Women's sports shorts - what to wear with them?
There are at least three stories about the origin of shorts. One of them says that a type of shortened clothing for the legs appeared in Bermuda, where, due to the humid subtropical climate, English military colonizers began to cut their trousers three centimeters above the knee. The new military uniform turned out to be quite viable.
This is how "bermudas" appeared - elongated shorts of a loose cut. Later they began to be sewn commercially. And thanks to the efforts of designers who could not pass by an unusual and practical thing, shorts quickly transformed into popular formats of casual and sportswear. Their peak of popularity came in the 60-70s of the last century. Since then and to this day, the shorts collection has expanded annually, showcasing stunning product lines from leading manufacturers of sports and activewear.
The popularity of shorts is in their convenience and the unique images they give. It is comfortable to walk, run, ride a bike, relax, stroll, in general, do absolutely any activity in shorts. A thing from a sports, denim, beach or glamorous series successfully emphasizes the advantages of the figure and creates an interesting image due to the variability of the cut. The women's range includes dozens of interesting options, from loose shorts to tight cropped ones with a length above the knee. It is not surprising that they have gained such popularity. But today we will talk about the most comfortable and most popular series of this clothing - sports shorts. From the publication you will learn:
- What are the main styles?
- What are sports shorts made of?
- Technologies for maximum comfort.
- Length of women's sports shorts.
- Popular colors.
- What to wear with women's sports shorts - examples of looks.
In any sports collection you can find your own version of shorts, without limiting yourself in the choice of style, texture of the material, technology, length and colors of the products. Perhaps we will start with the style.
WOMEN'S SPORTS SHORTS: BASIC STYLES
If we do not take into account the style direction, then all shorts are divided into two main types: casual and sports. The first should be fashionable, stylish and fit well. The task of the second is maximum comfort, which cannot be sacrificed for the sake of fashion. Therefore, in the design of sports shorts there are practically no fittings and decor, all seams are flat, and only sports (high-tech) knitwear is used as a material.
Whatever sport you take, each has its own shorts: basketball, swimming, fitness, tennis, cycling, boxing, gymnastics, running... By the way, there are also several types of running shorts (for city training, fast speed runs, trail running, marathon) and each has its own characteristics. And yet, among all this diversity, we can highlight 5 main styles of women's sports shorts.
- loose,
- tight,
- skirt-shorts,
- compression,
- high-waisted.
1. Loose sports shorts
If the training or event format does not include tight shorts, then it is convenient to use loose-fitting shorts. They are suitable for morning jogging, walking, the beach, and outdoor recreation. The clothes are made of elastic fabric, so they do not interfere with sudden movements. They look good on owners with ideal shapes.
2. Tight sports shorts
Tight-fitting shorts are relevant for all sports where speed is important. They are well suited for running, race walking, crossfit, cycling. In the latter case, they are often called "biking shorts". A tight fit to the body emphasizes the advantages of the figure and provides minimal wind resistance.
3. Skirt-shorts
Skirt shorts or skirt – short - the main sports equipment of tennis players. Externally - it is a skirt, and inside elastic shorts are sewn. There are two types of design: shorts with a one-piece skirt and shorts with a wrap-around skirt. Both options wonderfully combine the beauty and femininity of a skirt and the convenience and practicality of shorts. In addition to tennis, the skirt-shorts are great for various sports, as well as for going to the beach or just walking. It is comfortable and convenient. The clothes do not restrict movement, allow you to move without constraint, look and feel attractive. Of all the types of shorts, this is the most versatile and feminine option.
4. Compression sports shorts
As the name suggests, these shorts create pressure on the body (in translation from English compression is compression). The compression effect improves blood circulation, which allows you to quickly restore strength. It also perfectly maintains temperature balance, that is, it keeps muscles warm for a long time and removes excess heat. Possessing ideal elasticity, compression shorts instantly remove sweat and dry quickly.
5. Women's High Waist Sports Shorts
The fashion for high-waisted clothes does not lose its relevance. This trend is reflected in many items of women's wardrobe, including sports shorts. The high waist (or high rise) tightens the figure well. This option is present in short and long shorts of a tight and loose cut.
- Short sports shorts with a high waist open the legs as much as possible, visually reducing the disproportion between the top and bottom (if there is one) and increasing the length of the legs. Thus, the girl seems taller, and her waist is thinner.
