It’s time to talk about cycling shorts. This may usually be followed with a conversation about sporting activities, but it’s not the practical kind of Lycra’s we’re interested in. The likes of Dolce and Gabbana and Nina Ricci put the somewhat unlikely pieces on the catwalk for SS18, and it only took a hot minute for models Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner to wear them, and Kim Kardashian to make them part of her every day ‘popping to the shop’ wardrobe.

While we assumed they were a passing summer fad, it seems we were mistaken. And this autumn has seen Chanel, Roberto Cavalli and Fendi (to name just a few) put cycling shorts back on the runway for their SS19 showcases, which suggests they’re going to be sticking around for next year, too.

Chanel went for printed pairs down Karl Lagerfeld’s dreamy beach set catwalk, while Fendi made a point of about incorporating their cycling shorts into utility chic: think structured shirts, sheer jackets and belt bags. Roberto Cavalli went one step further and made the stretchy shorts suitable for eveningwear by teaming them with sequins and fringed tops. 

With so many versions springing up all over fashion month, it’s no surprise Tagwalk has reported ‘cycling pants’ as one of the most searched for terms for SS19 with a 127% increase on last year. 

Whether everyone is searching for how to style cycling shorts (or are simply googling to find out why they are everywhere), it seems as though this athleisure trend will be part of our capsule for the foreseeable. 

Check out how the street style elite styled theirs (with lots of over-sized shirts, tees and blazers) below. 

 If you do want to get ahead of one of next season’s biggest trends then you can shop them at Topshop for £12, below. Or, you know, wait another season and reconsider the options. 

Disco cycling shorts, £12, Topshop

Images: Getty

Words: Harriet Davey