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AKA I texted my most fashionable friend for advice.
There comes a time in every runner’s life when they realize, “Oh crap, I have been wearing nothing but sneakers and activewear for 17 straight months.” That time hit me a few weeks ago when my millionth pair of running shoes—the Hoka Bondi 9s—arrived on my doorstep. I was giddy to try them out, but I also wondered how I could possibly implement these into my regular clothes routine. So, I texted my very fashionable friend, Bella Gerard, for advice. Gerard, a fashion editor and content creator, must have felt charitable because she gave me three fabulous outfits to wear with my Hokas off the track.
“When styling sneakers outside the gym, it’s all about intentionality,” Gerard says. “If it looks like you put effort into your look from head to ankles and then just threw on your comfiest kicks, the outfit won’t make sense! Leaning into recognizable sporty textures or silhouettes can make styling everyday garb with sneakers feel much more cohesive.” And so my journey styling chunky running shoes with her incredible winter outfit ideas began.
The Shoe:
Hoka Women’s Bondi 9
$170 at Hoka.com View on Zappos $170 at Dick’s
The Hoka Bondi 9 is the epitome of a classic Hoka running shoe—it’s chunky, cushioned to the max, and brimmed out with supportive structuring from your toes to your heels. It’s a podiatrist’s dream, and as an RCAA-certified running coach and marathoner, I love these for walks and recovery runs. The cool thing about these (and Hokas, in general) is that they come in vibrant or subtle color options. Gerard and I planned to use both vibes for my outfits.
Outfit 1: Off-Duty, On Trend
On days when I have a lot to do but still want to look put together, I’ll reach for this outfit. It’s comfy, cute, and has an edge that makes me feel like I’m a member of the hottest Pilates studio in town. Gerard said pants like these with unique details such as an exaggerated waistband, extra-long drawstrings, and side details add interest to an otherwise monotone outfit. I loved how the pop of pants helps draw the eye to the shoes and how the Hoka Bondi 9s and Free People top have the same complementary black and white color combination.
Outfit Details:
- Champ Is Here Pants, $98
- We The Free Twofer Tank, $48
- Hoka Bondi 9 in Black and White, $170
- Lululemon Daily Multi-Pocket Tote Bag, $68
Outfit 2: Dark Double Denim
Good for the office, brunch with friends, or date night, this Canadian tuxedo was perfection in every way. I felt like I was a Very Fashionable Person you would see on a Pinterest board filled with office outfit ideas. It’s supremely versatile and covered up the shoes a bit but still allowed their bright pop of color to peek through. I liked how the huge stack height (cushion) resembled a more dressy shoe.
“The color combinations are bold but not so busy as to limit your options when getting dressed,” Gerard explained. “As for the shoe’s silhouette, the chunky stack height creates an on-trend platform look without sacrificing comfort, thanks to the ultra-cushioned inners.” Gerard always recommends dressing up sneakers with dark-wash denim because that wash instantly elevates the shoes. “Complete the look with the matching denim bag and gold accessories to play up the hardware,” she said.
Outfit Details:
- Cocoon-Sleeve Denim Lady Jacket in Essex Wash, $128
- Superwide-Leg Jeans in Essex Wash, $148
- The Camera Mini Bag in Dark Denim Multi, $88
- Hoka Bondi 9 in Blue Spark, $170
Outfit 3: Wrong Shoe Theory
Gerard and I originally planned on using the Aster Flower color of Hokas, but things got lost in the shuffle, so to stay true to the Wrong Shoe Theory, we kept the Blue Spark Hokas on hand, or rather, foot. “The theory states that styling the ‘wrong shoe’ with a look—and by ‘wrong,’ I mean the unexpected choice—helps take an outfit from obvious to exciting,” Gerard says.
She put together a quintessential Parisian outfit for me with a little twist. The shoes add a quirky vibe to the otherwise relaxed look. The key here is to go with subtle staple pieces like a taupe pant and a denim shirt to allow the shoes to pop. Gerard also recommended a feathery pencil skirt from J.Crew, but I was simply too scared to try it. After dipping my toes into dressing for this theory, I’m ready to jump into the water, so perhaps I’ll snag the statement piece while it’s on sale.
Outfit Details:
- The Effortless Pant, $148
- The ‘90s Classic Denim Shirt, $48.99 (was $98)
- Vegan Suede Slouchy Tote Bag, $69.95
- Hoka Bondi 9 in Blue Spark, $170