I Retired My Track Shorts Years Ago—Here's Why I'm Digging Them Out Again
Our take
The cyclical nature of fashion is rarely as straightforward as declaring something "out" only to resurrect it a few seasons later. Yet, the recent resurgence of track shorts – a silhouette many consciously retired years ago – exemplifies this perfectly. As Sara Holzman noted in The A-List Edit, trends are constantly evolving, and what was once considered casual or even unflattering can be reimagined with a fresh perspective. Irina Grechko’s observation that the sporty staple is making a comeback in 2026 isn't just about a single garment; it’s a reflection of a broader shift towards comfortable, yet elevated, aesthetics. The shift away from overtly structured silhouettes and towards a more relaxed, effortless style is clearly gaining momentum, as evidenced by Dakota Johnson’s embrace of a “vintage girl fall” aesthetic in a silk nightgown and suede bag Dakota Johnson Manifests Vintage Girl Fall in a Silk Nightgown and $3,450 Suede Bag. This isn’t about recreating the early 2000s; it’s about extracting the essence of sporty ease and integrating it into a more sophisticated, modern wardrobe.
The key to understanding this revival lies in the evolving definition of luxury. No longer is luxury solely defined by opulent materials and elaborate embellishments. Instead, it's increasingly associated with understated elegance, quality craftsmanship, and a sense of ease. The track short, when styled thoughtfully – perhaps paired with a tailored blazer or a flowing silk blouse – can embody this new paradigm. It’s about finding the balance between comfort and refinement, a concept that resonates deeply with the current cultural mood. This mirrors the thoughtful curation of pieces that appeal across generations, as highlighted in the article about Shopbop finds for sisters and mothers My Sister is 25, and My Mom is 60—These Pretty Shopbop Finds Will Satisfy Them Both. The ability to bridge generational style gaps is a testament to the enduring appeal of timeless silhouettes, reinterpreted for contemporary tastes. Even the upcoming Met Gala theme, “John Galliano: Horizons,” suggests a focus on expansive creativity and reimagining established concepts – a sentiment applicable to the return of the track short.
The cyclical nature of fashion is also influenced by a broader cultural context. After years of hyper-polished, highly curated social media aesthetics, there's a growing desire for authenticity and a rejection of performative perfection. Track shorts, in their inherent simplicity and practicality, represent a move away from the overly contrived and towards a more genuine expression of personal style. The focus shifts from projecting an image to embodying a feeling—a feeling of ease, confidence, and self-assuredness. This aligns with the introspective and emotionally-driven nature of modern style, where inner states are prioritized over external validation. The quiet confidence inherent in embracing a slightly unexpected silhouette like the track short speaks to a deeper sense of self-acceptance and a willingness to defy conventional norms.
Ultimately, the return of the track short isn't just a trend; it's a symptom of a larger cultural shift. It reflects a desire for comfort, authenticity, and understated luxury. The question now becomes: how will designers and stylists continue to evolve this silhouette, ensuring it remains both relevant and refined? Will we see elevated fabrics, unexpected pairings, or innovative tailoring that truly elevates the track short beyond its casual origins? It will be fascinating to observe how this seemingly simple garment continues to shape the landscape of modern fashion and, perhaps more importantly, the way we express ourselves through clothing.
Two weeks ago, you heard from Marie Claire style director Sara Holzman. She’s not the only new face stepping in for The A-List Edit while Halie is away. Hi, I’m Irina, MC’s new interim senior fashion news editor. For the next few months, along with other fashion editors, I’ll be here covering the celebrity style trends currently taking up space in our minds and, inevitably, our wardrobes. First up: gym shorts.
The World Cup may be over, but the sports-adjacent trend that exploded alongside it this summer is still going strong. In the past year, athletic shorts have appeared on an all-star roster of celebrities, including Olivia Wilde, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Forever the stylesetter, Zoë Kravitz gave an early masterclass in styling track shorts beyond the track when, last July, she paired classic black Adidas three-stripe shorts with a red T-shirt and heeled sandal mules.
But as someone who hadn’t paid much attention to gym or basketball shorts since I stopped running cross-country in high school, I remained skeptical. Could the item really work outside a workout? Fast-forward 12 months, and this summer’s celebrity outfits proved that the answer is yes.
Track Shorts, Off the Track
Athletic shorts are no longer limited to the nylon pairs you might wear for a morning run (though there are plenty of those around, too, if you’re leaning into the sportif trend). The latest versions come in everything from cotton twill and terrycloth to satin and taffeta, giving the sporty silhouette considerably more styling range than its humble roots may suggest.
While Kravitz first made a convincing case for wearing track shorts with heels, it was Ayo Edebiri—never one to shy away from an unexpectedly styled outfit or a daring red carpet look—who made me seriously reconsider the category. In the fall, The Bear star paired knee-length basketball shorts with a long-sleeve T-shirt, a sweater casually draped over her shoulders, and pointed-toe pumps. The shorts may have been court-ready, but the overall effect was city cool.
Satin and taffeta styles, in particular, are ripe for a celebrity-worthy elevation. In June, Zendaya test-drove a sunny yellow pair of boxer-style shorts, alongside a leather bomber, straight from the Louis Vuitton runway. Then, in July, Theron arrived at a photocall for The Odyssey wearing ice blue drawstring shorts with a silky button-down, blazer, and strappy stilettos. By that point, I was ready to hit “add to cart.”
How I Style It
As effortlessly cool as Kravitz makes athletic shorts look, my own style tends to lean more minimal. Unsurprisingly, I found myself drawn to the trend’s dressier interpretations.
I’m already a huge fan of Donni’s taffeta drawstring pants, which somehow make an easy, pull-on silhouette look far more refined than it actually is. So I immediately clocked the L.A. brand’s Silk Taffeta Racer Stripe Shorts. They come in versatile black, as well as softer cloud blue and mauve pink options, and strike exactly the balance I was looking for: relaxed but not overly sporty.
For their first outing, I borrowed from Theron’s styling formula, pairing the black shorts with an oversized short-sleeve button-down and a black blazer (which I would switch for a leather jacket, à la Hailey Bieber, in the fall). Since I was sporting the look for a lunch out, rather than something more formal like a photocall the office, I injected a pop of color with orange Prada kitten heels in a similarly lustrous fabric. To add an even more playful contrast to the more severe black-and-white palette, I’ve completed the look with Loewe’s pink balloon-like sunglasses.
The combination made the perfect warm-weather look that could go from a coffee meeting to happy hour to an alfresco dinner: dressed up on top, breezy on the bottom.
For a more off-duty approach, I pulled inspiration from Edebiri and wore the shorts with a cotton long-sleeve T-shirt and a cashmere sweater draped over my shoulders (for that nighttime breeze). Rather than heels, I finished the outfit with flat slingbacks. (Minimal flip-flops would work just as well, especially for a beachside or vacation setting.)
Before running out the door, I grabbed my current go-to tote bag, a collaboration between Big Night (my favorite food and entertaining store in New York City) and editor-favorite Parker Thatch, which I wear everywhere from the beach to the farmer’s market.
The result of bringing the athletic silhouette back into my wardrobe? I’m not quite ready to start running cross-country again. But wearing gym shorts off the field? That’s a sport I am starting to get behind.
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