Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Clogs Are *The* Transitional-Weather Shoe — Here’s How To Style Them

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September fashion can be confusing. All signs point to fall (earlier sunsets, pumpkin spice rollouts, end-of-season sales) but the balmy temperatures tell us otherwise. Since there are still a few weeks of summer left — and hopefully a whole lot of warmer days — this month is all about extending your summer wardrobe for as long as possible. As for a versatile, in-between-seasons shoe: Look no further than the humble clog. 

The clog renaissance is already in full swing. Popular styles range from TikTok’s viral plastic gardening clogs and easy-to-wear, slip-on mules by brands like Crocs, Birkenstock and even Gucci and Prada to ‘70s-style wooden platforms from the likes of Clarks, Chloé and Farm Rio. Though they’re often considered the antithesis of a “nice” shoe, clogs are the perfect middle ground between summer sandals and fall sneakers — plus they’re super versatile, too.

Clogs are the chameleons of footwear: Pair them with long shorts, mini skirts, midi dresses or your go-to jeans. They can be just as comfortable as wearing slippers outside (depending on the style) and add a quirky touch to any outfit. If you’re still unsure about these clunky kicks, scroll on for four ways to style Crocs Dylan Platform Clogs for various occasions, like running errands, heading to the office and more. 

How To Style Clogs For Work

Since they’re so easy to slide on, clogs don’t require much thought in the morning and can be styled in so many different ways. If your office dress code allows for them, pair clogs with jeans and a blazer for a comfortable, work-appropriate fit. You could also pair them with an oversized suit or a midi dress for fall. Color coordination makes all the difference, as shown here with this secondhand, butter yellow blazer to match the kicks.

How To Style Clogs For Going Out

There’s a strong case for wearing clogs on a night out. The first step is to choose whether you want them to be the centre of your outfit or the supporting characters. For the latter, opt for bolder silhouettes on top, like long, wide-leg pants or bright colors or textures. To put your clogs in the spotlight, pair them with a short skirt or fitted dress. If the clogs are brightly colored, go for an outfit in muted tones. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations, too. 

How To Style Clogs For Running Errands

Weekend errands are probably the most obvious time to wear clogs. Their slip-on feature makes for the ultimate lazy-day shoe — especially when the weather’s still warm. Pair clogs with cosy socks, your favorite loungewear (think: tracksuits, leggings, tennis skirts and sweat shorts), and layer up with a light jacket or cardigan. Comfort is key here.

How To Style Clogs For Dinner

Your dinner outfit can be stylish and comfortable, whether you’re sporting flat, platform or heeled clogs. Pair them with a skirt and waistcoat for a casual, sophisticated look — and stack on loads of jewelry for an added level of effort. Just like pairing a dress and sneakers, clogs and a skirt offers a high-low combination that works for many occasions.

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Somehow, we looked up from our phones and it’s fall. So if you’re in need of some seasonal fall fashion inspo while you retire your tiniest tank tops in favor of the cozy season sweaters stuffed in the back of your closet, we’ve got you covered. Refinery29’s team of savvy shopping editors combed reader-favorite destination Free People for the fall pieces on our wishlists (yes, this is our job — and yes, we have fun with it!), and are sharing them below for your shopping delight.

This fall, Free People has delivered everything from statement-making denim silhouettes (think: barrel-leg jeans) and cozy tops (think: cashmere sweaters and oversized sweatshirts) to on-trend fall outerwear (think: statement blazers). Whether you’re in search of some new denim, a fall-ready dress, or Western-inspired boots for the transitional weather, we’ve got it all (and more) below. Keep scrolling to peruse 16 seasonally-appropriate styles  we plan on adding to our fall outfits nonstop as the leaves turn color.

Free People Porta Cashmere Henley, $168

“Aside from looking like the warmest, coziest piece to slip into on a chilly fall day (cashmere for under $200? Hello!), I am obsessed with this shade of deep, warm, chocolatey brown. I can’t wait to pair it with all the forest greens, berry reds, and mustard yellows already in my autumn wardrobe. I also think it will make an ideal neutral base for pops of cherry red (unexpected red theory!) and leopard print — two fall trends from last year that I’m excited to re-wear.” — Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer

We The Free Good Luck Barrel Overalls, $148

“I live, love, and laugh in denim but I’ve never owned overalls and this is the time to take the leap with trending barrel-leg — I mean what’s better than something you can just throw on? I love this wash, the curved wide legs, and think it’s perfect to pair with a crop top or sweater as we get deeper into fall for apple picking or even just walking my dog around the block.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator

