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Growing up in Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley—where it’s always at least 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the already-sweltering city—I quickly learned to prioritize comfort and ease in my wardrobe. As an ardent fan of the color black, let me tell you it’s been a journey of trial, error, and low-grade heatstroke. On days that break triple digits, flowy dresses, loose tops, and light colors are godsends.
For whatever reason (climate change? Plain ole aging?) I’ve found this summer especially intolerable. Goodbye Levi’s cutoffs, and hello skirts and dresses. So imagine my delight when my TikTok and Pinterest were suddenly awash with women wearing men’s boxers as shorts. Not only is the cheeky play on underwear as outerwear perfect for the unbearably hot days, but the look is viable for almost every approach to personal style. Some wearers prefer to stay with the bedroom feel, opting for oversized button-downs and tank tops, while others pair theirs with blazers and loafers. (If you’ve ever had a nightmare about showing up to a meeting sans pants, consider this your chance to make your stress dream chic.) Whether you’re lounging next to your AC unit or out and about, boxers are about to become your new go-to.
The divisive underwear trend has previously been favored by Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Alexa Chung, all of whom made a compelling case for going pantless. Hadid took a more athletic approach, pairing her white Les Girls Les Boys boxer shorts with a blue off-the-shoulder T-shirt, calf-length socks, and Adidas Forums. Jenner ran in the opposite direction, opting for a preppier interpretation. Over her white boxers, she layered a white button-down and navy blazer, topping off her fit with loafers from The Row, a leather tote bag, and a New York Yankees cap. Chung met them somewhere in the middle, pairing her periwinkle striped shorts with a lime green henley T-shirt, heeled white loafers, and socks.
But the beauty of the boxer shorts is that they aren’t just for supermodels; they’re for everybody—as clearly evidenced by my social media algorithms. Dressed up or down, masc or femme, they are the epitome of a functional summer staple. Made for utility, boxer shorts are accommodating to all genders and all bodies—a welcome addition to any wardrobe this summer.
