLS | Thermal Striped Shorts
  Feels very off-duty wellness girl. Cute enough to style, comfortable enough to actually live in. Get the green while still in stock (they launched today!!)

Anyway, consider this your warning that the tiny sporty short has officially entered the chat. I plan to wear mine exactly as intended: to coffee, to errands, to vacation, and absolutely nowhere near a track.

P.S. If you’ve already found the pair, send them my way because I fear this may become my entire personality until September. Ta ta for now!