A curated selection of our favourite bike shorts from Australian labels
IMAGE VIA @NAGNATA_/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY SUNNY CHISHOLM
A comfy wardrobe staple.
It’s hard to imagine a time when sportswear was exclusively worn for sports. Sneakers, leggings, tracksuit pants and spray jackets have firmly established themselves as the most enduring and reliable staples in everyone’s pandemic wardrobes.
Bike shorts, in particular, have cycled their way through the decades – famously sported by the late Princess Diana in the ’90s – then again by Hailey Bieber in a très chic sartorial tribute for Vogue Paris – and it doesn’t look as though their reign is ending anytime soon.
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Whether you’re looking for a pair fit for the Tour de France or to wear while working from home, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite local brands and where you can find them. And hey, if they’re good enough for a royal…
Nagnata
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Blurring the lines between technical sportswear and fashion, Nagnata is particularly well-known for its bike shorts that sport rich colours and retro details in varying lengths. Founded in 2017 and helmed by sisters, Laura May and Hannah Gibbs, the Australian label earned itself an international following after receiving accolades from Vogue, PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival and Net-a-Porter for its advocation of change, sustainability and inclusivity across the industry.
Emma Mulholland on Holiday
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Really though, is there anything more comfortable than cotton knit bike shorts? Emma Mulholland on Holiday – the laidback, beachy-vibe dream label – has crafted multiple pairs of playful shorts, just begging to be worn on your next vacation.
Nu Form
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Looking for something that can handle a little more intensity? These are the shorts for you. Nu Form creates high-tech activewear that you’d be proud to be seen in while getting your post-gym coffee. Joggers, it’s your lucky day – there’s even a hidden cell phone pocket!
Aje Athletica
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Like its much-loved women’s clothing, Aje’s activewear is feminine and contemporary, with a focus on clean lines and flattering silhouettes. Its collection of bike shorts is vast, with multiple variations of length, colour and material. Go for something bolder with a checkered pink print and logo waistband, or keep it simple with seamless black rib.
Nimble
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Nimble’s recycled bike shorts come in black, olive and a vibrant grapefruit shade – and I dare you not to get the full set. With a four-point-eight star rating, it’s the kind of activewear that makes you excited to work out.
Boody
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Hear me out – exercise shorts that are made for exercising. Crafted with comfort in mind, Boody’s high-waisted bike shorts are designed using organically grown bamboo, making them fit for purpose (and the planet). The breathable, hypoallergenic and thermoregulating properties of bamboo make them a perfect second skin and the flat seams mean they won’t roll or rise up when working out (should you choose to).
P.E Nation
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The brainchild of co-founders Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning almost needs no introduction. Since its launch in 2016, the label has made waves at home and abroad for its nostalgic ’90s streetwear and athleisure styles that fuse fashion with function. P.E Nation bike shorts champion lively digital prints and squat-proof fabrics that take you from studio to street.
Nico
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Specialising in intimates, sleepwear and leisurewear, this Queensland label is founded on strong sustainability values. Nico’s organic cotton fabrics are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard and the label’s adoption of plant dye omits the use of toxic chemicals throughout its supply chain. Its high rise bike shorts come in a length my mum would refer to as ‘sensible’ and the organic cotton offers comfort in its stretch and breathability – great for lounging at home or adding a bit of pizzazz to your errands outfit with vibrant hues that are made to be seen.
The Upside
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Trust Jodhi Meares, fashion alumni and long-time yogi, to design bike shorts you’ll want to work in. After creating and later selling the iconic Australian label Tigerlily, Meares later founded The Upside after noticing a gap in the athleisure scene. According to Meares, her time in Hawaii taught her that exercise should be fun and never taken too seriously, and this ethos is certainly referenced in the label’s choice of colours, fabrics and silhouettes.
All Fenix
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Founded by Melbourne-based couple Georgia and Jason, All Fenix was conceived in 2015 with sampling and small production runs originally manufactured in Footscray. In an effort to reduce its impact on the environment, the brand uses recycled polyester to craft its high-performance bike shorts which are designed for both high-impact activities (running) and low-impact activities (brunching).
Indigo Luna
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Dedicated to slow creation, Indigo Luna was first imagined in Victoria’s coastal town of Torquay and later brought to life by a small, woman-run factory in Bali. Production runs are deliberately made in low quantities (to avoid having deadstock left at the end of each season), and the label’s yoga collection is made from Certified Organic Cotton as part of its mission to ensure that no life (either human or plant) is exploited as part of its manufacturing practices.
Want to know how to style your bike shorts? Read this.
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