After putting together Friday’s post on the revival of Birkenstocks, and having a late birthday lunch with friends (thanks Marcie & Deb!), I headed to The Tannery to try on Birkenstocks. As they’re hardly sexy, I felt like I was trying on shoes that an college roommate left by the door. But, once I channeled the women in the street style photos, I was on board. So I turned my attention to how Birkenstocks actually felt on my feet.
The leather of the Arizona sandals were a little stiff for me, (though likely fine for most anybody else), and I didn’t even bother trying on the Gizeh thongs (I can only wear flip flops with ribbons, not leather, between my toes). It’s too bad, because I really like the white Arizonas. They remind me of my white rubber platforms slides by Patrick Cox from the mid-90s (which I actually still have and should perhaps resurrect).
The white Birkenstocks are so obviously a cute style statement and would not be mistaken for the schleppy misguidedness. Look, if you’re going to wear Birkenstocks because they’re back (and by back I mean, by those who matter, i.e., Phoebe Philo, Marc Jacobs, Jenna Lyons), then you’re going to have to cultivate the total look. (I can do a post with specific clothing picks too if anyone’s interested.)
Back to the try-ons. I also slipped on a slouchy pair of mocha suede Arizona sandals with rose gold buckles (nice styling touch), which also happened to be labeled “soft footbed.” Bingo. Pure comfort. (For sizing, go down one.) I could definitely get on board wearing these. Thing is, I haven’t been into earth tones the past ten years.
Back home, my search for size 36 black suede Arizonas turned up “out of stock” messages. Not willing to languish on a wait list, I ordered the Arizona Soft Footbed Suede Sandal in Velvet Gray from Nordstrom’s. (By the way, the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale is in progress.) Admittedly, it is going to be harder to pull off elegance in gray suede than crisp black, but so be it. Besides, I’ve been totally into my gray Madewell jeans, so this could all be good.
And, fact is, I’m headed to the Outer Cape for most of the summer, where looking just so is just not.
S H O P P I N G
1. Birkenstock Gizeh Thong in Black Patent
2. Birkenstock Arizona in White with White Sole
3. Birkenstock Gizeh Thong in Metallic Blue
4. Birkenstock Cairo Woven Leather
5. Birkenstock Granada Soft Footbed in Oiled Leather
6. Birkenstock Arizona in Caribou
7. Ar By Tatami Birkenstock Dakar in Red w/Leopard Fur Sole
8. Birkenstock Catania by Papillio in Metallic Turquoise Leather
9. Birkenstock Granada in Metallic Silver
10. Birkenstock Gizeh Thong in Mint Linen with Cream Sole
11. Birkenstock Arizona in Violet Nubuck
12. Papillion by Birkenstock Madrid in Leopard Classic
13. Birkenstock Striped
14. Tatami by Birkenstock Adria Flecht
15. Birkenstock Arizona in Hippie Flowers
16. Birkenstock Madrid in Gold Metallic
17. Birkenstock Yara in Oiled Leather
18. Birkenstock Chania Gladiator
19. Birkenstock Florida in True Leopard
20. Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed in Green Suede
21. Birkenstock Milano in Black Patent Leather
22. Birkenstock Mayari
23. Birkenstock Curacao by Birki Stretch Sandal
24. Birkenstock Arizona in Floral
25. Birkenstock Gizeh Thong in Tango Red
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Go shoe shopping at Sole Struck >