If you walked past the Bowery Hotel in mid July and clocked a woman in a vintage red tee, micro black track shorts and tiny heels, no you did not hallucinate your Pinterest board. That was Zoë Kravitz turning what used to be a gym short into something you could wear to a downtown dinner reservation.
This summer, New York has swapped bike shorts for little athletic shorts, styled with the humblest piece in your closet – a T-shirt. From SoHo coffee runs to Brooklyn rooftop parties, the girls who used to live in spandex bikers are now in swishy nylon and mesh, proving that the right shorts-and-tee equation is suddenly a whole look.
What Is The Athletic Shorts + T-Shirt It-Girl Trend
Think of athletic shorts as bike shorts’ cooler, less clingy cousin. They are cut in nylon, mesh or fleece, sit lower on the leg, and have a bit of volume so your thighs can actually breathe in August humidity.
The formula is simple: sport shorts + T-shirt + one polished thing. That “one polished thing” might be a kitten heel, a structured bag or serious jewelry. Zoë Kravitz, Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Bieber have all been photographed in some version of this, which is why Google is suddenly flooded with athletic shorts and T-shirt outfit ideas.
The Zoë Kravitz NYC Blueprint
Bowery Vintage Tee + Micro Track Shorts
In July 2025, Kravitz left the Bowery Hotel in a red Procell Vintage Black History Month tee, tucked into tiny black No. 21 track shorts, with slim Manolo Blahnik heels, a Saint Laurent Baby Icare bag and diamond earrings. Stylist Danielle Goldberg quietly invented “evening gym shorts” that day.
Here is why it works: the tee is bold and tucked, the shorts are leg-baring but not tight, the heel is delicate, and the bag is structured. The eye reads downtown nonchalance, not “I forgot pants.”
- Start with a saturated graphic tee in red or cobalt and tuck it fully.
- Add black running or track shorts that hit high on the thigh.
- Finish with a small top-handle bag and a kitten or mid heel; hoops or studs optional but encouraged.
Gym Shorts, Big Tee, Small Heel
The softer version Kravitz has also worn swaps micro shorts for slightly longer gym shorts and a boxy oversized tee, half-tucked at the front. The magic is in contrast: roomy top, sporty bottom, dainty heel. It is the outfit you could wear to a Thursday night bar, then home on the subway without hating your shoes.
Five Athletic Shorts And T-Shirt Outfit Ideas To Try
With Mules And A Vintage Tee
Channel the SS26 runways and the Kravitz mood in one move: tiny running shorts, a faded band or souvenir tee and sleek mid-heel mules. Add a structured shoulder bag and slim sunglasses and you suddenly look “fashion person,” not “tourist in Times Square.”
Monochrome Sport Set + Logo T-Shirt
Pick nylon shorts and a tee in the same color family – grey on grey, navy on navy – with a small logo from Nike, Adidas or Sporty & Rich. The single-color story reads intentional, especially with chunky silver jewelry and minimalist sneakers.
Retro Track Shorts + Ringer Tee
For weekends, lean into seventies PE nostalgia. Try side-stripe track shorts with a ringer T-shirt and low-top trainers. Add aviators and a canvas tote and you look like you are on the way to an indie matinee, not spin class.
Fleece Sweatshorts + Boxy Tee
When every office and subway car is aggressively air-conditioned, fleece shorts are your friend. Pair longer sweatshorts with a cropped or boxy tee, sporty crew socks and leather sandals. The thicker fabric keeps the silhouette sharp, so it feels like off-duty dressing, not pajamas.
Neon Track Shorts + Crisp White Tee
For night, swap black for color. Neon or satin-finish track shorts with a perfectly clean white tee, strappy heels and a clutch give you legs-for-days energy with almost no effort. Keep the jewelry simple to avoid “rave flyer” territory.
Style Rules So You Look Polished, Not Post-Workout
- Play with proportion. If your shorts are tiny, keep the tee looser and tuck it. If your shorts are longer, a cropped or boxy tee balances the volume.
- Upgrade the shoe. Kitten heels, ballet flats and sleek mules dress everything up faster than any statement necklace. Save the chunky trainers for truly sporty days.
- One sporty, one sharp. Let only one piece scream “gym” – usually the shorts. Keep the tee in crisp cotton and add at least one refined accessory, like a leather bag or grown-up watch.
- Think NYC practical. If you are walking a lot, pack foldable flats and change into heels at the bar. Opt for lined shorts to avoid chafe and layer a light button-up over your tee for subway AC.