Birkenstocks — Loved By Most, Hated By Some

Now that spring is here and summer is approaching, Birkenstocks can be seen on the feet of Arrowhead High School teens.

According to www.wsj.com’s article, “Birkenstock Doesn’t Care if Fashionistas Stop Wearing Its Sandals,” Birkenstocks are clunky, orthopedically formed slabs with a rubber-cork-mix sole, usually with thick leather straps.

But despite the Wall Street Journal’s review, Birkenstock sandals have walked the runways in spring fashion shows, and now retailers like J.Crew, Net-A-Porter.com, Zappos.com, and Nordstrom are selling these sandals, bringing them to high school teens.

Clearly,Birkenstocks get mixed reviews. Whereas some people like them, others consider them ugly.

“That silhouette was universally considered ugly,” says Vogue.com’s contributor Katherine Bernard in her article, “Pretty Ugly: Why Vogue Girls Have Fallen for the Birkenstock.”

Hard-core fashionistas have resisted the Birkenstock trend—no matter how good they are for your feet. But, Arrowhead teens have not.

“I am in love with Birks. For me, they are comfortable, they go with everything and are just such a fast and quick option. Definitely recommend, they’re my favorite shoes,” says senior Andi Eckl.

For an indication  of price, the Birkenstock Madrid style in Black Birko-Flor, cost $79.99, and can be found at getoutsideshoes.com. Birkenstock Arizona in Birko-Flor White, are $99.99, and can be found at getoutsideshoes.com. Of course you can also purchase Birkenstocks from birkenstockusa.com, or The Walking Company or Journeys store, at Brookfield Square Mall.

The Loop.com’s article, “Birkenstocks Back On Top” gives helpful tips on the dos and don’ts of wearing Birks.

DO NOT wear your sandals with socks unless you are sitting around a campfire and even then, don’t you have closed-toe shoes that might be more appropriate?

DO wear your sandals with long skirts and dresses, just make sure that you choose modern, refined-looking pieces over oversized, flowy, vintage-looking ones.

For a more casual style then what the Loop.com’s article states, try pairing Birks with jeans, shorts, sweaters, tanks, t-shirts, anything that’s simple or even has a lot of designs—Birks go with everything, even sweatpants. You can see many Arrowhead students, for example Bryn Bierman—especially during finals week—wearing tall socks and grey sweatpants with her brown leather Birks.

The Loop states, “Take a step outside of your comfort zone—but not out of your sandals, you probably have specific ideas about which clothes go with Birkenstocks—cargo shorts, Indian cotton maxi dresses and tie-dye.”

Junior Anna Hayes says, “Birkenstocks are definitely on the pricer side, but for me they’re extremely worth it. They are comfortable and very simple. I think that’s what I love most about them is just how simple they are, you don’t even have to think about what you’re wearing to know they will go well with it. I’m not going to lie the first time I tried them on they felt big and bulky, but once your feet form into them after a couple wears, they are perfect.”