You can find NYC-based Catbird‘s delicate pieces the world over, from the halls of Buckingham Palace to the streets of Brooklyn. While it counts Meghan Markle, Taylor Swift, and Emma Watson among its many fans, Catbird doesn’t come with the A-list price tag one might expect from this star-studded roster. The brand’s best-selling stackable rings and minimalist hoops, fashioned from ethically sourced materials, have garnered somewhat of a cult following, in large part due to its designs starting at under $100 (the duchess’s Threadbare Ring, for example, is just $44). Aside from its beloved Holy Cannoli charm, Catbird’s latest capsule collection might just be the sweetest yet, and it certainly beats the classic bouquet as a gifting pick for Valentine’s Day.
Earlier this week, Catbird launched its Poetry of Flowers collection featuring hand-engraved birth flower charms crafted from 14K recycled gold, with prices ranging from $158 to $178. Each piece has an original drawing of the flower associated with its specific month (snowdrops for January, for example, daisies for April, roses for June) with its meaning etched on the backside. Chief Creative Officer Leigh Plessner describes these charms as little snow globes filled with lots of unique details.
“We had been searching for a way to express time, seasons, and birth months while allowing for openness of choice and motion across a collection,” Plessner tells R29. “Birth flowers are a lovely tradition that incorporates floriography, the language and meaning of flowers, and seasonality.” Her personal favorite: Lily of the valley, which is paired with May, the month in which they bloom.
While these special petals are not as popular as birthstones, their glittery counterparts, the birth flower trend is certainly blooming, offering an equally sentimental alternative for a giftee who’s all set on the stone front. The idea behind this botanical tradition is that the characteristics of each month’s flower reflect the potential traits inherited by individuals with birthdays at that time, meaning this is an unexpected way to celebrate your own creativity (if you’re a daffodil-donning March baby), or to pay homage to an admirable quality in someone else (we’re looking at you, poppy people of August and your excellent memories). What’s more: The charm you choose is certainly not limited to a corresponding date.
“You can give a birth month, or the month you met, or your child’s birth month, or as a memento mori for a loved one lost. I also think it would be so special to choose the flower that most calls to mind your loved one, and whose qualities (each charm has two qualities engraved on the back) are tied to your beloved,” Plessner explains.
To shake up your usual gifting routine this Valentine’s Day—or whichever occasion typically calls for an online bouquet order—explore the full selection of what Plessner has dubbed “poem charms” on Catbird’s website for the most meaningful kind of flower present you can find.
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The coronavirus pandemic has made us feel stagnant in many ways. The coming and going of new variants and constant threats of yet another lockdown have made it hard to move ahead and plan for the future. In turn, movement is what we’re all yearning for. So it comes as no surprise that fringe, one of spring 2022’s most defining trends, exhibits exactly that: our collective desire to forge forward in our most festive attire.
Since the pandemic took hold, many trends from the roaring ‘20s and excess ‘80s have made a comeback. It makes sense: The flapper era — filled with The Great Gatsby-esque parties and sequins — followed WWI. Meanwhile, the ‘80s trailed two decades filled with social and political upheaval (sound familiar?). Thanks to the recent Omicron wave, we’re not yet in full party mode. It’s a good thing then that designers are bringing trends, like fringe, party embellishments, and statement sleeves, in ways we can wear in our everyday lives. Fendi’s fall 2021, for example, included fringe, furry coats paired with minimalist slip dresses, while Proenza Schouler showed fringe-adorned pieces in otherwise-simple silhouettes.
Fringe has been around for a long time in fashion (see: the ’20s and the ’60s), but this latest wave is infused with more details than just dangly pieces of fabric hanging from one’s legs. Jonathan Simkhai’s designs were adorned with knots, while Alejandra Alonso Rojas’s take on the trend appeared in the form of layered, waterfall-like skirts. Designers are also forgoing fabric altogether to create fringed hemlines, much like Proenza Schouler’s beaded, pendulous embellishments.
Although it may seem that, much like the fringed hemlines, we’ve all come undone in this pandemic, this fashion trend is reminding us to look ahead. To days when we are not only moving forward but dancing into the future.
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If you’ve spent any time looking at running shoes (or everyday ugly dad sneakers, for that matter), it’s likely that you’ve already come across HOKA. Known for its extremely cushioned soles, the chunky sneaker brand doesn’t really boast any sleek or sexy silhouettes — but that seems to be part of the overall appeal amongst fanatics who are obsessed with the cloud-like bounce of HOKA styles. And, unlike other global athletic brands that blur the line between the authentic sporty stuff with the more lifestyle-focused, non-athletic wares (that are less appropriate for actual workouts), HOKA continues to operate with a zeroed-in, singular focus: to provide solutions for people who are constantly on their feet, whether they’re marathon runners, nurses, or pavement-pounding urbanites. In other words, HOKA sticks to what it knows and doesn’t try too hard (or doesn’t even seem to care) to be something that they’re not.
