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. 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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Forget Flip-Flops and Strappy Sandals—This Is the Elegant Shoe Trend Fashion People Are Wearing With Pedal PushersHailey Bieber and EmRata are among the fashion girls.
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I Swear By Elegant Outfits—35 Standout Items That Would Fit Right Into My ClosetHere's to a chicer outfit rotation.
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No One Will Question Your Trend-Forward Status If You Wear Denim Shorts With *These* ShoesTyla gets it.
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This Is the Pretty Skirt Color Trend Elegant Dressers in Rome Are Suddenly Wearing With Black FlatsFollow Dakota Johnson's lead.
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If You Hate Denim Shorts, It's Because You're Not Styling Them With *This* Fresh and Sophisticated Shoe TrendHold the sneakers.
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I'm Booking an Emergency Mani-Pedi After Spotting These 5 Pretty Skirt-and-Sandal CombosSeen on Kylie Jenner and Alexa Chung.
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Forget Wimbledon Whites—at Centre Court, *This* Was the Summer Shoe Color to Wear With DressesIt's not black either.
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FYI: Fashion People in Spain Are Wearing This Elegant Pant Trend Instead of Wide-Leg JeansJ.Lo approves.
