Why Everyone’s Wearing Shorts and Boots in the City Right Now

In a post-seasonal fashion landscape where contradictions have become the new consistency, the shorts and boots combo is no longer just a defiant summertime rebellion—it’s a statement. Equal parts athletic, utilitarian, and punk-adjacent, this look has taken root on the sidewalks of London, Berlin, and Seoul, blurring gender binaries and disrupting silhouettes in a way that feels refreshingly now.

From Miu Miu’s leg-baring leather micro shorts styled with knee-high moto boots to Givenchy’s FW24 approach, pairing structured Bermuda cuts with square-toe combat boots, the aesthetic is all about tension. It’s rigid and fluid, raw and polished. Acne Studios taps into the dystopian mood by layering nylon boxer shorts over thermal leggings, grounded by chunky-soled hiking boots—a look that speaks to post-club exhaustion and soft apocalyptic energy.

But it’s not just the runway dictating this recalibration. The streets are echoing the same impulse. In Brooklyn, stylists throw vintage athletic shorts over tights, worn with slouchy Balenciaga boots and an oversized leather blazer. In Tokyo, the vibe is cyber-precise: think Pleats Please shorts with tabi boots, pixelated accessories, and clean lines.

What makes the trend tick is its anti-seasonality. The look refuses to be tethered to summer or winter, instead morphing with layers, socks, thermals, and silhouettes. It's the kind of hybrid logic Gen Z thrives on—styling decisions made less from function, more from feeling.

Outfit Ideas

1. Luxury Street: Leather mini shorts + moto boots + boxy crop top + oversized utility jacket (Miu Miu or Alyx).
   

2. Tech Goth: Nylon cargo shorts + thermal tights + high-shaft boots + neoprene hoodie (Acne Studios or Rick Owens).
   

3. Sleek Minimal: Tailored Bermuda shorts + sock boots + fitted turtleneck + longline trench (Givenchy or The Row).
   

4. Athleisure Remix: Retro gym shorts + crew socks + lace-up hiking boots + mesh jersey + bomber (Balenciaga or Adidas x Gucci).
   
   

Call it chaotic, call it cool—shorts and boots are having a real moment. The rules are loose, the styling is tight, and the vibe? Somewhere between underground and ultra-aware.

SHOP THE LOOK

IMAGES:

• Raimonda Kulikauskiene//Getty Images

• Su Shan Leong/WWD

• Phil Oh

• Launchmetrics