KAZAN, RUSSIA – JULY 29: Norway team line up during 2018 Women’s Beach Handball World Cup final against Greece on July 29, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Ilnar Tukhbatov/Epsilon/Getty Images)
Dress codes for women in sports represent a long fight for equality, and shorts are the latest item to stir controversy.
Last weekend, Norway’s women’s beach handball team opted to wear blue shorts to a game, instead of the usual athletic bikini bottoms worn for these events. By Monday, the team was fined by the European Handball Federation because the shorts didn’t meet requirements from the organization. According to The New York Times, the Federation requires that female athletes wear bikini bottoms “with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg.”
The team had planned for some time to ignore the rules this year in order highlight the double standard set for women athletes across the sports world. Players paired their red and blue sports bras with royal blue shorts, and each one of them was fined an estimated $177 (€150) for it.
According to The New York Times, Norway’s Handball Federation has complained about the rule through letters to the International Handball Federation since 2006, arguing that the ruling doesn’t acknowledge some countries’ cultural sensitivities and does not account for the comfort of people who don’t want to be as exposed. But the International Handball Federation has yet to accept that shorts might offer a simple solution for female players. Unsurprisingly, the dress code is the opposite for male athletes, who are expected to wear tank tops and long shorts.
“Women should have the right to have a uniform they think is suitable for performing in their sport,” Kare Geir Lio, the head of the Norwegian Handball Federation, told The New York Times.
Beyond dress codes, many have pointed out that the Olympics and international sports organizations are enforcing discriminatory practices through their uniform policies. Earlier this month, swimming caps for natural hair were ruled out of the Olympics by the International Swimming Federation because “the athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require caps of such size and configuration.” Although the body did not allow accommodations for Black swimmers, it’s worth noting that the original Speedo cap was first created to prevent white women’s hair from flowing around while they swim. There have also been cases of religious discrimination. Back in 2012, the Iranian women’s soccer team was disqualified for showing up in headscarves. By 2016, international outrage helped fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad become the first U.S. athlete to compete wearing a headscarf.
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Picture this: It’s 2018 and you’re scrolling through Instagram. As you flip through photos of Kourtney Kardashian pre-Travis Barker and Kylie Jenner in a platinum blonde wig, you notice something: everyone who’s anyone is squatting in their outfit photos. Kendall Jenner, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj are just a few of the big names participating in the trend. Before long, the phenomenon is given the moniker “Hot Squat” (among other squat-related nicknames), and for years, it’s the go-to pose for racking up likes with little to no effort.
Cut to 2020, mid-lockdown. Instead of glitzy parties and fashion shows, where models like Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, and Kaia Gerber used to Hot Squat near vintage cars and lit-up runways, everyone — celebrity or not — is now forced to spend their days inside. There, we as a social-media-obsessed society are left to our own devices (literally), and tasked with drumming up a new, easier-to-execute pose that allows for selfie-style photography and a full-body ‘fit pic.
It took a few months, but eventually a new method of documenting looks arose. You’ve likely already seen it dozens of times during your nightly scrolls. All it needed was a name.
Meet the Boot Shoot, a new mode of flaunting your outfit that involves bending your limbs and maneuvering your camera in a way that grants your footwear the opportunity to shine, no photographer necessary. In some instances, the Boot Shoot results in the boot-wearing party laying down, kicking their feet up in the air for the best angle. In others, the camera is positioned somewhere on the ground, which allows for close-ups of the boots in action. More options include behind-the-back kicks, boot-centered mirror selfies, and wearing your boots in bed.
According to Vanessa Campana, the founder of Toronto-based jewelry and accessories brand Voons and a tried-and-true Boot Shooter, this boot-revealing trend is the result of people investing in good footwear and wanting to show it off. “I love the look of oversized boots and channeling my inner Bratz doll,” Campana tells Refinery29. “So, whenever I wear giant platforms, they become the focal point of my outfit.” To ensure that her Instagram feed reflects that, she isn’t afraid to get creative with her poses.
New Zealand-based artist and fellow Boot Shooter, Gracie Lambert, agrees with Campana. “My shoes are a huge part of my final ‘fit — especially platform Docs or any chunky sneaker, because I feel like they give me a Bratz doll silhouette, which I am all about,” she says. (With Y2K trends proliferating in 2021, it’s no wonder that Bratz dolls, too, are becoming relevant again.) “So pushing them forward in my photos and really highlighting the shoe just ramps it up even more.”
What sets the Boot Shoot apart from past trends, the Hot Squat in particular, is that this new alternative is without limits, meaning that your feed won’t be clogged with the same pose over and over. Take whatever route you’d like to get there — all that matters is that your boots are the main character of the shot.
