This Under-$40 Clog Boot Only Looks Expensive

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If you’ve been following our footwear coverage for some time, you already know that we’re unrepentant fans of the clog. And though it may seem like the “clog trend” is perpetually on a two-year cyclical cadence, its clockwork-like resurgence is a testament to how the clompy wooden-soled shoe is actually as timeless as, say, the oversized blazer or the white button-down. You may as well consider it an essential piece in your capsule wardrobe.

But, we also acknowledge that the clog is polarizing for myriad valid reasons: They can be frightening to walk in (we shudder at the thought of crossing cobblestone streets), they’re fug-licious (in a good way, we would argue), and they’re generally going to cost you some decent coin (especially if they’re handcrafted by authentic Swedish clogglers). That last pain point is probably the toughest hurdle to overcome — prices that can clock in at a few hundos aren’t exactly conducive to a trend trial run.

So, what’s a clomp-curious person to do if they’d like to test-drive a starter clog? Well, we’re going to reveal a secret that’s hiding in plain sight — as it turns out, Target has a shearling-lined ankle clog (which appears to be a dead-ringer dupe for a way higher-end style) for only $39.99.

Universal Thread Women’s Maisie Clog Boots, $39.99

If the price-to-style ratio already has your head spinning, it’s time to sit down — the jaw-droppage continues. The shoe boasts a cushy memory foam footbed (which, as clog truthers know, is a rarity), there’s a side zip for effortless on-off wear, the bottom sole is tracked with skid-free rubber, and the wooden sole has a glow-up of 2.25″. With these types of features on the menu, it’s really no wonder that this clog currently rates a 4.7 out of 5 stars and boats 111 reviews. “I can’t say enough about these boots,” writes one target.com reviewer. “They are shockingly comfortable and somehow go with everything. They elevate every outfit. I’ve wanted clog boots for years and I’m thrilled to have found these at such a low price!”

Universal Thread Judith Clog Boots, $39.99

For the uninitiated, an under-$40 clog could be a gateway purchase, but it seems that even the most experienced clog collectors have found a place in their closets clog-sets for Target’s take on the luxury look. Of the Judith silhouette — an oxblood-toned ankle boot with a rubber-treaded sole — one reviewer writes: “I have legit Swedish clogs, expensive as all get out, yet I’ve been stopped by strangers and asked about these Target clogs more often. … I then find myself whispering (why whispering, I’m not sure) like it’s a top secret: I actually got them at Target.” According to the reviewer, (one of 38 who helped this style rack up a 4.7-star rating), the faux-leather exterior means that no tears need be shed if inclement weather comes calling. “Love these clogs for kicking around in life and not worrying about ruining them in salt, snow, mud, etc.” Something tells us that we’ve landed on another strong contender for the High End Vibes Award. “Doing a little dance of happiness,” added the reviewer of the shoe. “Great clog.”

If you’re finally ready to give the ‘ol clog trend a knockity-knock, click here to utilize our brand-new straight-to-cart shopping feature so you don’t suffer from any sellout FOMO. And once you reached clog-convert status, we’ve got a whole roundup of the best clogs that are ready for hours of hoofing around.

Shop all ankle boots at Target

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House Paint Is The New OOTD With Madewell’s Recent Capsule Collection

We’re not saying we called it, but just a few months back the R29 Shopping team dubbed house paint “Instagram’s new hottest accessory” after swooning over Backdrop‘s aesthetic oasis of user-friendly pigments. Today, the stylish house paint brand took it one step further with a dreamy, monochromatic “Studio Hours” capsule collection collab with Madewell. In short, trendy house paint isn’t just a must-have backdrop, it’s now part of your OOTD.

This $150-and-under launch features 12 wardrobe essentials dipped in Backdrop’s custom-made warm taupe hue, Studio Hours. The matching premium paint is also available for purchase as half ($45) and one gallon ($69) cans on both sites. Scroll on for a glimpse at Madewell’s soon-to-sell-out capsule collection that looks equally good on you and your apartment.

