Okay, so today I’m gonna share my experience with, uh, let’s call it “mikaela shiffrin inspired” shorts. Yeah, that’s a good way to put it.
Where it all started: I was watching the Winter Olympics, right? And I saw Mikaela Shiffrin absolutely crushing it (well, when she wasn’t crashing, haha). But I was really admiring her style. Specifically, her shorts. They looked comfy, functional, and, let’s be honest, kinda cool. I thought, “Hey, I could totally rock those.”
The Quest Begins: So, I hopped online and started searching. I was looking for something similar – athletic shorts, preferably with a bit of stretch, good for hiking, maybe even some light running. I didn’t want anything too sporty, just something versatile. I spent, like, hours browsing different sites. Everything was either too expensive, too flimsy, or just plain ugly.
DIY Time: After striking out online, I thought, “Screw it, I’ll make my own!” I remembered I had an old pair of leggings that I never wore. They were black, stretchy, and high-waisted – perfect for a test run. My plan was simple: cut them into shorts, hem the edges (or not, depending on how lazy I felt), and boom, instant Mikaela-inspired shorts.
The Operation: I grabbed my trusty (and slightly rusty) sewing scissors. Measure? Nah, I just eyeballed it. I wanted them to be a similar length to what Shiffrin wears – hitting somewhere mid-thigh. Snip, snip! Okay, that was surprisingly easy. Now for the hemming… I considered using my sewing machine, but honestly, I was feeling lazy. So, I went for the raw edge look. Hey, it’s fashion, right?
The First Test: I slipped them on. Not bad! They were comfy, stretchy, and surprisingly flattering. I did a few squats, jumped around a bit, and they seemed to hold up okay. The raw edges were a little itchy, but I figured I could deal with it. I decided to take them for a spin on a hike.
The Hike: Okay, so the hike was… interesting. The shorts were definitely comfortable. But the raw edges? Big mistake. They started to fray like crazy. By the end of the hike, I had little strings of black fabric all over my legs. And the chafing! Oh, the chafing! Let’s just say I regretted my laziness when it came to hemming.
Lesson Learned: Raw edges are a no-go. Hemming is essential. Also, maybe invest in some anti-chafing cream. But hey, at least I tried! I salvaged the situation by actually hemming the edges this time. Used a zig-zag stitch to prevent further fraying.
The (Slightly Improved) Shorts: The hemming definitely helped. They’re way more comfortable now. I still wouldn’t wear them to anything too strenuous, but for a casual walk or lounging around the house, they’re perfect. They even look kinda cute with a t-shirt and sneakers.
Final Verdict: Did I achieve peak Mikaela Shiffrin style? Probably not. But I did learn a valuable lesson about the importance of hemming and the dangers of raw edges. And hey, I got a comfy pair of shorts out of the deal. Maybe next time I’ll actually buy a proper pair of athletic shorts. But for now, these DIY shorts will do just fine. Plus, I can say they are “mikaela shiffrin inspired,” right? 😜