- Long sports shorts with a high waist noticeably slim and emphasize the waist, making the figure more seductive.
But in addition to aesthetics, a high waist also has a practical value: in compression shorts, it provides good support for the abdominal muscles and lumbar region. In general, no matter how you look at it, a high waist is only beneficial from all sides.
WHAT ARE WOMEN'S SPORTS SHORTS MADE OF?
Women's sports shorts provide maximum freedom of movement, effectively wick away sweat, dry quickly, "breathe", maintain thermoregulation, give a pleasant feeling of coolness, improve blood circulation, do not cause allergic reactions on the skin, tolerate washing well, do not fade, do not wrinkle, are durable and wear-resistant. All this would be impossible without sports knitwear - a special high-tech material that combines the best qualities of natural and synthetic fabrics.
Depending on the properties the material (and therefore the final product - shorts) should have, its composition can be purely synthetic, with a predominance of synthetics, or natural-based (that is, more natural fibers than synthetics). Wool, cotton, polyester, viscose, nylon, lycra (another name - spandex or elastane) are used for production. Depending on the percentage of natural and artificial fibers, as well as the technology of weaving threads, several types of sports knitwear are obtained - Diving, Taffeta, Duspo, Mesh, etc.
Women's shorts made of cotton-dominated jersey.
The main advantage of natural-based knitwear is excellent air permeability. The body breathes well in such shorts. But any high activity in them will lead to the fact that the clothes will quickly get wet and being in them will become a real torture - cotton quickly absorbs moisture, but slowly removes it to the outside. For this reason, shorts made of natural knitwear can only be used for inactive training: walking, stretching, yoga, cycling at a leisurely pace.
Women's shorts made of knitwear with a predominance of synthetics.
The main advantage of synthetic knitwear is excellent vapor permeability, i.e. the ability of the material to let sweat pass through itself (and not retain it) and dry quickly. No less important are strength, elasticity, wear resistance, and shape stability. In these parameters, knitwear on a natural basis is far behind. Therefore, shorts made of high-tech synthetics are ideal for active long workouts - the body will always be dry and comfortable.
TECHNOLOGIES FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT
There is no point in explaining why they are needed (the explanation is hidden in the title itself), but we will now tell you what they are like using some examples from the ADIDAS, NIKE and FREEVER brands.
- Adidas Climacool technology (analogous to Nike Dry-Fit - dry training) is a highly functional breathable material that removes moisture and ventilates the athlete's skin (absorbs sweat and removes it to the surface of the fabric).
- Techfit™ is a range of compression shorts (underwear) for a variety of sports. The Adidas line includes equipment with varying levels of compression for competition, training and recovery.
- Adidas ClimaWarm™ is the next comfortable technology that wicks away excess moisture and allows the skin to breathe while maintaining a natural body temperature.
- Freever 4-WAY Technology - the fabric stretches superbly in four directions at once. Shorts made from this knitwear provide an excellent fit with a full range of motion.
- Nike Pro or Pro Combat - prevents the body from overheating during physical activity. Special mesh elements provide additional ventilation and cooling. Thanks to the special structure of the fabric, maximum comfort at any temperature is also guaranteed.
- Nike Hypercool Compression is a compression knit technology that provides maximum body cooling combined with reliable support and injury prevention.
LENGTH OF WOMEN'S SPORTS SHORTS
Women's sports shorts are:
- Long - these are products from the midline of the thigh to the knees or just below the knees. They can be tight, compression or loose-fitting. The latter are very similar to everyday breeches.
- Mid-length women's shorts - cover what needs to be covered and show what can be shown. As a rule, the length is from the bottom of the buttocks and below, to the middle line of the thigh. They can be tight-fitting or loose-fitting.
- Short models are the most popular. They include all tight shorts that cover or slightly reveal the buttocks. They come with low, medium and high waist.
In turn, short shorts are divided into "mini" and "ultra-short". They can be with a low or medium waist. Mini shorts reveal a third of the buttocks, and ultra-short ones - half.
WOMEN'S SPORTS SHORTS COLORS
The color range of sports shorts is dominated by all the colors of the rainbow. The products are distinguished by their brightness and saturation. The most universal option that will be appropriate everywhere is black sports shorts. They are easy to combine with any color and shade of the palette. An additional plus in favor of choosing black is that it perfectly removes a couple of centimeters in volume. And who does not want to look slimmer?!