Free People Reggie Blazer, $178

“A cute oversized blazer is the one styling staple I always come back to this time of year. As soon as I saw this plaid, retro-inspired blazer, I knew it was going to be a part of my fall uniform. This is the kind of silhouette and pattern that will never go out of style and instantly makes any outfit look more polished. I will definitely be wearing this with a wool beanie or baseball cap, along with a solid tee and jeans.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer

We The Free Good Good Turtleneck, $38

“I live in thin, layerable turtlenecks during the winter and truly believe you can’t own too many. Ahead of fall, I’ll definitely be adding We The Free’s Good Good Turtleneck to my rotation. I’m already picturing the ways I’m going to style it: under a blazer with denim for an elevated, office-ready moment, or worn alone with a corduroy mini skirt for a cozy date.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer

We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans, $98

“I LOVE baggy denim, especially during transitional fall weather when you can dress them with tiny tanks and sandals during warmer days, then chunky knits and ankle boots as it gets chillier. We all know that the ‘barrel’ silhouette has been everywhere for several seasons, and this pair from We The Free seems like the perfect way to try out the trend without breaking the bank — they’re under $100!” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager

Free People Chloe Jacket, $198

“I’m obsessed with this quilted cropped jacket, especially in the gingham print. The button-less, lightweight cotton style seems like the perfect layering piece for summer-to-fall dressing. I’d pair it with a crop top on warmer days and a long-sleeve sweater on cooler days.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer

FP Collection Brayden Western Boots, $298

“Not to get all Mean Girls on you but recently I saw Maggie Rogers in concert — she was wearing silver cap-toe Western boots and looked so great in them, so now I need silver cap-toe Western boots. Just like Maggie, I’ll be wearing them with black wide-leg jeans and a graphic vintage tee for a cool, off-duty ‘70s vibe (We The Free’s Libre Jeans are my favorites btw. The shorter inseam option is perfect for my 5’2” height).” — Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer

Free People Classic Striped Oversized Crewneck, $98

“This oversized striped long-sleeve just looks and feels so nostalgic to me — almost like something I’d find in a vintage store or in the back of my dad’s closet. I’d wear this to lounge around my apartment, with white denim for a casual coffee run, or thrown over workout clothes for an extra layer.” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager

We The Free Level Up Slit Slim Flare Jeans, $78

“I was a late adopter to flare jeans’ epic resurgence a few years ago. As a 5’2” girl, I always thought that bell bottoms would shorten my frame, but it’s quite the opposite: When styled properly, they trick the eye to fake a few precious inches of height. I’m eyeing a new pair to add to my collection, and it’ll probably be this pair from We The Free. I love the different washes, especially Ridge Grey, a faded charcoal. Plus, the split-hem detail adds a bit of edge and allows me to show off whatever pair of boots I’m wearing.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer

Free People Little Secret Round Sunglasses, $30

I can never own too many sunglasses (I think my collection has more than 10 pairs that I equally interchange) so I’m adding these round wire-frame glasses into the mix. I’m a fan of the ones with smoky brown and copper lenses because they match my fall wardrobe color palette.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer

Understated Leather Moon Glow Coat, $498

“I already have this dreamy, beautiful coat in a black and pink colorway and I love it — it’s easily my favorite piece in my wardrobe and one of my most worn. (It’s the perfect weight for in-between, fall transitional weather and winter, too, once layered up). However, once I saw that there was this new amethyst option available, I just knew I had to have it too. Are you kidding me? It’s giving the ultimate ’90s-does-’70s, Mazzy Star purple, Whimsigoth, witchy energy. So, basically my entire personality!” — Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer

We The Free Camden Henley Sweatshirt, $98

“As soon as the leaves start turning red and there’s a hint of chill in the air, I’ll be swaddling myself in a thick sweatshirt. I’m particularly drawn to this henley-style pullover; the slouchy fit and exposed seams are chic in a very undone way, and I love the versatile heather green color. I can imagine myself pairing this sweatshirt with a pleated mini skirt and knee-high leather boots, but I will be equally happy wearing it at home with a pair of cozy leggings.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer

Free People Hampton Mini Dress, $168

“I am a dress girl through and through no matter the season and am always looking for work-appropriate dresses that are also stylish. I love the silhouette of this dress and how I can dress it up or down with my footwear and accessories. I’m picturing sneakers and a cardigan for my 9-5 job then knee-high boots or heels and some chunky jewelry for dinner and drinks.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator

