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:
-
Not Mesh Flats, Not Suede Sneakers: The Elegant Shoe Trend Jackie O Would Wear With Wide-Leg Pants InsteadAs seen on the set of American Love Story.
-
Low Profile, Suede, and Worn by Kendall Jenner—Meet the Fall It Sneakers Everyone Is Talking AboutI smell a sellout.
-
When Traveling to Europe, This Dress Trend and Heel Trend Will Ensure You Don't Look Out of PlaceTake it from Jennifer Lopez in Poland.
-
This Is the Shorts Color Trend Everyone Is Starting to Wear Because Fall Starts Next MonthTime to transition the wardrobe.
-
9 Shockingly Elegant Denim-Shorts Outfits the Fashion Crowd Is WearingFrom short and frayed to long and baggy.
-
Katie Holmes's Tip for Looking Rich? Lose the Flip-Flops and Wear These Classic Flats (in *This* Color) InsteadA shoe trend to take from summer to fall.
-
Put Aside Your Denim Cutoffs—These 4 Shorts Trends Are Way More ElegantTrust me on this.
-
7 Celeb Outfits That Prove You Can Look Stylish Even When It's SwelteringIf you're in a summer wardrobe rut, this is the inspiration you need.
