Earlier this week I wrote about the best polo shirt in 2023. With warm weather approaching it’s almost time for one of my favorite ways to wear a polo shirt. If you read the title I am sure you can guess what that is. I hear your objections, I really do. Just hear me out. The combination of gym shorts and polo shirts may sound odd on its face, but it works.
When do I deploy these outfits? I wear them in the most casual settings. For example, I might throw on a polo shirt with my gym shorts or Patagonia baggies to head down to the farmers market, out to get a cup of coffee, or simply hanging out at the house. I am sure that you have seen people out walking their dog in something similar. That’s probably wear I saw it first and it was not being worn by a millennial or whomever many want to blame athleisure on, but someone just outside of middle age.
While many in the the trad/ivy space eschew athleisure I embrace it. I am not going to go on and on about it (I will do that later). Instead, I will leave you with a few examples and a little guidance. A good rule of thumb is that this combo works when a large portion of the people will be in lounge clothes. If you want to dress it up a bit just add camp mocs, blucher mocs or boat shoes. An OCBD as outerwear is always a good option if you need an additional layer. There you go, have at it.
So wait, you just wear them like a regular shirt? Revolutionary!!!
Exactly, you get it! Or another way to say it is that I treat gym shorts like khaki shorts.
Were those Grateful Dead dancing bears I saw on those shorts? HIPPIE! That’s not Trad. By the way. Saw you walking down Grant the other day. Almost honked and yelled “Hey! OCBD guy”, but I didn’t want to seem like a nut. Maybe next time I will. I like madras popovers too.
Next time yell!
Thomas – I take your comment as a little tongue-in-cheek. I fully co-sign those shorts. Have something similar. The godfather of all trad bloggers, Heavy Tweed Jacket, was a Deadhead too.
Jerrod – love that the blog is back!
Going to throw out these rugby shorts for a gym short recommendation https://www.amazon.com/Gilbert-Rugby-Short-Black-Medium/dp/B00D6JQGMS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2GG8CG366J64C&keywords=rugby+shorts&qid=1681420663&sprefix=rugby+shorts%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-5
100% cotton, two pockets, short inseam, indestructible, and only $30 (they used to be $20 a few years ago…). I work out in these most days, but are great for bumming around the housing, mowing the grass, as well as running to the store or to get a cup of coffee. They definitely work with a polo or OCBD.
Trip, these look and sound great. Thanks for passing these along!