Reviewers Say These 25 Shoes Require Zero Breaking-In

Platform sandals that will surely ~level up~ any casual outfit since these pair nicely with dresses, jeans, and shorts. No matter what color you get these in (and there's plenty to choose from), you won't regret it because they seamlessly blend cute and comfy into one shoe.
A pair of dainty little sneakers with ribbon and lace detailing, if you want your cottage core style to go all the way down to your toes. These have a memory foam sole for extra comfort and come with regular shoelaces for those who appreciate having options.
An iconic Teva sandal, since you sometimes want to let your puppies breathe instead of cramming them into a hiking boot. Many reviewers say that these last for years and are worth every penny. Plus, they come in sooo many different color combinations.
Some braided heel sandals, which are actually comfortable, so you can go to dinner, the local bar, and the club all without saying "ouch" every step you take. The 2-inch heel is great for anyone who wants just a little height, minus the foot pain!
A pair of cowboy boots that work for college game days, a night out with friends at the Beyoncé concert, a weekend trip, and... you get the point. These will make sure you get through any occasion with no pain or blisters, all while looking just plain boot-iful.
Aerothotic flip-flops featuring soft straps, arch support, and a cloud-like insole for the ultimate walking sandal. Yeah, you probably didn't think that you'd be choosing flops over traditional walking trainers, but these ones are sooo comfy (and they're sweat-resistant) for those long summer days.
Dr. Scholl's Time Off Sneaker — a TikTok favorite because they're just as stylish as your classic Converses, Nike AF1s, or Vejas... BUT they are actually comfortable and will get you through those days when you go well beyond the 10,000-step goal.
Or, some Dr. Scholl's slip-ons that might just have you kicking your feet because they've got a cushy insole and are easy to take on and off. Many reviewers choose these as their go-to walking shoes when they're on vacation.
Sorel strappy sandals sure to add some fun to your outfit because of the unique scalloped platform soles. You'll be walking for miles, getting compliments left and right, all while enjoying the sweet, sweet comfort of these cool kicks with an EVA footbed.
An oh-so-classic pair of slip-on pointed toe ballet flats if you're wanting a shoe that looks like the Rothy's version, but can't justify the $160 price tag. These give you that same breathable fabric and are designed for all-day wear, so you can be struttin' your stuff with no blisters in sight.
Hey Dude lace-up loafers so easy to slip on and off, you might think they are a close cousin to your comfy slippers back at home. They're lightweight, have a memory foam insole for ultimate support, and are even machine washable.
A pair of platform sandals that will earn their spot as your favorite shoe of the summer. The knit upper hugs your foot without being too constricting, and the memory foam sole makes sure that every step you take feels like you're walking on sunshine (woooaahhhh 🎶☀️).
Tioseban sneakers because the Balenciagas that look like socks that Cardi B was talking about are just a little... okay, a lot... out of your price range. These, on the other hand, are super comfy, and the breathable mesh material makes walking long distances feel like a breeze.
Vintage Reebok sneakers that look good with dresses, jeans, skirts, you name it. The padded foam sock liners give it a cushiony feel, making them great shoes for adventures ranging from short weekend trips to weeks of international travel.
Floral ballet flats — they combine cute, comfort, and breathability all into one little flat. These add so much to an outfit, thanks to the floral cutouts. Plus, these are easy to pack when you travel because they conveniently roll up!
Some Skechers slip-ons, which are a true classic because these comfy shoes are LOVED by reviewers who deal with plantar fasciitis — and rightfully so because these have a memory foam insole!
A pair of H-strap sandals that look quiiittteeee similar to the oh-so-expensive Hermès Oran sandals that retail for $840 — yikes! These comfy flats, on the other hand, are super affordable while still keeping you on top of the trends.
A pair of colorful platform sneakers to add a little something something... and by something, I mean 2.2 inches and a whole lotta color to your look. These have a soft insole and anti-slip outsole, so you'll be comfy no matter what activity is on your to-do list.
Steve Madden ankle boots perfect for hitting your daily 10,000-step goal because they're super comfy *and* for hitting your stride because they're super stylish. Plus, reviewers say these are sturdy, making them especially good for when cold and wet weather strikes.
Slip-on mules for that effortlessly chic look, since the faux material and pointed toe on these make them look way more expensive than their price suggests. They'll look great with pretty much anything you throw on and are def a closet staple.
Some Naturalizer block heels — this brand is literally known for having the comfiest heels, and I can attest that the hype is real! The innovative cushion sole sculpts to your feet, making sure you'll have all-day comfort no matter if it's just for a fancy date night or dancing all night at your sister's wedding.
Some New Balance 574s that have gone viral for being THE shoe to have in your shoe rotation. TBH, it makes sense since they are so versatile. Pair them with biker shorts for a sporty look or throw on some jeans and a nice top for a smart casual look.
A pair of low-heeled sling-backs so you can make sure you're looking cute and feeling comfortable while commuting to the office. Reviewers love how these look like they're from Chanel and how the strap in the back doesn't dig into their heel, unlike most slick back-styled shoes.
A pair of lug sole loafers that'll be your best investment to date, since these will pretty much go with everything you own. Reviewers say the Italian leather is supple, making it easy to wear them straight out of the box.
Some lace up combat boots because you want that Doc Marten style, but know that Docs are an absolute PAIN to break in. These, on the other hand, are a fraction of the price and are comfortable to boot.
You, when you finally meet the heel that will be comfy all night and not give you foot pain or blisters:
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Cosmopolitan

