Basketball Shorts Are Spring's Biggest Trend According To New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027
Our take
The runways of New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 have spoken, and the message is clear: basketball shorts are having a moment. Following a summer where the renewed fervor surrounding the New York Knicks captivated the city – and, let’s be honest, influenced countless wardrobes – it’s no surprise to see this athletic staple infiltrate the realm of high fashion. It’s a fascinating intersection of sport and style, and one that speaks to a broader cultural shift towards embracing comfort and utility without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. This isn't entirely unprecedented; we’ve seen similar crossovers before, but the scale and seemingly unanimous endorsement from Manhattan’s top designers feels significant. It echoes the sentiments expressed in our recent piece, [Pencil Skirts! Suede! Satin Jackets! Here’s Everything WWW Editors Are Wearing for Fashion Month ], where a move towards wearable, elevated basics was already palpable, and it builds upon the continued dominance of colors like the vibrant [Royal Purple Is the It-Girl Color Of 2026 ], which can easily be incorporated into a basketball short-centric wardrobe. The key difference here, though, is the unexpected nature of the garment itself – a traditionally casual item suddenly elevated to a position of high fashion desirability.
The appeal, I suspect, lies in the shorts’ inherent versatility. They offer a relaxed silhouette that aligns with the current mood of effortless cool, while also providing a blank canvas for experimentation. Designers are likely to explore pairings with unexpected pieces – think tailored blazers, silk tops, or even more formal footwear – to create looks that are both comfortable and undeniably chic. This trend also taps into a broader narrative of blurring lines between different spheres of culture. The rise of "ITK" fashion girls, as explored in [How to Spot an ITK Fashion Girl in Late 2026: This Sweater-Color Trend and These Flats ], demonstrates a desire to incorporate elements from subcultures and everyday life into personal style. Basketball shorts, with their roots in athleticism and street style, perfectly embody this ethos. It’s not about slavishly adhering to traditional fashion rules, but rather about curating a personal aesthetic that feels authentic and reflective of one’s own interests. The integration of athletic wear, once relegated to the gym or weekend errands, into high fashion feels like a natural progression of this broader cultural conversation.
Beyond the immediate aesthetic impact, the rise of basketball shorts signals a potential shift in how we perceive luxury. It's a move away from overt displays of wealth and towards a more understated, quietly confident approach. The beauty of this trend isn’t about flaunting a designer logo; it’s about finding an unexpected elegance in a familiar form. It speaks to a desire for pieces that are both functional and stylish, that can seamlessly transition from a casual outing to a more formal occasion. This aligns with the broader cultural conversation around "quiet luxury," which prioritizes quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design over fleeting trends and ostentatious branding. The elevated presentation of basketball shorts on the runway suggests that even traditionally casual items can be imbued with a sense of sophistication and refinement. The inherent simplicity of the garment allows for a focus on fabric, cut, and styling – all hallmarks of true luxury.
Ultimately, the basketball short trend presents a fascinating opportunity to reimagine what constitutes "fashionable." It's a reminder that style is not about adhering to rigid rules, but about embracing individuality and finding beauty in unexpected places. What’s particularly compelling is the potential for personalization – how will individuals incorporate this trend into their existing wardrobes, and what unique combinations will they create? Will we see a continued exploration of athletic-inspired silhouettes, or will this trend fade as quickly as it emerged? One thing is certain: the runways of 2027 have challenged our preconceptions about what belongs in the world of high fashion, and the conversation surrounding this unexpected trend is one to watch closely.
The basketball craze that practically took over NYC this past summer, turning everyone into a screaming fan thanks to the victorious New York Knicks, seems to have infiltrated the minds of Manhattan’s top designers for New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027. Thrown in the mix with last season’s must-have capri pants and boxer shorts are looser, lower hanging bottoms that sit below the knee and are likely to swish when you move — not to be mistaken for a basketball passing cleanly through the net.
What started as a hero piece at Rachel Comey — an aqua blue pair adorned with circular silver metal accents down the sides and around the bottom — has become a MVP contender for what we can expect to see at the shows throughout the rest of the week. Also on Sept. 9, Cult Gaia’s Jasmine Larian sent her more tailored iteration of the court-chic bottom down the runway, paired with a fully embellished camisole and matching flats. (The look would have also worked with white Nike Dunks, just saying.)
At Tommy Hilfiger on Sept. 10, the trend may have not so unexpectedly peaked, when the master of collegiate-sportswear showed roomy shorts in solid colors in navy with gold buttons against an oversized white polo shirt with coordinating stripes. Later in the afternoon, Kallmeyer presented what could be the most sophisticated and sought-after version of the long short, which may technically fall into the pedal pusher or capri category but still deserves a mention. Pleated and expertly cut, the bottoms were styled with a monochromatic waistcoat and an ankle grazing duster.
Michael Kors joined the team early Friday morning with a billowy knee length short in black, accessorized with a skinny white belt and blue shoes. The cropped blazer he showed with it proves the silhouette is more than just a sporty staple and that it has some serious corporate wardrobe potential when executed correctly. Jamie Haller shortened hers a bit, but made up for the lack of length with intricate beaded flowers that made them the most covetable in this editor’s opinion.
A.L.C. offered a minimalist-meets-literal take with two classic pairs, one in black and one in greige, the latter of which appeared to be a silk-satin fabrication that can easily be dressed up or down. Extra points to those who leave the drawstrings exposed and hanging long, as designer Andrea Lieberman did in the brand’s lookbook. 3.1 Phillip Lim, Veronica Beard, and Adam Lippes also came to play — pairing their long shorts with a matching eyelet dress, a blazer and a button down, respectively. Those who wish to subscribe to the cool-girl personal style narrative can opt for Kate Barton’s take, done in white with origami-like folds at the knees.
We are by no means fortune tellers but New York’s fashion set is about to possess some serious game.
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