It was about a month into stay-at-home orders when I began to look at my wardrobe from a different perspective. I found myself spending more time sorting through dresser drawers than hangers in my closet. The sneaker collection — three pairs of New Balances, some running shoes, and every neutral color that Converse offers for Chuck Taylors — that usually resides under my bed was, too, getting more use than ever before. As a result, I discovered something about myself: I never again want to wear anything besides home shorts — an athletic-pajama short hybrid — that I’ve been living in during quarantine.
Since my lightbulb moment back in April, I’ve noticed that: (1) home shorts are everywhere right now, and (2) the range of options for a good pair of elastic or drawstring short-shorts à la Patagonia Baggies is far more diverse than I remember it being BQ (before quarantine). It’s not all Outdoor Voices and Lululemon. Alexander Wang makes them, too. (Bonus: his look like men’s boxers, another popular trend to come out of quarantine.) So does iets frans…, aka Urban Outfitters’ cool kid line of affordable tie-dye loungewear.
The real discovery here, though, wasn’t just that home shorts make for a great lounging companion. Instead, it was the realization that, with the right styling, they can also be pretty stylish. I, for instance, like to pair mine with crew socks, loafers, and an oversized button-down shirt. I’ve seen others dress them up with a prairie top and kitten heels (a look likely inspired by none other than Carrie Bradshaw circa Season 3), or down with a tie-dye sweatshirt and sneakers. House shorts even pair well with blazers — but at that end, what doesn’t these days?
To make my case, I scoured Instagram to find some fashion-forward ways to wear house shorts this summer. See what resulted from my search and shop the quarantine trend by clicking through the slideshow ahead.
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Black Track Shorts
All your black running shorts need, to go from utility to fashion, is a big, white button-down, a gold chain, and a black bow to tie your hair up with.
Les Girls Les Boys Womens Nylon Shorts, $, available at Les Girls Les Boys
All in Motion Plus Size Stretch Woven Shorts 4″, $, available at Target
Oak + Fort Short 6595, $, available at Oak + Fort
Boxer Shorts
Business on top, bedtime on the bottom. Who would’ve thought BQ that boxers could be paired with a blazer, a sweater, and a silk neck scarf and look totally ordinary, if not extraordinary?
ALEXANDERWANG.T Blue Logo Boxer-Style Shorts, $, available at SSENSE
Girlfriend Cocoa Gazelle Short, $, available at Girlfriend
iets frans Poplin Jogger Short, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Athletic Shorts
The perfect look that we’ll be borrowing for our next hike.
Nike Plus-Size Tempo Women’s Running Shorts, $, available at Nike
lululemon Tracker Short V 4″, $, available at lululemon
Outdoor Voices Relay Shorts, $, available at Outdoor Voices
The Fashion Short
Wearing gym shorts all day can make you feel like a kid again. Add some heels and a great handbag when you want to be brought back into adulthood.
Ganni Printed Cotton Poplin Shorts, $, available at Ganni
Polo Ralph Lauren Woven Running Shorts, $, available at Farfetch
The Source Unknown Elastic Shorts, Fuchsia Pink, $, available at The Source Unknown
Cute & Comfy Shorts
If you’ve ever wondered what the best outfit is for walking your dog during a pandemic, this is it — with a mask, too, of course.
Pangaia Lightweight Recycled Cotton Shorts, $, available at Pangaia
Patagonia Barely Baggies Short, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Collusion Nylon Sports Short, $, available at ASOS
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