2 hours ago

• Cosmopolitan

Sofia Richie Grainge dramatically cuts off her hair for a short French bob

Move over, long locks — Sofia Richie Grainge has officially entered the chic world of jaw-grazing bobs, and we're absolutely here for it. The daughter of Lionel Richie stunned fans with a fresh "French bob" debut on Instagram, documenting the dramatic chop right from her luxe South of France getaway at Hotel du Cap‑Eden‑Roc. Quelle surprise! Gone is the era of sleek buns and whisper‑soft waves. Instead, Sofia's new chin‑length 'do is razor‑sharp, subtly textured, and effortlessly Parisian. "She was nervous, but super excited," London hairstylist and the genius behind the look, George Curran shared with Vogue. Like us, friends, fans and followers of Sofia were just as shocked at the debut, taking to the comments section of her post to share their thoughts (which, included praise from none other than Vanessa Hudgens, may I add...). And not only that, but her husband Elliot gave it two enthusiastic thumbs‑up in her TikTok video documenting the chop. "I think it's really really pretty — it's like...'90s New York,'" he said. Get you a hubby who hypes you up like Elliot hypes up Sofia. #CoupleGoals. Far from a subtle trim, Sofia has lost around six inches of hair, making this French bob a dramatic transformation, to say the least. The style itself is a textbook example of a 'clean‑girl' transformation: minimal effort, maximal impact. Think bold, blunt ends with just enough texture to catch the light — and wind — in all the right ways. And with that, you best believe I'll be taking Sofia's IG post as a reference pic to my hairstylist ASAP. Bobs, here we all come! Follow Lia on Instagram. Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she's an expert in recognising the season's next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You'll usually find her putting TikTok's recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it's true). Find her also on LinkedIn.

