So, How Is It Really? Wearing A Balaclava With Big Hair

Welcome to Refinery29’s So, How Is It Really? where we take a look at all of the topics that have the internet talking. In studying them up close, we answer the question of what it’s really like to try out a trend, a viral product, or an unexpected TikTok hack.

In the last six months, there’s been no bigger winter trend than the balaclava. The cozy accessory has been spotted on runways —  with designers ranging from Miu Miu and Raf Simons to Marine Serre — and has flooded search queries. Really: Searches for “crochet balaclava” are up by 1000% according to Google Trends. The balaclava is also this season’s most sought-after item as reported by global fashion shopping platform Lyst. Miu Miu’s crochet hood and face covering and Stone Island’s ribbed wool balaclava landed on the top 10 hottest products list for women and men, respectively. 

On Instagram, we’re seeing the winter-weather accessory on the feeds of fashion influencers everywhere. Meanwhile, on TikTok, #balaclava has over 132 million views. Style aside, the one thing a lot of these posts have in common is they’re often modeled on people with straight or wavy hair. So, it got me thinking, What’s it like to wear a balaclava as someone with big natural hair? If I put it on, would it mess up my hair the minute I took it off? Would I have to either blow out or slick back my 3C/ 4A curls into a bun in order to pull off this trend? To find out what it’s really like, I enlisted the (now-sold-out) Aritzia Sunday Best Frederick Balaclava in “Guava Pink.” 

My first impression was there couldn’t be a way to fit all of my hair in all of its voluminous glory into the balaclava without looking like Megamind. But, I went ahead even though it pained me (and my freshly styled hair) to put a fabric other than satin directly on my curls. To my surprise, as I began to put it on, the material compressed my hair down enough to create a hooded shape. I paid more attention to the backside and neck to even out the bumpy areas of tucked hair that NGL tickled. I left some of my curls peeking out the front to frame my face as a styling choice.

With my balaclava on, I was ready to take on one of Toronto’s coldest days. I wore an all-black outfit made up of cargo pants, a fleece quarter-zip, thick-framed sunglasses, and a puffer jacket sans hood to go out for a walk and run some errands. I was toasty even in a negative temperature and treated the balaclava as the star of my outfit. It was comfortable until I had to put on my face mask to enter stores which became a bit of a hassle, especially as I tried to maneuver the mask ear loops through my tangled hair. If all the back-and-forth is not for you, then I’d recommend trying a ski mask-like balaclava that covers your nose and mouth for ease. 

When the time came to remove it later that day, I pulled the balaclava off by stretching the sides as wide as possible to minimize frizz. My hair was flattened but it was nothing a little zhoosh couldn’t fix. The only downside was the fabric soaked up some hair product which left my curls feeling a bit dry. I went into this experiment fully sure that I would have to slick my hair back (you know, “tone” it down). Instead, I made the trend work for me and the natural state of my hair. My hair grows sideways and upwards, and not every style may be worth hopping on, but the balaclava made me love on my curls just a little more. 

Overall, I can definitely see myself wearing the balaclava more often. It’s a cute accessory that also works as an easy way to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank on new winter gear. 

Ready to give it a try? We got you:

Know how to knit? Check out these options:

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. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Bonnets: Not Just For Babies Anymore

19 Balaclavas To Hide Your Face From The Cold

These Are The Warmest Coats, According To The R29

This Under-$40 Clog Boot Only Looks Expensive

You’re reading an On-Site Shopping story — meaning you can browse, add to cart, and actually purchase the product recommendations featured below without leaving Refinery29. To learn more about our new native checkout feature, click here.

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

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.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Brooklyn Loft That Doubles As A Content Studio

House Paint: Instagram's New Hottest Accessory

Shop The Biggest Home Decor Trend Of 2022

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.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The ‘90s Skirt Suit Is Shorter Than Ever

Chanel's Couture Show Starred Margaret Qualley

Chanel’s Show Featured Garter Bags & Fishnets