Madewell x Backdrop Court Sneakers in Studio Hours, $68

Meet Backdrop

For those out of the loop, Backdrop is your one-stop-shop for all things house paint, designed especially for those of us who dread the idea of sifting through hundreds of paint chips at Home Depot. Married couple Natalie and Caleb Ebel founded the brand back in 2016 after jumping through too many hoops trying to paint a nursery for their first child. Fast-forward to 2022, and you can find a myriad of influencers showcasing the brand’s paint in mirror selfies, aesthetic bedroom shots, and DIY painting all over social media. 

While the brand’s unintimidating approach to home improvement may be its biggest selling point, its popularity on social media also points to the curated and trendy selection of colors you can choose from. Backdrop also offers color consultations and sticker swatches for mess-free sampling.

Backdrop Studio Hours One Gallon, $69

The Studio Hours Capsule Collection

Starting today the Madewell x Backdrop Studio Hours capsule collection is officially up for grabs. It includes a relaxed-fit Softfade cotton tee, pair of suede court sneakers, cozy unisex hoodie, canvas bucket hat, some DIY-ready cotton overalls, and other wardrobe basics. According to Backdrop, the collection took inspiration from “the endless hours artists spend in the studio and their workwear like overalls, chore coats, and more.” The founders also noticed room in the fashion world for painter-centric clothing after its paint shirt piqued the interest of numerous Backdrop customers. To top it off, many pieces are crafted from upcycled cotton and the premium house paint is Green Wise certified. 

The capsule collection is a first for the brand, but from the looks of it, there are some speedy “out of stocks” in our forecast. So head over to Madewell’s site now to shop the full collection, and make a pitstop at Backdrop for all your painting essentials — since, you know, a monochromatic taupe OOTD photographed in front of a matching wall in your living space might just be the serve of the century.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Chanel’s Latest Show Featured Wedding-Worthy Dresses & Horse Girl Fashion

‘Tis the season to observe pretty dresses, as Haute Couture Week continues in Paris. And Chanel’s latest runway show delivered just that. On Tuesday, the French house unveiled its spring 2022 couture collection, filled with juxtapositions between structured and flowy garments. 

“These geometric shapes made me want contrasts, a great lightness and a lot of freshness,” Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard said in the collection’s notes. The designer explained she wanted the dresses to look as if they were “floating.” 

Socialite Charlotte Casiraghi rode on horseback to open the show. The horse girl moment was conceptualized by French artist Xavier Veilhan, who was in charge of the show’s decor. “His artistic universe is full of horses and Charlotte is a skilled rider,” said Viard. It all set a precedent for what the collection later proposed: a contrast between the unabashedly fanciful and utilitarian. 

While the show opened with a series of structured tweed jackets, a hallmark of the label, Viard deconstructed the seriousness of these garments by pairing pocketed jackets with light maxi skirts that appeared to be levitating on the runway. Then, the collection delved into a series of blazer dresses with frilly details and, later, a slew of skirt suits (with much longer hemlines than the house’s spring 2022 ready-to-wear lineup) and wide-leg pantsuits.

For the show’s finale, Viard showed ethereal dresses that would make for stunning wedding looks for any non-traditional bride. Take, for example, a black bubble dress with a one-shoulder bow-tie sleeve or a white slip dress with a ruffled peplum and twee-approved bow in the front. In true couture tradition, the showcase wrapped up with a bridal dress, a simple slip adorned with a delicate, beaded layer of fabric over top. 

Viard’s lineup offered women the chance to be all things at the same time: a practical horse girl by day, an elegant party attendee by night. 

Watch Chanel’s spring 2022 couture show below.

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These Designers Are Redefining The Meaning Of Couture

Last year, when Pyer Moss’s Kerby Jean-Raymond became the first Black American designer to show during Couture Week, it signaled the beginning of a new — and belated — era for the craft. Instead of showing the expected red carpet-worthy tulle ball gowns and bridal looks, Jean-Raymond sent out playful, over-the-top fashion inspired by inventions from Black entrepreneurs — like the Super Soaker, the bottle cap, and the traffic light — at Madam C.J. Walker’s mansion in New York.

Alongside Jean-Raymond, a new generation of designers are redefining the craft by breaking couture’s tradition of exclusivity and making their own rules in the process. With diversity, sustainability, and technology in mind, they are showing creations that don’t lack in crafts in places ranging from New York to the metaverse. And democratizing the art form along the way. 