Buzz Feed

3 hours ago

• Buzz Feed

34 Happy And Bright Summer Fashion Pieces

A Lululemon-inspired longline sports bra you can wear for your next morning workout class, grocery run, or *even* your "let me rot all day in bed" moment. It's supportive, not too compressive, and lightweight, so it'll be delightful in warmer weather. A spaghetti strap romper that's so effortlessly cute, you'll want to live in it all summer long. It's got that perfectly loose fit that still looks put-together, adjustable straps for the right amount of support, and (the best part) pockets. The lightweight fabric makes it ideal for sweltering hot days when anything else feels like too much. Just throw it on with sandals, sneakers, or literally no shoes at all — psst, I think it's perfect as a beach coverup! A well-constructed satin midi skirt with the same shine, look, and silhouette as pricier silk options but is sooo much more affordable. You'll be itching to strut your stuff in this whenever you get the chance because you can wear it on dressier or more casual occasions. A pair of high-waisted running shorts that look just like Lululemon without the super steep price tag. These are lightweight, breathable, and come with a deep zippered pocket so your phone won't end up flying across the floor mid-squat. The stretchy fabric moves with you, the tulip hem adds a cute 'lil flair, and the high-rise waistband is *chef's kiss*. Whether you're going on a hot girl walk or actually working out, these shorts are ready for the job. And a pair of cozy drawstring shorts so comfy, you'll consider canceling plans just to lounge in them. They have a soft, lightweight feel and stylish look. Plus, the elastic waistband won't dig into your skin, and the roomy pockets are big enough for your phone, keys, or a snack you're trying to sneak into the movie theater. A pair of ~dreamlux~ leggings that are the closest thing you'll get to Lululemon Align leggings without dropping major cash on them. They not only look the same, but they're also soft, comfy, *and* not see-through — which means you don't have to worry when you do a deep lunge at the gym. Reviewers also like these more than Lulus because they stay in good condition over time, the color doesn't fade, and they don't fall down when you're wearing them. A ribbed "Brami" tank that's redefining what it means to go braless and fool people doing it. This genius little top has a built-in padding (aka, no bra required) and stretchy ribbed fabric that hugs you without feeling restrictive. Whether you're pairing it with joggers for errands or jeans for a night out, it'll effortlessly elevate your style. A pair of '90s-themed Teva sandals with three different adjustability points so you can have the perfect fit around your foot before heading to the beach, lake, or river. The quick-drying webbing (made from recycled materials) means you can go right into the water without sounding like Squidward with every step afterwards. A floral wrap dress designed with pockets (yep, dreams do come true), so you can finally stop clutching your phone like it's a lifeline while strolling around town. The fabric's lightweight, breathable, and flowy enough to make you feel like the star of a coming-of-age movie — and comfy enough to wear on those sweltering summer days that are right around the corner. A Hanes sweatshirt that feels like a warm hug from your freshly laundered hoodie collection. This classic crewneck has that soft, just-right midweight feel, and comes in enough colors to match your best personal color analysis — IYKYK. A vintage-inspired bustier for your night-out wardrobe 'cause you + this = no bag angles when you start taking pics for Instagram. It's made with structured boning, a mesh bodice, and an open back that says "Yes, I did just step out of a fashion editorial." It'll pair flawlessly with jeans, skirts, or anything that deserves a little ~drama~. Bonus: reviewers say it stays up even when dancing! An oversized button-down shirt aka the new MVP of your wardrobe. It's lightweight, flowy, and juuust structured enough to look like you put in effort — even if you rolled out of bed like five minutes ago. Wear it open over a tank, buttoned up with jeans, or tossed on as a beach coverup when you're feeling Hamptons chic. It comes in a bunch of colors, doesn't wrinkle easily, and looks chic as heck! A sleeveless halter bodysuit that's sleek, supportive, and super soft — the ultimate trio, IMO. It's double-lined and holds everything in without a bra *and* reviewers compare it to Zara's and Skims' version. Wanna take a guess on which one is the most affordable? (Hint: It's this one.) A soft and stretchy tie-waist T-shirt dress with pockets (I repeat: pockets!!) so you can add something that's basically the epitome of summer in clothing form to your wardrobe. It's cute enough for brunch but *also* comfy enough to sleep in when the mimosas make you ready for a nap. A ruffled blouse ready to steal the show (and maybe a few hearts). With ruffly sleeves, a deep-V front, and an open back you can style to your liking, it's giving summery and kinda spicy. Reviewers say it's surprisingly supportive — even for the DDD peeps — and looks just as cute with high-waisted jeans as it does with