via Vogue UK
here are my tips on how to choose and wear birks in a minimalist chic way.
1. the shoe – you can't go wrong with the classic arizonas (also here. here and here) or gizehs. both offer the most stylish simplicity and functional comfort of the entire birkenstock lineup.
iconic: young Kate + birks by Corinne Day
3. the material – i prefer the leather or patent leather birks over the synthetic (birko-flor, birkubuc) versions. black suede birks are much easier to style than taupe/brown versions, which tend to look a lot more 'granola'. it's all about sleek/clean lines here.
4. the styling – neutrals, monochrome and clean lines work best. i'm really into wearing mine with black on black on black, but a flowing, feminine dress would also provide a nice counterpoint.
Ashley Olsen: a fan of arch support
via tumblr
5. the footbed – birks come in two footbed versions: regular and soft. i have the regular gizehs and a pair of the soft-footbed arizonas. the regular footbed takes a little breaking in and getting used to, but will mold to your feet wonderfully in time. the soft footbed is cushier, with a slight memory-foam-like give that requires no breaking in. it's also a bit more expensive than the regular version, and the leather uppers are softer as well. i find both very comfortable; it just depends on your personal preference and foot/arch needs.
i hope this is helpful if you're just getting into birks. from a wardrobe longevity (and foot health) perspective, they're the epitome of reasonably priced, ergonomic, well-made sandals that will last for years. (P.S.: if you do end up wearing out the soles, an authorized birkenstocks repair shop can replace them with brand new footbed/soles.)
what's your stance on birks? do you have a favorite pair / how do you wear them?
LOVE the Birkenstock revival. I have a pair of Birkenstock-ish sandals from back when I had a summer job in home care for the elderly and they are the comfiest sandals ever. Kicking myself for not bringing them with me to NY last summer, I would have been so ahead of the curve ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought some talian equivalent of the Birkenstock Gizeh a couple of years ago in Greece, and they always get a lot of wear during the summer.
ReplyDeleteI am all about it- I have been wearing a pair of black patent Gizehs and am ready to fully commit to the look with a pair of Arizonas. If you would have told me 5 years ago that I'd be wearing Birkenstocks again, I'd have thought you lost your mind. Dr. Martens also suddenly look good again, to my eye- thinking of getting an oxblood patent pair to wear as "going out" shoes during snow (almost as indestructible as Sorels but slightly less clunky).
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Germany so I have been wearing Birkenstocks for close to 40 years now - they were real comfort shoes though back in the days and I found it quiet funny when they all of a sudden became the latest thing.... probably a bit how Australians feel about the rise of the UGG Boot.... however.... they are still my favorite summer sandal for running around all day and travel - the Gizehs don't fit my feet well and the Arizonas are for me a bit too clumpy - my favorites are the black Madrids - and I love the vegan Birko-Flor material
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a pair of Birkenstocks in a long while. That Mary Kate photo is convincing me to get a new pair.
ReplyDeleteI'd love some extra tips on sizing the Arizonas. I'm a US 7 / EU 37 andwear a regular width although my feet are slightly narrow. Would you still recommend I size down and get the narrow size of 36 N, or should I stick with 37 N? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeletei wear 36.5/37 EU and i always get the 36N in birks, and my feet are normal to slightly narrow width. hope that helps!
DeleteHi, may I please ask what bag (tan/brown color crossbody) it is that you were wearing with the giezhs, in the photo under #1... It is a really pretty bag!
ReplyDelete