Summer wedding season has always tangoed with the high potential for an alfresco setup and a long debate on what shoes to bring.Dressing for beachside and patio nuptials is a tad bit different than regular year-round banquet halls because of nature's uncertainty. So if you're heading to a wedding in June, July, August, or the fair-weathered month of September, you've got to be ready with your party shoes that'll match any weather or destination. Comfortable wedding guest shoes are a strategic part of your overall look if you anticipate walking, standing, or dancing on gravel, grass, or sand.
Comfortable heels may not even be part of the ensemble equation if your invitation promises a picnic in the park or a bonfire by the sea, as stilettos could render a walk to your seat. So, stick to suggestions that give you the best chance of pleasantly partying outside, like chunky summer platforms, kitten heels/low-heel pumps, closed-toe mules, and flats. You can always go barefoot if you can withstand some sole scalding or dirt between your toes, but if you want a functional sandal to complete your wedding guest look, one of the 15 pairs ahead could be your ticket to summer wedding outfit bliss.
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Chunky silhouettes will help you move across uneven patios or lawns. Plus, it'll give you a little height boost to see the shining couple among the sea of people. Not to mention, the ones we picked out have a comfier arch than most sky-high heels.
Reformation Maize Platform Sandal, $, available at Reformation
Comfy Wedding Guest Kitten Heels/Low Heel Pumps
Let it be known: Kitten heels and overall low pumps are a secret MVP when it comes to wedding guest footwear. These low-lift shoes were designed to be worn all night.
Sarah Flint Perfect Natalie Sling 50, $, available at Sarah Flint
Comfy Wedding Guest Mules
No one's stepping on your toes on the dance floor. Protect your feet from any uncomfortable arches, straps, or slipping, and glide right into a sturdy closed-toe mule.
Sam Edelman Linnie Mule (Women), $, available at NordstromShop Steve New York At Nordstrom Rack
STEVEN NEW YORK Valdez Knit Mule (Women), $, available at Nordstrom RackShop Saks Fifth Avenue At Saks OFF 5TH
Saks Fifth Avenue Bow Suede Mules, $, available at Saks OFF 5TH
Comfy Wedding Guest Sandals
Sandals are one of the most breathable and comfortable shoes to wear if you want support for a long summer's day. Also, there are countless stylish variations, from slip-on ones with a slight heel to strappy variations or a classic slide.
Heading off on a trip and don’t know what to wear? Before you rummage for bottoms in the back of your closet, take a gander at these elevated travel pants you’ll soon grow to love. We understand whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, comfort is key. And while we love our trusty leggings and cozy sweats, some folks prefer looking a little more pulled together with stylish bottoms during their trips.
When it came to curating our list of best travel pants, we put in place a set of criteria to meet: They should look versatile enough to wear straight off the plane and for the next stop on your jam-packed schedule, be comfortable enough to withstand whatever weird contortions we end up in when trying to catch sleep on a long-haul flight, and match the rest of our wardrobe enough to be worn multiple days throughout our trip. Along with those requirements are a handful of secondary concerns like wrinkle resistance, technical fabric, and, of course, pockets.
Say hello to our 18 top travel pant picks below. Once you learn the beauty of these sweat-wicking, breezy, and relaxed-fit bottoms, we promise you'll never go back.
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Wide-legged cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. These will keep you looking fab and feeling comfy as you go from boarding to the boardroom.
Bailey 44 Fabina Wide Leg Pant, $, available at Bailey 44
Everlane The Dream Pant
Wrinkle-resistant and business-appropriate (there's pin-tuck detailing!), you'd never guess these cotton blend pants are almost as comfortable as your favorite sweatpants. Look sleek and chic when you get to your destination in Everlane's tailored Dream Pant.
Quince has once again done the (seemingly) impossible. First washable silk, now an ultra-fashionable travel pant. It has the silky silhouette of dress pants with the comfort of your favorite yoga pants. Plus, its pull-on style and four-way stretch add to the beauty of this timeless bottom. You can run, squat, curl up for a mid-flight nap, and otherwise move with ease. We don't blame you if you decide to wear it to work, too.
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pant, $, available at Quince
Lululemon City Sleek 5 Pocket Wide Leg Pant
In case you haven't picked up on it, we're big fans of the cropped trouser look. Aptly named City Pants, these bottoms were specifically created for all-day comfort.
Lululemon City Sleek 5 Pocket Wide Leg Pant, $, available at Lululemon
Pact Denim Chambray Sailor Pant
Comfort is key when it comes to the best travel pants, and as far as we're concerned these pants have it. The durable organic cotton chambray denim and elastic waistband allow for the comfortable stretch you want when jet-setting, but still look polished enough to wear once you arrive at your destination. Plus, the pants are available in four different colors.
PACT Denim Chambray Sailor Pant, $, available at PACT
Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant
If the people behind the athleisure powerhouse brand are brave enough to call these their most versatile pants, then we're game to believe them. The cropped, relaxed-fit bottoms are made with OV's special TerraStretch fabric (a fancy term for four-way stretch) and are weather-resistant (so spill however many in-flight cocktails you want on them).