a skirt. A lightweight mini belted pack you can wear as a crossbody or around your waist with your daily items safely secured inside — you'll be shocked by the amount of stuff it can fit! It'll be easier to find smaller items like your AirPods, chargers, and lip products since you won't have to dig around larger bags. And did I mention it looks just like Lululemon's version? A lightweight active skort so you can bend, stretch, and run errands without worrying about flashing the neighborhood. The moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool, and the inner bike shorts come with pockets (!!) for your essentials. Whether you're hitting the pickleball court, going on a walk, or just vibing through your day, this skort's got you covered — literally. A smooth "smoke cloud" fabric square-neck top that's serving up Skims vibes for much less. It's double-lined, stretchy, and super chic. It looks super polished and feels very comfy, so don't be surprised if you wanna live in it all summer long. A "Caviar Dreams" button-down featuring a relaxed, oversized fit and a print that'll make you want to book a last-minute vacay to Europe. It's slightly sheer, super cool, and perfect for tossing over a bikini, pairing with linen pants, or wearing as a mini dress with sandals and a spritz in hand. A reversible vintage-inspired floral bathing suit so cute and comfy, it's basically a vacation essential. Each side has an elegant print, so you really can't go wrong deciding which one to show off. It has adjustable tie straps and offers full coverage so it's ready for beach naps or cliff hikes. A flowy low-back jumpsuit that was made for sipping rosé at summer soirées and twirling under string lights. The wide-leg cut adds drama and the breezy fabric brings all the beachy vibes. A high-ponytail running cap designed by women — and you can tell... It has a genius slot in the back so you can rock your ponytail high or low. It's lightweight, moisture-wicking, and offers UPF 50+ sun protection so you can stay cute and covered. It'll be a total game changer for runners, gym-goers, and anyone who's ever tried to stuff a ponytail through a regular cap. A ruffled floor-length gown that'll make you feel like you're the one saying "I do." The high waistline? Gorgeous. The thigh high slit? Fashionable as heck. The fabric? Light, airy, and floaty in a way that makes every photo look like a soft-focus rom-com scene. Reviewers say it's comfy, elegant, and perfect for taller people. A pair of comfy palazzo pants aka your new summer pant 'cause these have an elastic waistband and super flowy pant legs. You'll *especially* love these when it's hot out because your legs can still have room to breathe! An adjustable mini skater dress made out of incredibly soft jersey fabric that's breathable, flowy, and just so pretty to look at — I mean, just look at those designs... Not to mention the knot detail and pockets make it an absolute knock-out-of-the-park for summer dresses. A patterned button-down top that can do the accessorizing for you. The vibrant mix of colors makes it the perfect statement piece for summer. Just throw it on with jeans, white pants, or even cutoffs, and boom — you're effortlessly chic. A lightweight multicolor maxi dress made for any summer sunset photoshoot coming your way. The cowl neck is super stylish while the flowy pleated fabric moves like a dream — whether you're dancing at a wedding or just dramatically walking into a backyard BBQ, you'll be turning heads in the best way possible. A stylish strawberry beaded bag from Anthropologie that's ~berry~, berry cute. Its intricate bead design rivals the much pricier versions Staud offers, and it's a fraction of the price. This colorful shoulder bag is the perfect thing to hold your lip products, wallet, AirPods, and other summer essentials for the hot, sunny days ahead. A Farm Rio halter maxi dress that'll make you feel like you're on vacation when you slip it on. The vibrant tropical print, flowy silhouette, and neckline will have you serving with your shoulders out this summer. The combination of its lightweight, breathable viscose material and pockets makes it a dream-worthy purchase in my humble opinion. A set of "candy-colored" mirrored sunglasses to instantly level up any outfit. They're lightweight, protective against UV light rays, and have the ~funkiest~ vibe. What else do you need, really? A U-shaped neckline workout set so cute, you'll actually want to be seen running errands post-gym. The fabric is thick and stretchy, and the crop top is padded for extra comfort. Reviewers say it feels way more expensive than it is! A rainbow tennis bracelet that's like a boost of summer serotonin for your wrist. It adds the perfect pop of fun to your stack 'cause it's bold and bright. A pair of veryyyy comfy mesh sneakers so you can add some serious styling points to your 'fits thanks to their bright colors and cool design. Reviewers have worn them while hiking, running 5Ks, and even standing for up to 18 hours straight! A maxi dress with ruffled detailing, a slide slit, and stretchy fabric that's perfect for a last minute get up to weddings, formal dinners or any moment where you want to drop jaws — without dropping lots of cash, of course.