One of the oldest customs in fashion, couture — by definition, fashion that uses handmade skills and technique — has long maintained its status as a space for the elite, marked by high prices, bespoke clothing, and dresses fit for special occasions most of us will probably never be invited to. While any high-fashion brand can create collections made up of delicate lace and intricate embroidery, only those that meet strict regulations — which include designing made-to-order clothes for private clients and employing 20 full-time technical staff members in their workshop — from the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in France can show during the official calendar that, this season, takes place from January 24 to 27. 

But emerging couture designers are stepping away from these standards. Back in October, fashion insiders took notice when Vietnamese-American designer Bach Mai presented his debut collection. An alum of Oscar de la Renta and John Galliano’s Maison Margiela, Mai’s resumé gives a hint of what his work looks like: full-skirted gowns in high-low hemlines, peplum strapless tops, and metallic slip dresses that drape over the body like liquid paint. “It’s irreverent, glamour and unabashed femininity that just has always been a part of my universe,” Mai told Refinery29 of his brand. “It’s not only about the aesthetic, but also this appreciation for the craftsmanship to come back.” Impeccable technique aside, what makes Bach Mai’s work innovative is the versatility that allows his designs to bring couture into the everyday. See: the bomber jackets that are paired with full, skirted gowns and leather pencil skirts featuring a too-open-to-walk-in middle slit. 

The Texas-born designer has had a lifelong appreciation for couture, one that started when he saw John Galliano’s spring 2004 couture collection and then took a history of couture class in high school. Later, as a student at Parsons The New School For Design, he explored the practice further by delving into the role of technology and the digital age in fashion design. Ahead of his second collection, debuting during New York Fashion Week in February, Mai hopes his work can bring people a deeper appreciation for the work in our increasingly digital and fast-paced industry that churns out trends and clothes in an accelerated cycle. “The role of couture is to preserve the craft, the art of making clothes,” he says. Mai is also emphatic about the ways in which custom-made clothes can help empower its wearer, a phenomenon he says he witnessed growing up in Houston: “There’s something about Texan women and Texas glamour; it doesn’t have to be a Met Gala moment. It can be just a beautiful dress that they feel amazing in and they can have fun.”

For other new-gen designers, sustainability is an essential part of redefining this centuries-old tradition. 

Take, for example, London-based Sohee Park who is utilizing deadstock and upcycled materials to create the fantasy-fueled for her eponymous brand Miss Sohee, which will be showing in Milan Fashion Week for the first time in February. Or Johannes Warnke, a Central Saint Martins alum who makes couture-level clothes with textiles dyed by hand in his own garden. In the process, they’re proving that sustainability doesn’t have to mean minimalist clothing. Instead, both Park and Warnke are using color and playful elements and eye-catching techniques — like butterflies, leather gloves, drapery, and asymmetrical designs. “Sustainability should never compromise your designs, but the design shouldn’t compromise sustainability either; it should all be in harmony,” Warnke told Vogue. 

The conversations around sustainability in fashion have also brought up the need to reduce the production of real-life clothing, with more brands and designers jumping into the metaverse, where they can operate with a zero-waste model. While many would argue that it’s not craftsmanship in the traditional sense, brands like Tribute — a digital fashion label creating clothes people can only wear on the internet — are on a quest to prove that artificial intelligence and computer-based design should be considered a couture-level skill. “The principles that are in physical fashion, they work in a digital fashion, too,” Gala Marija Vrbanic, co-founder of Tribute, told Refinery29. “We are a fashion brand that is mainly using technology to create a totally new fashion language, so you can compare our pieces to couture.”

Vrbanic says there are many parallels between the way couture brands and Tribute make their clothes, including the long hours it takes to create the voluminous, larger-than-life garments, which have included a digital version of a Jean Paul Gaultier couture look created in collaboration with the house last year. And much like couture, there is a limited number of garments sold for each piece created. They’re just much more affordable, though. While a couture dress might reach six figures, a Tribute gown can cost $150. 

By innovating couture practices, new-gen designers are bringing the world of couture into modern day. While the tradition, history, and highly-skilled craftsmanship of haute couture will always have a place, other creatives are proving how the industry can evolve.

“Couture has so many purposes and uses, and one has to think of it as a creative laboratory,” says Mai. “Part of that is preserving craftsmanship, but also highlighting it and elevating it.”

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