It shouldn’t be surprising that athletic gear is becoming more prevalent in day-to-day dressing. I think any year with a summer Olympics sees an uptick in sporty apparel. This summer, with in-person learning on the horizon, folks going back to their offices, and all of us realizing we put on some pandemic pounds, sports gear is both a functional and fashion-forward style of dressing. One surprising trend that’s come along with activewear is the rise (figuratively speaking) of skorts, the combination of shorts with skirts.

In my younger and more formative years, I considered skorts something older ladies wore to play golf or tennis. The first skort dates back to the 1890s. They were invented for women to wear while bicycling. This Victorian version consisted of wide-legged pants underneath a skirt, covered up by a double-breasted, button-up panel in front. It doesn’t sound like there was much ease in movement there. By the 1930s, professional tennis players showed up to Wimbledon in designer skorts, giving the players more freedom of movement for a more aggressive and competitive match. During the interwar period, American designers like Clair McCardel created their own versions with a more flounced swinging skirt over top straight-legged short pants.

Today, skorts are as commonplace as tennis dresses or bike shorts, have become staples of the athleisure style, and can even be part of your going-out outfit. What is appealing about skorts is that they marry the coverage of a skirt (usually with a panel of fabric draped over the front) with a shorts silhouette exposed in the back, giving the wearer both coverage and full range of movement. As the style aesthetic of skorts has evolved, brands like Athleta, Lululemon, and Girlfriend Collective offer options that look consistent from the front to the back, making the short part less noticeable. The skorts on-trend now have a sleeker, more sophisticated feel to help you keep the comfort of shorts but meet the need to feel updated and a bit more dressed up than last year’s sweatpants.

If you find you want coverage and comfort while being active, Athleta’s Run With It 14-Inch Skort is built for hiking and jogging. Made from featherweight stretch fabric, it doesn’t constrict and features a back zip pocket. Spanx’s The Get Moving Skort is designed with moisture-wicking and quick-drying four-way stretch. It also features a short liner that is meant to prevent chafing and a smoothing waistband, so you look your best while working out.

For a less sporty look, check out L.L. Bean’s Comfort Trail Skort. Yes, it is designed with the idea of outdoor adventure; however, the button and zip fly, adjustable tabs, and multiple pockets make this bottom a convenient but more feminine option than shorts or jeans for informal get-togethers or casual Fridays. Patagonia’s Fleetwith Skort features a faux-wrap front that makes it a little dressier than a flat front skort, and the drawcord waist allows for the perfect fit.

Kohl’s has a ton of skort options, from Grand Slam Golf Performance Tummy Control Skort for hitting up the court to Croft & Barrow’s Effortless Stretch Scallop-hemmed Skort with a longer length, perfect for summer church services. There’s also a wide selection of girl skorts and baby skorts.

For schools that require uniforms, I’m a big advocate for skorts over jumpers and skirts. Having worn a plaid, pleated jumper for the seven years I attended Catholic School, I know I would have been much more comfortable (and had pockets) in a skort. My youngest wears skorts almost every day. She loves skirts and dresses, but at 3, she’s a very active little girl and needs the coverage.

I appreciate skorts because there’s a version out there no matter your age or activity of choice. Whether you wear them as activewear, as part of your weekend uniform, or just to putz around the backyard, a skort can be a handy summer staple. Don’t have a skort? Try bike shorts, or a fitted running short, or tap shorts under a skirt or sundress to create the modesty and comfort of a skort.