Atlantic

8 hours ago

• Atlantic

When SkinnyTok Came for Me

The bride had to do just one last thing before she walked down the aisle. 'I currently am in the bathroom in my wedding dress I asked everyone for just a few mins alone so that I could message you this.' Was she writing to an estranged friend? An old lover—the one that got away? At the beginning of her 'journey,' the bride weighed 134 pounds. 'My goal was to just lose 5lbs,' she wrote, but she had somehow dropped down to 110. 'I'm crying writing this because I have never felt so healthy and confident. THANK YOU!!!' The message was accompanied by two photos—a before and an after. The first shows a thin woman who looks to be a size 2 or 4. In the second, the woman's bones are visible beneath her skin, and her leggings sag. She owed all of this to Liv Schmidt, a 23-year-old influencer known for her harsh, no-bullshit approach to staying thin. 'You feel like a best friend and sister to me,' the bride wrote to Schmidt, who shared the message on Instagram. Schmidt is the queen of SkinnyTok—a corner of the internet where thin, mostly white women try to make America skinny again. Her 'what I eat in a day to stay skinny' videos thrust her into virality about a year ago. There she is with her mint tea—which she always drinks before eating anything, to check if she's really hungry or just bored—or a mile-high ice-cream sundae that she'll take three bites of before tossing. She's very clear: She stays skinny by not eating much. Many find this refreshingly honest. Others think she's promoting eating disorders. Influencers have condemned her; magazines have published scathing critiques. Last month, Meta removed her ability to sell subscriptions ($20 a month for access to private content and a group chat called the 'Skinni Société') on Instagram, and this month, TikTok banned the SkinnyTok hashtag worldwide, saying it was 'linked to unhealthy weight loss content.' And in response, the right has championed Schmidt. She has been canceled, and she may be more powerful than ever. I didn't mean to join the legions of young women on SkinnyTok. It happened fast. I liked an Instagram reel about an 'Easy High Protein, Low Calorie Breakfast.' What I got next, I didn't ask for. Within hours, my Instagram 'explore' page was flooded with videos of conventionally pretty, thin women preaching one message: Stop eating. Phrases such as 'You're not a dog, don't treat yourself with food' and the Kate Moss classic, 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,' began to flood my feed—and my subconscious. At lunch with a friend one Saturday, I didn't finish my salad. 'Do you know Liv Schmidt?' I asked. 'The three-bite rule? Of course I do. She's kind of a genius.' I realized I wasn't down this rabbit hole alone. Conor Friedersdorf: The many ripple effects of the weight-loss industry 'I know the advice I'm getting from these women is not healthy,' another friend said, but 'everything I want is on the other side of being skinny, and these women are going to help me get there.' 'I like SkinnyTok. It helps me to not eat 'the extra thing' I don't need. Don't like it? Don't follow it.' 'It's internalized misogynistic brainwash!' 'I love that skinny bitch.' Where had Schmidt come from, and what had happened to the 'body positivity' movement that had been so loudly touted through the past decade? You can form a community around anything online. When I was a kid in the 2000s, teenage girls with eating disorders were gathering on 'thinspiration' websites, where they could exchange tips. Tabloids sold copies off body shaming—one day Britney Spears was too fat; the next, Lindsay Lohan was too skinny—and my friends and I were going around with 100-calorie Chips Ahoy! packs in our lunchboxes. By the time I was a teenager, the body-positivity movement had arrived, promising to change the culture. Plus-size models started appearing in ad campaigns. The problem wasn't women's bodies, activists argued, but women feeling bad about their bodies. Yet when people tried to force society to embrace new body norms, society lashed out, bringing to the surface a lot of underlying hatred. 