When wearing red shorts, a girl clearly declares her individuality and originality. The color is multifaceted and has a rich palette of interesting shades. It is a real eye-catcher. It gives determination, confidence, awakens femininity.
The most stylish and noble shade is considered to be wine. Burgundy shorts will look good with a black T-shirt, turtleneck, and a milky top. Romantic fashionistas will like white, beige and other light-colored models. And more brutal natures will like khaki, blue and dark purple shorts. In addition to monochromatic, gradient, minimalist patterns, various prints, and abstraction are in trend.
WHAT TO PAIR WITH WOMEN'S SPORTS SHORTS - EXAMPLES OF LOOK
Sports shorts go well with T-shirts, polo shirts, and tops. If it's cold, you can always wear leggings or tights underneath and throw a windbreaker on top. Any sports or beach shoes will do. Accessories can include caps, baseball caps, glasses, sports bags, bracelets, wristbands. But combinations in images are not limited to sports and casual T-shirts, tops. The list of clothing options is much wider. And you will see this now.
Red shorts will give you an interesting and non-trivial look. With them you can create a bright sporty look or a luxurious everyday outfit in a sporty style.
Black "bicycle shorts" (leather, shiny or matte) occupy an honorable place in the ranking of fashionable shorts, and allow you to create a lot of bold and interesting images. Celine, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton suggest wearing them with oversized jackets and bombers.
The color variations of these shorts go well with a jacket. It is only important that it is voluminous (unless you want to create a purely sporty look). Oversize is the perfect choice. If you need to create a more collected look, choose a top that fits your size and add heels to the ensemble.
A long-sleeved T-shirt with a deep neckline paired with long white shorts will help you create a win-win weekend look. In rough black and white sneakers, you will become a street-style icon.
A light printed long-sleeved blouse and loose-fitting yellow knitted shorts are must-haves in the arsenal of a modern metropolis fashionista. By complementing the look with beige lightweight platform sandals, you can bring even more freshness to it.
The combination of black shorts and a white top has always been fashionable and in demand. This look will favorably emphasize your femininity and set you up for classes, and a red long light jacket will add dynamism to it.
Despite its lightness, the tandem of a large checkered shirt, a long white untucked T-shirt and tight black shorts is always liked by stylish young girls, inevitably winning the hearts of the stronger sex. To add a touch of lightness to this multi-layered ensemble, you can put on leather sandals.
A snow-white skirt-shorts and a stylish short top with thin straps may not be the ideal option for sports, but on the beach and in everyday life such an outfit will make a real splash.
Let's sum it up
The main thing to remember:
- Shorts are chosen based on the body type, type of activity and personal preferences of their future owner.
- Give preference to modern high-tech materials. For high-intensity training - pure synthetics or a mixed composition with a predominance of synthetics. For low-intensity training, cotton-based sports knitwear is suitable.
- There is no need to be afraid of synthetics: sports knitwear is hypoallergenic, allows the skin to breathe, does not absorb sweat, wicks it away and dries quickly.
- If you want to visually stretch your image, appear slimmer and taller - raise your waist as much as possible and show off your legs.
- Women's compression sports shorts are clothing for sports, and the tight models are universal: they can be used both for training and for everyday wear.
- The most extravagant model is considered to be short shorts - they look quite revealing. If the product is below the buttocks by about 5-7 cm, then you can safely consider it classic. Despite the short style, such shorts look quite restrained, and go well with T-shirts of any format, blouses and shirts.
- Mini-shorts and ultra-short betty-riders, which reveal the buttocks as much as possible, are intended for sports, club dancing and beach walks. It is somewhat unethical to appear on city streets in such shorts.
- Only girls with a perfect figure can afford short mini and ultra-short models. The tight cut will highlight not only the advantages of the figure, but also all the disadvantages. However, if you are not afraid of experiments, these shorts are also for you.
- If you're wearing tight shorts to create a casual, sporty look, forget about tight tank tops or blouses, because the top should create balance. Oversized tees and hoodies are welcome, as are flat shoes.
Well, that's it. We hope you found the material interesting and useful.