The past year has drawn us closer to sartorial comfort than ever. We’ve prioritised a combination of practicality and beauty in our wardrobes (case in point: matching pastel-hued tracksuits and tie-dye sweat shorts), our demand for loungewear has grown and our favourite fashion retailers have served up exactly what we’ve asked for. Read: something loose-fitting, super soft and with an elasticated waistband.
Cast your minds back to summer 2020 and cycling shorts were *everywhere*, because they fit the bill so damn well. Paired perfectly with a vintage tee, a silk shirt or an influencer-adored Orseund Iris top, they were cool, comfy and the perfect daily walk attire. Sure, they’re still big news for the 2021 season (this time often adorned in animal print), but they’ve been joined by another shorts trend. Enter: knitted shorts. The cosy garment that is literally all over my Instagram feed right now.
Knitted shorts have been brought back to life from the seventies by luxury fashion houses like Jaquemus and Salvatore Ferragamo, who are each serving up their own unique spin on the trend: from bright jewel-coloured knitted shorts to knitted shorts in neutral tones. And the high street is following suit. Need proof? Mango’s blue knitted shorts are proving super popular on site right now (the perfect way to test the waters with the trend), while & Other Stories’ cable knit shorts are selling with speed.
Yep, the term “shorts” might be a *bit* of a stretch… many styles look a bit more like knickers than their counterparts with higher coverage. But we’re obsessed all the same.
How to style them? Follow in the footsteps of Lucy Williams and pair them with an oversized poplin shirt or linen shirt. Others are teaming them with matching knitted bralettes and cardigans a la Katie Holmes and Grece Ghanem.
If you needed further justification for a mid-Spring knitted treat, remember this: knitted shorts won’t only be your best friend over the summer months, but will take you seamlessly into next winter, too. And any short which can be worn poolside, then as a comfortable bottom-half of your evening dinner outfit and then on a Netflix-packed winter evening with your favourite hoodie and slippers gets our vote.
Are you a lover or a hater?