'Body positivity didn't resonate with a lot of people, because it felt like lying,' Maalvika Bhat, a 25-year-old TikTok influencer who is getting a doctorate in computer science and communication at Northwestern University, told me. Many felt that the movement was in denial about both the practical health risks of being overweight and America's willingness to put its engrained fat phobia aside. Ozempic has accelerated that backlash against body positivity. Many of the plus-size leaders of the body-positivity movement shut up and shrunk down. Their followers noticed that they were using a weight-loss drug. Apparently you didn't have to love yourself as you were—and you didn't have to suffer to change, either. You just had to have a prescription and enough money to pay for it. But what about those pesky last 10 pounds, the difference between being a size 6 and a size 2? Although some healthy-weight women with no medical reason to take GLP-1 drugs have nonetheless found work-arounds to get their hands on the medication, most aren't going to those lengths. How would they keep up now that skinny was back? For some, the answer was SkinnyTok. You don't need a prescription to be ultrathin. You just need a bad relationship with food, fueled by a skinny stranger yelling mean-girl mantras at you. In the end, the body-positivity movement's lasting effect may have been to prove the validity of the very message it was trying to combat—that thinner people are treated better. At least, many women feel, SkinnyTok is telling them the truth. As one SkinnyTok influencer put it, 'Don't sugarcoat that or you'll eat that too.' I started listening more closely to the SkinnyTok videos. They weren't just about self-deprivation. They were about being classy. They were about being a lady—the right kind of woman, one that men drool over. They were, most importantly, about being small. In one of Schmidt's videos, she's approached by a man in a black car during a photo shoot. The caption reads: 'This is the treatment Skinni gets you. Was just taking pics … Then a Rolls-Royce rolled up begging for my number like I'm on the menu mid photo. He saw clavicle he swerved. He saw cheekbones lost composure.' From the July 2025 Issue: Inside the exclusive, obsessive, surprisingly litigious world of luxury fitness SkinnyTok influencers basically never talk in their videos about politics. They aren't preaching about Donald Trump—let alone about issues such as abortion or immigration. And yet everything they talk about—the emphasis on girls and how girls need to behave and how small they need to be—is, of course, political. A few days after my Instagram feed surrendered to the SkinnyTok takeover, the tradwife content began to sneak in. Beautiful women baking bread in linen dresses spoke to me about embracing my divine femininity. I should consider 'softer living' and 'embracing my natural role.' All of a sudden, I wondered whether I, a single woman in her late 20s living in Manhattan, should trade it all in to become a mother of 10 on a farm in Montana. Watch a few more of these videos, and soon you'll be directed to the anti-vax moms, or the Turning Point USA sweetheart Alex Clark's wellness podcast, Cultural Apothecary, or the full-on conspiratorial alt-right universe. This is just how the internet works. Eviane Leidig, the author of The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization, sees a connection between SkinnyTok and tradwives in their 'very strong visual representation of femininity.' Whether they mean to be or not, they have become part of the same pipeline. Algorithms grab your attention with lighter, relatable content while exposing you to more extremist viewpoints. The alt-right, she said, is great at making aspirational and seemingly apolitical content that viewers relate to. 'This is a deliberate strategy that the conservative space has been employing over the last several years to capitalize on cultural issues as a gateway to radicalize audiences into more extreme viewpoints.' Two months ago, Evie Magazine, a right-wing publication that promotes traditional femininity, ran a profile of Schmidt: 'Banned for Being Honest? Meet Liv Schmidt, the Girl Who Made 'Skinny' Go Viral.' The magazine had one of the biggest tradwife influencers, Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm, on its cover back in November. The article about Schmidt focused on her being canceled and banned on a number of platforms for promoting thinness. 'I don't owe the internet a version of me that's palatable,' Schmidt told the magazine. 'If a girl bigger than me posted what I eat in a day, no one would care. But when I do, it becomes controversial. Why? Because I'm blonde, thin, young, and unapologetic.' Last year, Evie profiled Amanda Dobler, another SkinnyTok figurehead, whom it described as 'TikTok's skinny queen'—'both brutally honest and surprisingly sweet.' The more the left has attacked Schmidt, the more the right has celebrated her. Bhat, who describes herself as progressive, said, 'I think the left is deeply, deeply exclusive.' On the right, 'you're allowed to make dozens of mistakes and not be shunned. They say, 'If the left doesn't welcome you, we will.' And they always do.' You can't deduce a political manifesto from someone's Instagram followers, but it seems worth noting that Schmidt follows conservative figureheads including RFK Jr., Candace Owens, and Brett Cooper. When she posted about losing the paid-subscription feature on her Instagram, through which she had been making nearly $130,000 a month, according to AirMail, she tagged Joe Rogan. 