And it’s not just savvy dressers who are utilizing the Boot Shoot to showcase their footwear. Brands are doing it, too. Beloved accessories brand Miista uses the method to show off not just its selection of angular boots, but also clogs, sandals, and mules. Jil Sander’s most recent resort lookbook also included spins on the trend.
Now, with Fashion Month coming up, and many designers continuing to present their collections in a digital format as opposed to in-person, we’d be willing to bet that this new form of experimental outfit documentation will continue in spring ‘22 lookbooks to come. In other words, you have two months to perfect your Boot Shoot before everyone else does. See you — and your boots — on the feed.
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It’s summertime, baby, which means it’s sandal season. While trends come and go, sandals will always be a warm-weather must-have. From strappy, barely-there sandals to chunky wedges, there’s a pair for every style, outfit, and budget. Overwhelmed by all the options? We’ve consolidated several of our favorite comfortable sandal brands and styles into a best-of-the-best summer sandals guide (and included a few other trends we’re loving for our feet).
To make the list, we looked at a number of factors including overall comfort level, trendiness, price point, and use. For instance, we love that our readers are the types to need hiking sandals in the morning and dancefloor-ready heeled sandals in the evening. Or, perhaps there’s a practical need for a chic waterproof sandal that’s appropriate for both a beachday and a rainy dinner date. Maybe you’re a prudent shopper in the market for sensible (and obviously cute) orthopedic sandals that won’t cramp your OOTD. Whatever kind of sandal you need, the internet shall deliver.
One major thing to keep in mind is that we are talking shoes, which means that depending on the sandal, a break-in period is absolutely necessary and to be expected. But once that’s done, you’ll have that perfectly molded-to you shoe ready to take you on all your summer adventures. Ahead, our summer sandals guide provides you with some of the best toe-wiggling, pedicure-friendly styles.
Best Platform Sandals
Let’s get high — off the ground, that is. Platform sandals continue to be a favorite summer shoe style because these height-boosters are generally more comfortable than actual heels. Plus, the chunky sole can provide cushioning between you and the hard floor or sidewalk. Check out platform sandals with thick soles made from lightweight natural cork or natural rubber — or for a cute, weaved style, give espadrilles a go.
Best Cheap, Under-$15 Sandals
Sometimes we just need an unfussy pair of affordable sandals to get us through the season. Luckily, the internet has plenty to offer via fashion hard hitters like H&M, ASOS, Shein, and Old Navy. At such gentle price points, you won’t be shy about wearing them to death.
Best Closed-Toe Sandals
The biggest closed-toe sandal trend this year is the fisherman sandal, which is ideal for anyone who wants to go a little longer between pedicures. Another classic staple in this category is huaraches, which are hand-woven braided sandals originating from Mexico. Also, consider the peep-toe style — like a Menorcan avarca sandal — which has just a wee opening at the front that we promise won’t expose whole toes.
Best Hiking & Sport Sandals
Fabulous for hiking, camping, or general sporting, these strappy waterproof sandals are designed to stay secured on your feet at all times — no matter if you’re wading in a river or hitting the trails. In terms of being nature-friendly, the best outdoor sandals check off all boxes: they’re quick-dry, have grippy traction soles, and boast comfy EVA-cushioned footbeds.
Best Slides
For the ultimate out-the-door-in-seconds shoe, it doesn’t get better than the slide. It’s such an easy and effortless silhouette that you’ll find them everywhere. Your fave activewear brand likely has its own version of the slide sandal, as does your fave shoe designer. We pulled a few unique slide sandal styles here, many of which also include decent arch support.
Best Heeled Sandals (That Are Actually Comfortable)
Comfortable, cute heels aren’t an oxymoron — if you know what to look for. The key is finding shoes with trendy details that still keep you (relatively) close to the ground, like sandals from “comfortable shoe” brands like Walking Cradles and Camper. Prefer a chunkier step? A heeled platform clog, like this style from Nisolo, will give you a lift without any of the pain.
Best Waterproof Sandals For The Beach Or Pool
Chances are that you’ll be hitting the pool or beach this summer, and you’ll need waterproof sandals tasked to take you there and back. Look for PCU or synthetic material that dry fast and won’t warp or get soggy when they get wet. Molded footbeds and fun patterns and designs also help these utilitarian shoes have a bit of style. For a day-to-night waterproof sandal that makes you look even more put-together, opt for a pool shoe with a slingback strap.
Best Orthopedic Sandals
Somewhere along the way, orthopedic shoe brands — Dr. Scholl’s, Dansko, Teva, Birkenstock, Aetrex, Born, and BeautiFeel, just to name a few — have become ultra-stylish and trendy. (And, no, not in an ironic way.) Depending on your foot preferences, seek out squishy EVA footbeds that can help absorb your steps. These comfort-focused brands also offer good arch and ankle support and are a great all-day option for travel or work.
