Cycle Shorts: The Summer Legging?

Some of you might have never been a fan of the legging in the winter, but they are like sweat pants to me. Sweat pants that you can wear out in public and still look decent. In fact, I don't own a pair of sweats because I can just as easily wear leggings out of the house and pretend I didn't just nap in them for 3 hours. A chilly day ensemble: leggings, oversized sweater, boots, a scarf- so comfortable, so easy, so chic (well, at least better than those sweats).

So come summer I'm usually stumped for comfortable leg wear. Shorts are fine, but they are a little constricting (especially when they chop you off right at the meatiest part of your thigh). Skirts are good, but sitting cross-legged at a picnic isn't an option. I propose the bicycle short.

Circa 1992, Cath and I would run around in magenta cycle shorts and over-sized tees tied in a side knot. I've eschewed the scrunchie and reebok hightops this go 'round, but it's essentially the same outfit and as comfortable as I remember it from nearly two decades ago.

I favor a huge platform shoe, long tee or tank with the short. For the more fearless, a cropped top could work (I personally like a little more coverage especially if your shoes are hooker-esque), and I think a sleek looking sandal sans heel would be chic for those of you in less need of a 5 inch boost.

What do you guys think? "Summer leggings" a go? Even if you are a little skeptical, you should try it. It's so gosh darned comfortable I think you'll be a convert. Also it's a little reprieve from this year's ubiquitous cut-offs trend.

Oh, and I'm not stopping at black. I just bought these understated summer leggings at AA this past weekend. Outfit post forthcoming.

LL

shirt from Urban, shorts from AA, shoes are Target (soon to be studded), jacket is H&M