'She's clearly trying to get her foot in the door with the alternatives,' Ali Ambrose, an influencer who critiques SkinnyTok, told me. (Ambrose struggled with an eating disorder for years, and says Schmidt's content pushed her back into unhealthy habits.) Schmidt's appeal does cross party lines, though. When I polled a politically diverse group of my own friends, my most conservative friends loved SkinnyTok. A number of my progressive friends did too; they just felt like they shouldn't say so out loud. Schmidt has written that the Skinni Société is not 'a starvation or extreme diet community.' She didn't respond to multiple requests for an interview, but I spoke with Amanda Dobler, another SkinnyTok influencer. She remains on TikTok, though she has twice been temporarily barred from its Creator Rewards Program, through which she made some money for her videos, for not abiding by 'community guidelines.' Dobler is almost 10 years older than Schmidt, so she attracts a slightly different demographic. I asked her if she considered herself a political person, or her content politically charged. She responded with a decisive no. 'I'm up at 4 a.m. working my ass off, so I would say I'm the opposite of a tradwife,' she told me. 'If people relate it to right wing, to left wing,' she said, 'there's only so much of the narrative that I can control.' Sophie Gilbert: What porn taught a generation of women Dobler is known for her directness. If anything, she's even harsher online than Schmidt is. Right before our call, I scrolled through her TikTok profile: 'You are killing yourself with the shit you eat. It's disgusting. And you should feel shameful.' I briefly wondered if she'd be able to detect my own insecurities through the phone. But the Dobler I spoke with was approachable and friendly. I instantly liked her. I even opened up to her about the things I wish I could change about my body. 'There's nothing wrong with wanting to look a little better,' she said. Unlike a number of SkinnyTok influencers who only just entered the field, Dobler has been a fat-loss and mindset coach for six years. She talks about the importance of getting your nutrients instead of exclusively practicing restraint. She also pushes for a consistent workout routine, while others focus exclusively on their step count to burn calories and avoid bulking at the gym (SkinnyTok is a spectrum). I brought up the criticism that SkinnyTok content encourages young people to adopt disordered-eating habits. Dobler said that she doesn't coach children, and that the majority of her clients are in their 30s through 50s. 'I get it. It's hard if you're a parent seeing stuff online,' she told me. 'But at the same time, there's porn online; there's a bunch of weird crap. I think that there is a lot of other censorship that should be going on.' When I asked why she was so harsh in her videos, she told me, 'That's the type of talk that I need. I wouldn't say that I'm mean. I'm just blunt.' She added, 'I've been in all of the situations that I'm talking through. So it's not like I'm just up here scolding people.' This echoed something Bhat had said to me: SkinnyTok's ruthless tone rings true to many women because they're already being so ruthless toward themselves. I'd be kidding myself if I said a woman's body size doesn't affect her prospects for dating, and even jobs. I would be lying if I said I did not desperately want to be slightly thinner—that I hadn't wanted that from the moment I first watched my mother critique her own body in her bedroom mirror. I hesitate to admit that I've lost four pounds since I saw my first SkinnyTok video. I have not walked 40,000 steps a day, nor have I stopped eating after three bites. I've just stopped eating when I'm full, which, as silly as it sounds, I did learn from SkinnyTok. Still, I think it's time to unsubscribe. The body of my dreams isn't worth risking my health for. I have two nieces, ages 3 and 6. I hate the idea that somebody might one day tell them to shrink themselves. To them, a swimsuit is nothing but a promise that they'll spend the afternoon running through the sprinkler. They're perfect, and they dream of being bigger, faster, stronger—not smaller.