“At first, our consumers consisted primarily of runners who were ‘in the know’ about athletic shoe trends, and now everyone is trying HOKA — college kids, Olympic athletes, streetwear influencers, fashion designers, walkers, people who are recovering from an injury, etc.,” Gretchen Weimer, HOKA’s Global VP of Product, writes me in an email. “Our dedication to providing both an exceptional product and an ethos of inclusivity has led to a substantial amount of word-of-mouth recommendations that has propelled us to become one of the fastest-growing brands in the industry.” (On the topic of the brand’s inclusive styles, Weimer writes, “We know that men and women often share the same desire for both colorful or neutral-colored footwear, but the difference comes down to the wearing occasion. The approach with our all-gender styles was more driven by that desire, and not trying to specify that certain styles or colors are only for men or women; it feels more inclusive.”) And, in a series of very smart partnerships, HOKA has also catapulted into the fashion stratosphere via collaborations with hip brands like Outdoor Voices, Opening Ceremony, and Engineered Garments.
But, even after many successful runs on limited-edition collab styles, HOKA remains loyal to the long-distance joggers who first put the brand on the map. Colorado-based Hayley Cashdollar, who has completed eight marathons, two ultramarathons, and typically runs at least an hour every day and several hours on weekends, says, “I first heard about HOKAs years ago when one of my friends was having trouble with her feet and high-impact HIIT classes. She found HOKA and loved them…so I also took the plunge and found they were perfect for my recovery runs on the day after long runs. They were like running on clouds and were noticeably more comfortable on my feet. I’m not looking for that type of comfort on all of my runs, but it has a time and place and HOKAs are a great recovery tool for me personally.” When I asked if she’s noticed how HOKAs have been embraced by style folks, she observes, “With sneakers, in general, being so popular, it feels inevitable that something as unique as the big sole on the HOKA would capture the attention of non-runners.”
NYC-based running coach and jump rope enthusiast Caitlin Lee (who has run nine marathons and over 100 road races), tells me she also discovered HOKA through word-of-mouth: “I first heard about HOKAs from my running friends in 2015 or 2016. My initial reaction was that they were ugly and bulky-looking, and it was hard to transition from the idea of ultralight shoes that also looked minimalist. The reason I gave in, though, was because they are truly very supportive and well-made. I feel that they actually impacted my running form, forcing me to use more of my foot, rather than just running on my forefoot,” she says. Plus, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where she lives, “people stop me on the street all the time — if I’m at a stoplight to cross, someone always has a comment [on my HOKAs]. And I definitely see people just wearing them with dresses or jeans.”
When HOKA sent over a pair of Bondi X for me to test drive, I first thought the brand sent me the wrong size — the shoes looked huge. Turns out, I was fooled by the protruding soles. The sneakers did fit true to size. And, the soles were so bouncy and cushy that I felt like I had slight motion sickness (which quickly dissipated once I got used to the squishiness). The shoes also have a rocking quality to them that makes me want to spring forward. As a person who primarily runs for the bus or subway, and occasionally runs for the purpose of cardio (though, TBH, I can only really do up to one mile before I’m pooped), I can see how HOKAs encourage “running behavior.” Despite the soles being so thick, the shoes are actually super lightweight because of all the advanced technical details.
“A few elements that make HOKAs stand out are our Meta-Rocker geometry, which complements the natural gait cycle and reduces the height differential between heel and toe,” says Weimer. “And our styles are equipped with carbon fiber plates, allowing for a propulsive ride as the plate curls under toes to deliver a smooth transition through the gait cycle.”
At the time of writing this, I’ve been wearing HOKAs for six months now and I can confidently say that these sneakers continue to hold up performance-wise (a major upside to such chonk soles is that the wear-and-tear happens far more slowly). The spring in my step hasn’t lost any bounce and, on the occasion that I do go out for a jog, these shoes offer a comfortable cradle-cushion so it doesn’t feel like my heels are digging into the pavement with every impact. These Bondi X’s have got me lighter on my feet and the propulsion actually encourages me to run longer at a steadier pace because the springy sensation simply feels nice on my legs. On the style front, my HOKAs are worn with regularity — they look as “rad dad” with a pair of jeans as they do with activewear. The only complaint I have is that my once-white HOKAs are now thoroughly lived-in and dirty, but that’s on me (and my feet).