Cotidie Larissa Perfect Length Trousers, $, available at Cotidie
Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants
You could plane, train, or automobile in these slim-fit pants that do indeed include pockets. These durable bottoms have the comfort of sweats and the polished look of slacks — the best of both worlds. Plus they are made with at least 60% recycled materials.
Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants, $, available at Adidas
Alo Yoga Legend Snap Pant
It's your high school track pants with an elevated twist. The eye-catching snaps down the sides look stylish, not like you might start break-dancing mid-gym class.
Alo Yoga Legend Snap Pant, $, available at Alo Yoga
Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pant
Who ever thought there could be comfortable yet professional pants with side panels? They not only offer some much-needed circulation for travel days but also add some flair to your 'fit.
Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pant, $, available at Athleta
Theory Slim Kick Crop Pants
There's always that one person who prefers dressing up for travel. If you've evolved to this higher plane of being, try out Theory's Kick Crop Pants – they're sleek yet still designed for comfort.
Theory Slim Kick Crop Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Free People One Billie Pants
Opt for an edgy travel look with the cool jogger-style Billie Pants available in eight colorways. They all have the thoughtful touches of a delicate lace-up bottom hem, pleated front, and dramatic smocked waistband, too. If you're a lover of the little things, this pant has all the extra oomph you could ask for.
FP One | Free People Billie Pants, $, available at Free People
Ugg Ericka Relaxed Jogger
Sometimes you want a pair of effortless joggers to get you through the long commute. That's where Ugg's joggers come in. They have a relaxed fit with a drawstring waistband that gives off the homey, snug vibe of your beloved sweatpants. The no-fuss look is easy to style and pairs effortlessly with your go-to crewneck or hoodie.
Traveling is a production: You have to get to the airport, check-in, and get to your gate on time — all without misplacing your phone and ticket. Enter the utility wide-leg pants equipped with pockets to store all your essentials. It's made from a cozy cotton blend so you can just enjoy the journey.
Daily Practice by Anthropologie Utility Wide-Leg Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Eloquii Cropped Side Stripe Pant
Want to look cute while feeling just as comfortable as you would in your pajamas? We recommend a ribbed matching set, like this getup from Eloquii. The knit pants and elastic pull-on waist are just the cherry on top of looking extra chic as you turn the airplane's aisle into your own personal runway.
Juicy Couture Rib Waist Velour Pants With Drawcord, $, available at Zappos
Summersalt The Palazzo Pant With Ties
Once you reach your destination, you could straight to the pool to lounge in these breezy pants. The fabric is made from recycled charmeuse, so it's wrinkle-resistant, anti-microbial, and anti-static. (No one will know that you've been traveling for hours.) You can work in them, lounge in them, and they're perfect for throwing over your swimsuits.
Summersalt The Palazzo Pant With Ties, $, available at Summersalt
Dayoung Bootcut Yoga Pants
When wearing these fitted pants, you'll feel like you can confidently hand over your business card the next time you're hanging out in the airport lounge. They'll never have to know that your comfort level is on the same wavelength as your favorite worn-in yoga leggings.
Dayoung Bootcut Yoga Pants, $, available at Amazon
Pact Chambray Sunday Pant
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just because we live in our cotton sweats at home doesn't mean we can't find a more suitable alternative for our travel excursions. Consider a pair of chambray joggers: The breathable fabric leaves you comfortable everywhere, and it's chic enough to wear throughout your vacation (especially if it's a trip near the beach).
Wide-legged cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. They offer some additional circulation for when you and your partner are fighting over the A/C knobs during a long-distance car drive, and they allow your legs to feel a little less restricted.
Remember what we said about wide legs being a smart choice? These side-split pants take it to the next level with slits on the inside that allow for better movement. And don't forget the naturally breathable cotton fleece fabric, which your legs will thank you for once that stuffy airplane air starts to feel overwhelmingly warm.
Adidas Sportswear Wide-Leg Fleece Pants, $, available at Adidas
Alo Yoga Courtside Tearaway Snap Pant
It's your high school track pants with an elevated twist. The eye-catching snaps down the sides look stylish, not like you might start break-dancing mid-gym class. It's also made of soft French terry instead of nylon, which is perfect for the cooler seasons — and they won't make any noise as you rush for your gate.
Alo Yoga Courtside Tearaway Snap Pant, $, available at Alo Yoga
Athleta Keys Intention Pant
Wide-legged cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. They offer some additional circulation for when you and your partner are fighting over the A/C knobs during a long-distance car drive, and they allow your legs to feel a little less restricted.
Athleta X Alicia Keys Keys Intention Pant, $, available at Athleta
Adidas Spacer Pants with Binding Details
These side-split pants take wide-leg comfort to the next level with snappable buttons on the side to allow you to show as much (or as little) leg as you want.
Adidas Spacer Pants with Binding Details, $, available at Adidas
Adidas Future Icons Badge Of Sport Flare Pants
You could plane, train, or automobile in these slim-fit pants that do indeed include pockets. These flared bottoms have the comfort of sweats and the polished look of slacks — the best of both worlds.
