Windbreaker Shorts Are Having A Moment — These Are The 最佳

Story from Fashion Windbreaker Shorts Are Having A Moment — These Are The Best Ruby Ford-Dunker Last Updated July 29, 2026 5:43 PM See All Slides Begin Slideshow

The revival of windbreaker shorts was not on my 2026 bingo card, but alas, they’ve become a pillar of athleisure. First popularized in the ’80s and ’90s, the lightweight, swishy bottoms were known for bold, color-blocked designs reserved for the gym. Still, it wasn’t long before style icons like the Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw

pushed the boundaries, wearing the silhouette with kitten heels and a crop top.

A similar reinvention is unfolding now, with It girls putting a fashion-forward spin on the nostalgic briefs, which take their name from their jacket counterpart. Oversized T-shirts, designer handbags, sculpting corsets, and sleek flats

are becoming a natural extension of sprinter shorts — and while you’re bound to spot an abundance of hot pants in the park, you'll also start finding them on city streets, in airports, and potentially at a casual happy hour.

"In general these shorts are part of a much broader movement where athletic pieces are being re-contextualized through unexpected styling, whether that's with tailoring, feminine separates, or vintage accessories. It's less about dressing for the game and more about borrowing the energy that sport represents," stylist and Depop trends spokesperson

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson tells Refi