Below, I asked Weimer to identify and elaborate on HOKA’s five top-selling sneaker styles for women, what activity they’re best suited for, and how each style is differentiated. And, for your sneaker-shopping convenience, these are also sorted in the order of most hyped to least hyped, based on real customer ratings and reviews found on hoka.com.
Product Breakdown: Available in 10 colors, widths regular and wide, women’s sizes 5–12 Best For: Road running What The Brand Says: “This is the most cushioned shoe in the HOKA road shoe lineup, delivering a smooth, balanced ride over any distance with its ultra-soft memory foam designed to accommodate a narrower heel and a collar that conforms to a wide variety of ankles, cradling the Achilles,” says Weimer. The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 4,412 reviews on hoka.com What HOKA Fans Say: “I have very wide feet and usually have to resort to men’s shoes to get the width I need. Hoka Bondis are so very comfortable, and I can get them in women’s styles! My shoes are so very comfortable and I love them very much. I’ve now gotten my husband, my two best friends, and their husbands to get Hokas for themselves. One of the men even claims that wearing them has helped his back issues a bit. I love these shoes, and highly recommend them. I’m on my third pair BTW, and have no intentions of ever changing brands.”
Product Breakdown: Available in 7 colors, widths regular and wide, women’s sizes 5–11, all gender sizes M5/W6–M14/W15, and in waterproof GORE-TEX Best For: Trail running What The Brand Says: “Named for HOKA athlete Karl ‘Speedgoat’ Meltzer, the Speedgoat 4 is part of an award-winning family known for making quick work of technical terrain. Grippy on the uphill and secure on the downhill, the Speedgoat 4 is fit for every trail,” says Weimer. The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars and 525 reviews on hoka.com What HOKA Fans Say: “These are hands down the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I’m an RN, running on my feet all day, days on end. These are awesome, comfortable and cute! I literally feel like I have a bounce in my step.”
Product Breakdown: Available in 7 colors, widths regular and wide, women’s sizes 5–12 Best For: Road running What The Brand Says: “The Clifton 8 delivers the perfect combination of soft and light with one of our most energetic foams to date, perfect for pounding pavement,” says Weimer. The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 408 reviews on hoka.com What HOKA Fans Say: “I got the Clifton 8 after reading so many reviews, and seeing they had a 30-day wear and return policy. I wore them for park days at Disney World, and they are the first shoe in years to make my feet feel the same in the morning and at night. I have broken my big toe, and have Plantar Fasciitis in my right foot, so no shoe is ever comfortable too long, but these were great. They are like walking on clouds. And I didn’t need to do much breaking in before wearing them to the parks. I wore them a day or two to work before heading to Disney. Highly recommend!!!”
Product Breakdown: Available in 8 colors, regular width only, women’s sizes 5–11 Best For: Road running What The Brand Says: “Positioned as an endurance racer, the Carbon X2 delivers the same propulsive speed as its predecessor in an adaptable silhouette geared for training and racing alike,” says Weimer. The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 109 reviews on hoka.com What HOKA Fans Say: “These are wonderful! I am loathe to praise them too much, yet, as it’s only been a few dozen miles, but – fingers crossed – I’ve had no ITB/knee issues since the switch [to these sneakers], and have been loving the sheer feeling of propulsion in these.”
Product Breakdown: Available in 5 colors, widths regular and wide, women’s sizes 5–12 Best For: Road running What The Brand Says: “Delivering the best cushion-to-weight ratio on the market, the Rincon 3 is an extremely light silhouette with an asymmetrical tongue, thinner pull tab, and a vented-mesh upper for ultimate breathability,” says Weimer. “Also, our extra-light midsole foam sports aggressive cutouts and enhanced rubber coverage for improved durability.” The Hype: 3.9 out of 5 stars and 36 reviews on hoka.com What HOKA Fans Say: “Man… I’m usually a Clifton girl but I was really interested to give the Rincon a try and I’m SO glad I did. I was a little nervous about how light the shoes were out of the box, like cmon these are really gonna feel good?!?! Well butter my biscuit YEPPPPP! I felt super light and my feet and the responsiveness of the shoes is impressive! Glad I made the switch!!”
This story was originally published on October 18, 2021.
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Style and beauty expert Kahlana Barfield Brown is an avid thrifter. If you follow her on Instagram, you know that her styling videos and fashion photos often leave her audience wondering where she finds those unique and chic pieces, especially her denim collection. Turns out, Barfield Brown gets many staples of her impressive wardrobe from secondhand shopping.