Free People Nocturnal Solid Cardi, $128

“Anyone who knows me, knows I live in a cardigan during the fall/winter months. I love the slightly shrunken silhouette of this particular style. I’m partial to neutrals — a black sweater is part of my everyday ’uniform’ — but the Nocturnal Cardi also comes in five other colorways, including a fun violet and jade green. There are even camo and cheetah printed options if that’s more your vibe!” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager

We The Free Deep Trance Dropped Boyfriend Jeans, $98

“I love a rigid denim wide-leg jean, so this We The Free pair caught my eye. The relaxed fit (which is giving a subtle barrel-leg silhouette) and this worn-in black wash is perfect to wear for all my favorite casual fall activities like apple picking and farmers’ market strolls.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer

We The Free In A Daze Pullover, $148

“In the dream version of my life, I live my life in cozy wardrobe staples, especially chunky pullover sweaters — and Free People has perfected this staple style with the In A Daze Pullover. I love everything about it, except the fact that I don’t own it (yet). The slightly cropped, boxy fit is super flattering on petite frames like mine, and I love the cable knit detail. I’m resisting the urge to add all colorways to my cart, but will definitely start with Uncut Emerald, the prettiest deep,dark green.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer

Shop full Free People fall collection

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This TikTok Runner Went Viral For Finding Shorts That Don’t Ride Up

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This article was first published in June 2023.

Part of TikTok’s compulsively watchable appeal is the FYP’s ability to show you new things that also feel like exactly what you were looking for — you just didn’t know it yet. Like when I stumbled on a viral video from a runner who had found the impossible: running shorts that don’t ride up. When Erin Azar — also known as Mrs. Space Cadet, the “professional struggle runner” — appeared on my TikTok feed, I felt like the algo hit hard. As a person who is often unmotivated to finish any sort of creative or personal task, the literal push I was seeing from Azar and her runs really got me emotional and inspired (Azar is also hilarious, so there’s lots of giggling, too). She also often reviews running gear, including the elusive shorts that won’t ride up.

Off-screen, Azar is a mom living in Pennsylvania, who started running as a way to stay active and improve her overall well-being. Her training sessions are everything you actually imagine runs to be: sweaty, unglamorous, gnarly, the whole ordeal. (But, not to worry, there are moments of pure joy peppered throughout her journey, too.)

“I was feeling mentally and physically unhealthy after having my third baby,” Azar writes in an email to Refinery29. “I ran a mile out of desperation because I needed fresh air and movement. It helped my anxiety and exhaustion a bit so I kept going.” And go she did — eventually, Azar signed up for a marathon as a way to keep herself on track with her exercise routine. “I’m someone who quits everything I start, so signing up for a marathon was a way to force me to keep running even on days when I didn’t want to,” she explains. Azar has since completed her third marathon in Chicago and declares there’s “no going back.”

As you can imagine, Azar has been testing and wearing a ton of activewear — and the post that had me gripped was her search for flowy shorts that don’t ride up. (Relatable.) The post has low-key gone viral, with 1.3 million views to date, probably because it’s nearly impossible to find shorts that truly don’t, as Azar would say, “get gobbled by your thighs.”

Interestingly enough, Azar tells me she only wears bike shorts when she’s marathon training because she can’t have things flopping around in her pockets (bike shorts keep things contoured to her legs). But, for any other physical activity like walking, running errands, strength workouts, yoga, or going to the beach, she prefers flowy shorts so that her legs can breathe.

“I almost always wear a size large but women’s sizing is so unhinged, so a Lululemon size 10 for me translates to a large in some brands but XL in others, especially the ‘knockoff’ products,” Azar says of how she goes about what pant sizes she wears and tests, noting that she has an “enormous rant” stored up about the problems with women’s sizing. Since that can make it hard to give recommendations to viewers, her workaround is to “generally just show my body, share what size I wear, and hope that provides enough value and info for my followers to make informed decisions about what size might work for them.” Ahead, watch Azar’s TikTok video and shop the three flowy shorts she has tested (complete with brisk walks, squats, and high kicks) that remain, for the most part, unsucked into the vortex of the inner thighs.

@mrs.space.cadet This has been quite the series! What should I test next?? #thickthighproblems #shorts #tryon ♬ original sound – Mrs. Space Cadet

Marathon runner-approved shorts that don’t ride up

Lululemon Track That High-Rise Lined Short 5″, $68

Brooks Running Chaser 7″ Short, $66

REI Co-op Swiftland 5″ Running Shorts, $59.95 $41.93

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