There was a point in my life when, like a majority of people, I swore I would never, I mean never ever, buy a pair of Birkenstocks. Don't get me wrong, I had no preconceived judgments about people who wore the shoe, I just didn't find them stylish. It wasn't until I got into college, and I actually tried my first pair on, that I realized what I had been missing. After doing a little more research on the brand, I have slowly begun to realize that my Birkenstocks are easily my favorite pair of shoes I have ever owned. Before you write these shoes off as something you'd never consider, here are a few things you should know:
1. Birkenstocks are taking the fashion world by storm.
Birkenstocks have had a long history of coming in and out of style. Most noticeably before coming back into style in 2014-2015 these shoes were in high demand in the grunge era of the early '90s and were an essential to any flower child in the 1960's. These shoes have also inspired major fashion brands like Céline and Givenchy to create replicas of the iconic shoes. Even, Manolo Blahnik (Yes, the same Manolo Blahnik who designs Carrie Bradshaw's favorite shoe) is a fan of the Birkenstock.
Here's Céline's Furkenstock:
And here's Givenchy's Double Buckle Sandal which retail for upwards of $300.
Besides the fact that these shoes have been picked up by major designers they're very easy to create cute and unique outfits with. They're the perfect unexpected contrast to any outfit. You can even wear them with socks if its a little chilly!
"Stocks and socks" is a term used to refer to wearing Birkenstocks and socks together.
Fashion isn't the only reason these shoes have stayed socially relevant all these years. Birkenstocks are also amazingly comfortable.
2. They're the most comfortable shoes you'll ever own.
Since the beginning, Birkenstock has been focused on one sole goal: comfort. It's hard to understand how comfy these shoes actually are until you try them on. They support the foot in all the right places, and its the closest thing to actually going barefoot.
Every aspect of the Birkenstock shoe is designed and tailored to benefit the health of the wearer's foot. The footbed is contorted to encourage proper weight distribution and provide stability. The bar is designed to allow the toes to grip and flex and encourage circulation. The Birkenstock does also not force the foot to resemble or contort into any unnatural shape. The iconic sandals also morph overtime to contour to the healthy and comfortable foot shape of the owner.
Do you and your feet a favor and go try on a pair. The comfort alone might get you to purchase them, appearance aside.
3. So Many Styles!
Over the years, Birkenstock has added many new styles and colors to their line. Most people are familiar with the iconic Arizona:
and the Clog:
But Birkenstocks have become so much more versatile, and there is a shoe for every occasion. A few of the more styles released include the Gizeh, Granada and the Mayari which are my personal favorite.
The last pair are my actual favorite pair! Unfortunately they're now on back-order!
4. They're eco-friendly.
Birkenstock takes saving and preserving the environment very seriously. The staple of their shoe's cork, latex and jute are all natural and renewable resources. In addition to using these materials, they produce all their product in small batches to eliminate waste, and any left over product is recycled. Even the boxes the shoes are packaged in are 90 percent recycled.
In addition to Birkenstock's own effort to keep the world green, they offer resources to repair and refurbish old, damage and worn shoes, reducing the need to buy new shoes, which reduces the number of shoes that go into trash and landfills. Finally, Birkenstock encourages owners of their shoes to donate old or worn pairs to organizations like Soles4Souls or other local charities.
In the end, it all comes down to what your comfortable with. If you're interested in giving a different style a try, I say go for it! You won't regret your investment as soon as you realize just how happy these shoes will make your feet feel! Go ahead try a pair, and find that perfect style and color! You won't believe it when that iconic shoe that you never thought you would own becomes a vital part of your closet.