Since the pandemic hit and searching through vintage racks at thrift shops in real life was put on hold, Barfield Brown has still found a way to make it work, partnering with Facebook Marketplace to continue her secondhand shopping experience virtually, and declutter her own closet at the same time. Beyond just making space for new items this New Year, her goal is for consumers to be more intentional about sustainability with their wardrobes without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of buying new clothes, she wants more of us to search secondhand first. R29Unbothered caught up with Barfield Brown, who shared helpful tips on how to elevate the fashion pieces she’s found, tricks for figuring out what to sell from her closet on FB marketplace, and trends she’s eyeing in 2022.
Unbothered: How long (or often) have you shopped secondhand and what pieces do you typically look for?
Kahlana Barfield Brown: No matter what the occasion is I always feel like there’s a way to wear denim. Even if it’s like a very, very dressy event, I love to dress up a great pair of jeans. I always find the most unique and interesting vintage jeans. Before the world changed, I would go to the Lower East Side in New York and I would just spend a Saturday going into vintage shops trying on different kinds of cuts and styles. I’m not really going into stores now. So for me, Facebook Marketplace is like virtual thrifting. I mainly use it at the moment to shop for different denim.
Kahlana, how long have you been using FB Marketplace and what three pieces have you purchased that have become staples in your closet?
KBB: I’ve been using Facebook Marketplace for a few months now. I’ve always been like an avid thrifter in combination with, just like a shopper in general. There’s nothing better for my personal look than mixing a great thrift piece with a designer piece. The main thing for me is that I’m a denim girl, so I would probably say a pair of jeans, cargo pants, and a great black designer clutch that I was able to snag are staples in my closet.
Growing up, how did your family influence you when it came to shopping secondhand and thrifting?
KBB: To be honest, it wasn’t something that I grew up doing. I definitely would shop in my mom’s closet in high school. I wore a lot of her older pieces that she didn’t wear anymore. It’s so funny how the tables turned because now my mom will not get out of my closet. But it wasn’t until I moved to New York after I graduated from college and I started working at InStyle and I was in Paris with an editor that I actually went into a thrift store. She showed me where she’d go shopping for vintage pieces to find out of season one-of-a-kind items. I really learned then to appreciate thrifting.
“I asked myself three questions going through pieces: when was the last time I wore this item, will I ever wear this item again, and will I be mad if I see someone else with this item knowing I had it, but I let it go?”
Kahlana Barfield Brown
In an age where sustainability is being treated as a “trend” (and sometimes as a luxury), how can brands ensure sustainability remains accessible?
KBB: One thing that I’ve noticed is that a lot of designer brands are playing with vintage and recycled material which I absolutely love. For example, they take a pair of denim and add patchwork, then market the price up to $2000. That goes against everything that we’re trying to do here. I feel like brands need to be more aware of that and really make it more accessible to people.
What are some tips for people looking to declutter their closet and want to sell items on the FB marketplace?
KBB: I just did this. I asked myself three questions going through pieces: when was the last time I wore this item, will I ever wear this item again, and will I be mad if I see someone else with this item knowing I had it, but I let it go? I like to donate, resell, and give away items so that I’m able to see what I have in my closet. But there are definitely things that are in my closet I probably will never wear and still have tags on them. [Sometimes] I l purchase [items] because they are like a piece of art to me. So when you’re ready to sell make sure to take quality photos of the pieces to post. To me, that is like an indicator that this person cared and took care of this piece and cares about the way it’s displayed.
For people still working from home and who may be struggling with their personal style, can you share some easy style advice/tips that can help with being camera-ready?
KBB: I think picking out some tops that are eye-catching with textures or patterns is a great start. I usually add earrings that are gold or have some color to them. I have my go-to tops because I know that they always work for me. I know this sounds extra but I test out my looks and take screenshots to see how I’d look on a real call and make sure my lighting is right as well. The good thing about it is that you only have to worry about the upper half of your body.
What trends are you most excited for in 2022?
KBB: Back in September 2021, I went to fashion week and the thing I like most is that people just want to be comfortable. Athleisure really is not going away. This is great because naturally, my style is very comfortable. I love sweatsuits and dressing them up and down. What I’m excited about is the continuation of trends like oversized denim, trench coats, and wedge boots. I’m a heel girl too so I love that I’ll be able to wear a comfortable heel and still feel sexy. I do feel like [everything] is still going to be very comfortable. That’s exciting to me because all the trends that are coming out are all things that I naturally incorporate within my style.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
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