Best Wide Fit Sandals
Wide-feet shoppers know — finding a stylish brand that also offers extended-width shoes is no easy task. But, we have trusty standbys like Stuart Weitzman, Sam Edelman, and Naturalizer, as recommendedby our staffers! Retailers like Amazon, Zappos, and ASOS also have god-sent search filter options so only wide and extra-wide sandals are pulled up.
Best Luxury Sandals
Because we love an extra moment, anytime, anywhere, we conclude this best summer sandals guide with a few luxury sandal styles that also double as statement shoes. Flip flops with a curved kitten heel, Birk-inspired jelly sandals, towering platforms — bring ‘em all on, and step forth in confidence!
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 something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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On Monday, Ashley Graham took to Instagram to share the inspiration behind her most recent look: Steve from Blue’s Clues — and no, we’re not kidding. Specifically, the supermodel wore a navy-and-green striped rugby shirt from Rowing Blazers and a pair of Vince khaki trousers — an unexpected combination for Graham, who typically sports bike shorts, heels, and casual dresses.
“Steve from Blue’s Clues is hot now,” she captioned the two-photo slideshow. The second photo featured Steve Burns, the star of the Nickelodeon show from 1996 until 2002, in an almost identical, albeit tenfold less chic, ‘fit.
It’s wholly possible that Graham, who has a one-year-old son and is currently pregnant with her second child, could simply be watching a little too much Blue’s Clues, resulting in her stylishly recreating the star of the show’s signature outfit. More likely, though, the look is her take on fashion’s current obsession with preppy ‘90s sportswear. Think: varsity jackets, bike shorts, and collegiate crewnecks on Princess Diana and Hailey Bieber (who recreated looks from the people’s princess for Vogue Paris in 2019). Vintage rugby shirts and khakis, which are a staple on the golf club scene, certainly fit into the aesthetic.
When we think of it that way, Graham’s latest look isn’t all that surprising, given that she so often dresses in the same vein as early ‘90s Diana. Let’s not forget that in May, she was spotted post-workout wearing black bike shorts with Nike sneakers and a pastel yellow anorak from New Balance’s ultra-preppy collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore.
Perhaps dressing like a character on Blue’s Clues isn’t so odd after all. If you agree, shop Graham’s look below.
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Now, Rodrigo is bringing back another ‘90s staple: the chain belt. Last week, the singer wore a spring 1995 Chanel suit and chain belt to the White House, paired with white Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals and black socks.
Like much of Gen Z, the singer is a fan of secondhand and thrift stores, including Depop and her favorite vintage shop Vantage in Utah. But her latest outfit is no ordinary find. The archival piece was featured in Chanel’s spring 1995 collection by Karl Lagerfeld. With the help of stylists Chloe & Chenelle Delgadillo, she opted to pair the suit with a thin silver chain belt that spelled Chanel on the front.
With Rodrigo’s help, chain belts are now trending. Online fashion search engine Lyst has seen a 121% week-over-week surge in shoppers looking for similar pieces, while back in April searches for “layered,” “hip” and “waist” chain belts were rising at a more modest 20% week-over-week.
The trend is making its return with a twist. While back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s chain belts were worn as a single accessory adorning one’s hip area, this time around the most non-functional-belt-to-ever-exist is now sported high waisted and layered, as demonstrated by designers like Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Gucci in their spring and fall collections.
Although the ‘90s were the time chain belts as we know them emerged on the scene, they were also a defining staple of the Y2K era, which is making a comeback in the form of whale tails, low-rise jeans, and cut-outs. In their first rise to popularity, chain belts were championed by celebrities like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Lil’ Kim. Now, it’s Instagram-ready influencers and celebs like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner who are sporting the look.
If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane with a chain belt, here are some vintage-inspired options to choose from.
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Gap, the ubiquitous San Francisco-based clothing retailer that’s been around since 1969, is on the brink. In October, seven months into lockdown, as shifts in consumer spending due to the pandemic shuttered beloved brands like Need Supply and Sies Marjan and bankrupted retail kingpins like J.Crew and Neiman Marcus, Gap announced that it would be closing 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores in North America by the end of 2023, by which point, an estimated 870 stores will remain, compared to 1,216 in 2019, according to Insider. Sad times for the retailer that once united your favorite ‘90s supermodels, suburban dads, and tweens on a budget.