Adidas Future Icons Badge Of Sport Flare Pants, $, available at Adidas
Pact Woven Twill Roll Up Pant
Comfort is key in searching for the best travel pants, and as far as we're concerned these pants got it. The durable organic cotton twill and elastic waistband allow for some stretch that's bound to happen with jet setting and rolled cuff adds some flair to your fit. Plus, the pants are available in nine different colors.
For the past two years, platforms have dominated shoe trends, appearing in everything from comfy sneakers to impossible-to-walk-in heels. But there’s another shape claiming the title for 2023: wedges.
While wedges have long remained a footwear staple, their popularity reached an unprecedented peak in the 2010s, when wedge sneakers were the must-have footwear. The latter, specifically, shaped 2010s fashion, thanks to Isabel Marant’s hate-to-love wedge sneakers, which trickled down to the mass market in overwhelming volumes (the label re-issued this style in 2021).
But the history of the wedge dates back to the 1920s and 1930s when Salvatore Ferragamo launched the modern wedge shoe, creating a comfortable heel that allowed women to have functionality and style. “A wedge allows you to get the height and feel of a stiletto but in a more modern, and frankly comfortable, silhouette,” Jeffrey Kalinsky, Theory’s chief merchant and creative officer, tells Refinery29. “There’s something modern and fresh about it that creates an almost aerodynamic element to the design.”
This is precisely why wedges are making a big comeback in 2023. After years of sky high footwear, the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction, with ballet flats being one of the trendiest styles of the year. But, for those who still want to have some height in their stride, wedges provide a comfy and versatile solution. They’re also styling chameleons: The wedges seen at Tory Burch were paired with stretchy leggings and skirts, while the versions shown at Theory were styled with everything from mini dresses and tights to skirt suits and skinny pants.
If the thought of another wedge sneaker craze scares you, don’t fret. Let the options below win you over instead.
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If your spring wardrobe calls for a seasonally appropriate update, the best place to start is from the bottom. Solid style choices begin with a fashionable foundation, so what better way to step into a series of fresh ensembles this year than in one of the biggest shoe trends of 2023?
Maybe you’re contemplating a pair of sneakers to kick things off but have no idea if something dad-approved, chunky, or classic white is the way to go. Perhaps you’re in need of a trusty winter boot but are unsure if it should land above, below, or right around the knee. Toiling over whether or not giant platform heels are really worth the inevitable tumble?
Ahead, we’ve got answers to all these questions and more. And while the best fashion trends will always be whichever ones are worthy of your very own style moodboard, let this be an accessory guide for what the sartorial savants are adopting this season, should you wish to follow in their footsteps.
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.
Shoe Trend 2023: Mary-Janes
The appeal of preppy attire has yet to fade in 2023, but when it comes to the aesthetic’s favored shoe style, don’t settle for a plain old Mary Jane. The latest twist on this trend takes the classic silhouette up a notch, sometimes even literally with chunky soles and sky-high heels. Think: luxe fabrics, bold patterns, multiple straps, and pearly embellishments.
Shoe Trend 2023: Knee-High Boots
In the same way skirt hems are (somewhat) believed to rise and fall with stock prices, certain boot lengths are favored over others depending on the mood of each season. Not as low as a bootie but not as tall as its over-the-knee counterpart, the knee-high boot is the perfect in-between option no matter what color, fabric, or heel you pair it with.
Shoe Trend 2023: Magenta
Pantone revealed Viva Magenta to be the official color of 2023, meaning a magical melange of crimson red, hot pink, fuchsia, raspberry, and maroon will be making its way into our closets in the form of one bright, bold hue. There’s no wrong way to wear this mood-enhancing hue, which can give everything from sneakers and flats to heels an extra punch.
Shoe Trend 2023: Fancy Flats
As much as platform soles are having a moment right now, so, too, are flats, from ballerina styles to the pointy-toed tips that were peak Y2K. But don’t confuse these flats for commuter shoes, because what they lack in height they make up for in sparkle. These are fancy flats fit for dance floors and fabulous fêtes.
Shoe Trend 2023:Moto Boot
Biker fashion is officially in thanks to motorcycle-inspired everything on the spring/summer 2023 runways. There were buckles and gloves and leather galore, with protective pants and moto jackets cementing the aesthetic as a style staple. You don’t need to be racing to appreciate what the trend can add to your winter wardrobe, and dipping your toe in with a chunky boot is a good place to start.
Shoe Trend 2023: Bow Ties
As much as we love chic suiting, this dazzling trend has nothing to do with tuxedos. Instead, think of your feet as gifts to be wrapped, your toes as tiny presents you can tie right up in a bow. That’s the signature look of up-and-coming brands like Mach & Mach, founded in 2017 by a pair of Tbilisi-based sisters who are on their way to having their biggest year yet.
Shoe Trend 2023: Hybrid Sneakers
What happens when you cross the always-cool sneaker silhouette with a practical hiking shoe? Believe it or not, you get an ultra-trendy hybrid model that can take you from outdoor excursions to indoor reservations — no footwear change required.
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