“Tiny athletic shorts experience a bold resurgence this summer.”

I understand your concern: a tribute to track shorts? Am I ensnared in some endless, treadmill-filled ordeal akin to Sisyphus? But allow me to present my case: This isn’t about what to wear for your new running club or for a relaxed trip to the pharmacy. No, this is about embracing track shorts as a bold fashion statement. For those scorching summer nights, they offer breathability while elegantly showcasing ample leg. Track shorts are akin to the 2023 response to the daisy dukes of the early 2000s (immortalized in Jessica Simpson’s iconic 2005 music video for “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” released shortly after her portrayal of Daisy Duke in the Dukes of Hazzard reboot). While jean shorts were famously short just for the sake of it, the petite track-star silhouette is more discreet. Track shorts are practical with a touch of irony—an essential element of sexiness in 2023. You could use them for a jog if the mood strikes, but let’s be honest, the odds are slim.

So, how can you flaunt track shorts without giving off the impression that you’re about to fasten your running belt and launch the Strava app? A prime example comes from a scene in Season Three, Episode 10, of “Sex and the City,” where Carrie dons track shorts with red stilettos and a flowy peasant top. The brilliance lies in the unexpected pairing. The sporty shorts serve as a reminder to embrace adventure; suddenly, the world becomes your arena. In an ironic twist, the episode ends with Carrie sprinting through the West Village after a dog and eventually getting caught in the rain. In track shorts, adventure awaits. Former Teen Vogue fashion and beauty editor Michelle Li—who recently collaborated with Relax Lacrosse on a romantic, shrunken, florette-embellished pair of mesh shorts—follows the same approach to silhouette. “My go-to for summertime is a petite track short paired with a more substantial, feminine top,” says Li. “I find it helps balance an outfit and offers a perfect blend of femininity and sportiness.” London It girl Olivia Pezzente also gravitates toward the fusion of sporty and feminine. “I love combining sporty pieces with items that are more traditionally feminine,” Pezzente says. “If something feels too obvious, I tend to go in the opposite direction.”

I can personally confirm the effectiveness of this combination. During a recent three-week European vacation with only a carry-on bag, a pair of small white Adidas track shorts found their way into my luggage due to their versatility: They served as a bikini cover-up, gym attire, and a vital part of my dinner outfits. In Paris, I wore them with a vintage white Prada button-down and a pair of black slingback heels at the legendary Fouquet’s Paris restaurant on the Champs-Élysées, feeling slightly concerned I might appear underdressed.

On my stroll to the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of the women’s World Cup playing on a bar TV, just as Spain’s Salma Paralluelo danced across the field in a similar pair of three-striped shorts. I felt reassured. Whatever adventure this Parisian night had in store, I was prepared.