In case you haven't noticed, everyone is wearing athletic shorts right now, from tiny Miu Miu–inspired briefs to slightly less tiny soccer shorts. Sorry to your jorts collection, but they can't compete with this buzzy summer trend, especially now that both Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber have hopped on board. There's just one thing you need to know before you toss out all your other leg-baring bottoms and stock up on ones designed for gym class: sneakers aren't the shoes to wear with them. I know they sound like the correct choice, but after studying both Kravitz and Bieber's athletic-shorts outfits, I can say with 100% certainty that the right shoes to wear are open-toe mules and open-toe mules only.
Bieber wore the combo a long time ago, actually, but when I saw Kravitz's outfit from mid-July, I instantly recalled seeing the Rhode founder wearing a similar look on her Instagram. She posted the photo of herself wearing a red-and-gold jersey with the number 8 on it, matching red athletic shorts, and a pair of black heeled open-toe mules way back in August of 2023, in a photo dump. Obviously, I saved it immediately.
On Hailey Bieber: Alex Moss necklace
On Zoë Kravitz: Saint Laurent bag; Manolo Blahnik Jada Heeled Sandals ($825); N21 shorts; Jessica McCormack jewelry
Almost two years later, the athletic shorts and mules look is still clearly going strong, with Kravitz donning the combo in the form of a pair of black-and-white bottoms, a vintage Black History Month T-shirt, Manolo Blahnik open-toe mules, and Saint Laurent's Baby Icare Hobo handbag (thus becoming the first person to carry the not-yet-released style). The look, which was coincidentally styled by Bieber's stylist Dani Michelle, was perfection, as are all of Kravitz's street-style ensembles.
To re-create these looks at home this summer, keep scrolling. I've rounded up plenty of athletic shorts and mules for you to shop.
Shop athletic shorts and open-toe mules:
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Just Wait, Everyone Everywhere Will Be Wearing This Unexpected Sneaker Color Trend in 3, 2, 1…Spotted on Hailey Bieber in L.A.
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No, Really—This Denim Color Is Easier to Style Than Blue *and* Black JeansAnd everyone with taste is wearing it with loafers for fall.
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This Fall Skirt Trend Will Log More Hours of Wear Time Than Your Mini and Maxi Skirts CombinedGuaranteed.
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It's Controversial (I Know), But Frequent Fashion Flyers Swear By This Jeans Outfit for Long FlightsIt involves an elegant leather coat and chic luggage.
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It's Here: The Elegant Shoe Trend Fashion People Are Trading Kitten Heels ForElizabeth Olsen is keyed in, per usual.
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7 Outfit Trends You'll See on Every Person With Good Taste at the Airport This FallYou could be one of those people.
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Forget Ballet Flats—Fashion People in Paris Prefer This Elevated AlternativeThe next It shoes are here.
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If You Live in NYC, You *Should* Know That the Chicest Way to Wear a Miniskirt and Tights in Fall Is With This Elegant Shoe Color TrendIt's not black pumps or white sneakers.