But amid this trajectory were some bright spots that hint at Gap’s future. In June 2020, Gap announced a decade-long deal with Kanye West’s popular fashion brand Yeezy. (Two items from the Gap Yeezy collab — a cloud-like puffer coat available in blue and black — have since been released and met with both raised eyebrows and opened wallets.) In September 2020, Internet personality Emma Chamberlain posted photos of herself on Instagram, wearing white bikini bottoms and a thrifted Gap logo hoodie. She wore the latter in a post a few days later. Combined, Chamberlain’s odes to Gap’s navy blue sweatshirt garnered 4 million likes and over 12,000 comments on her Instagram. In turn, her fans newly designated Gap as “cool.”
Roughly 20 years after its most recent heyday — a time when Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford wore Gap jeans on the cover of Vogue’s 100th anniversary issue, stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna appeared in company ads, and Sharon Stone styled pieces from the brand alongside Vera Wang at the Oscars — people — young people, specifically — were once again talking about Gap.
Fashion and beauty TikToker Lola Clinton Hayward, who has over 78,000 followers, predicted in December that Gap would make a comeback. In a video titled, “Trend Predictions for 2021 Part 2,” which has been viewed more than 397,000 times and has over 61,000 likes, Hayward included Gap as one of her bets for 2021, alongside fur-collared cardigans and patchwork tops, both of which have proven to be big this year. “I know some are already on trend, but they will be sm bigger trust me,” the caption read. A month later, Barbara Kristoffersen, who has 265,000 followers on the platform, posted a roundup of outfits, one of which included a hard-to-find brown logo hoodie from Gap’s archives. The video has since garnered 1.8 million views and over 511,000 likes, projecting the brand, specifically the brown logo hoodie, into the realm of covetable.
Posts tagged #GapHoodie have since acquired over 6.7 million views on TikTok, which raises the question: Can Gen Z save the Gap?
Hard yes, says Domynique Badillo, a 22-year-old TikToker whose “Is Gap Back?” video has been viewed by over 36,000 users. In fact, Badillo believes the concept of “saving” a company like Gap, or bringing back a brand that’s falling out of fashion, is something that Gen Z considers when surveying which trends or brands they want to pay attention to. “Gen Z likes to look for Y2K trends that haven’t become popular yet, so they can be the first to find things,” she explains. “They come across brands from the aughts, like Gap and Von Dutch, and try to rework them and style them in a way that’s fresh.” According to her, it makes the act of shopping more of a game-like challenge.
In that sense, Gap’s prior lack of relevance with younger consumers actually benefited the brand. The company gained millions of new, interested shoppers without having to do anything at all (besides having once been cool). But given that Gen Z is known to quickly move on — TikTok videos are rarely longer than 15 seconds — the team at Gap knew that if they wanted to continue succeeding with their younger supporters, they’d have to put in the work.
On-Figure
On June 26, almost half a year after the Gen Z buzz had started to build, Gap dropped a limited-issue release of the brown logo hoodies for $59.95 that shoppers could pre-order for arrival at the end of August. (The same hoodies were selling for upwards of $200 on resale sites like Depop and Grailed.) “We have a responsive capability to order the hoodie and get it back in stock,” Mary Alderete, Gap’s global head of marketing, tells Refinery29. “We researched the vintage style and went out to get it done.” The brand also launched a two-week partnership with TikTok, titled the Color Comeback Competition. According to Alderete, the competition involved polling the platform’s users to find out which logo hoodie colorway Gap should bring back next, utilizing TikTok’s community of creators, like Chelsie Hill and Lisa Asano, to host the “competition.”
“Partnerships like this one with TikTok allow us to connect with our customers authentically, and we were excited to have the opportunity to be nimble and responsive to the requests of our younger generation of shoppers,” says Alderete. Moving forward, she says that Gap will continue to connect with its Gen Z and millennial customers in the same conversational way. In doing so, maybe the brand can avoid the same fate it experienced following high times in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, when it struggled to stay culturally relevant in the 2010s.
This approach seems to be working. “We can confirm that we have seen website visits increase since January, which is when we saw the #GapHoodie hashtag really take off,” says Alderete. The company has also witnessed a significant spike in year-over-year online sales of their lauded logo hoodies.
To rest on just a hoodie, though, is a gamble, according to Badillo. Instead, she suggests that Gap look at the bigger picture, and focus on getting back to its DNA, looking to when it was widely believed to be the “it” brand for jeans in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s — Gap was founded as an independent shop in San Francisco by husband and wife Don and Dorris Fisher with a simple mission: “To make it easier to find a pair of jeans that fit with a commitment to do more,” according to Gap’s website — and normcore basics in the ‘90s and early aughts. “You shouldn’t necessarily try to keep up with all the trends, and put out so many different things that you believe are trending,” Badillo says. “As long as you’re really focusing on your quality and what it is that your brand is known for, you’re going to have people that are really drawn to that no matter what.”
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