birkenstocks: yay or nay

[emptym]

I have a pair and love them, but mostly as house slippers. Imo, some styles are great, some are hideous.

 

[dave]

Originally Posted by Rye GB

I just think people that critique things in such black and white terms have a lack of personal opinion, confidence in their own dress habits and worry far too much about what their guido friends think!.

Nonsense. they're ugly as ****. in this case, the cigar is just a cigar dr. freud.

 

[berlin report]

Originally Posted by michaeljkrell

Me and you Jet. Heck, I know Bobo and Rye (possibly Berlin) will back me up.

Yay!
Love my arizonas. I wonder, though, if I can ever get away with the clogs.

 

[mink31]

For all the naysayers: are you opposed to the whole concept of "sandal" or "clog," or do you hate them for their association with hippies? (To me, at least, their hippie status is lost when I see one out every two baby boomers in my conservative WASP town rockin them.)
Any other reasons?

Personally, I don't know of a better-made (read: all natural materials and long-wearing), more comfortable sandal. This forum seems to value quality above all, so I'm not understanding all the hate--although I am in SW&D, where this might not hold as much sway.

If anyone can recommend a better sandal, I'm all ears.

 

[[__G__]]

Originally Posted by Rye GB

I think Birky's require a certain amount confidence and stylistic skill to pull off, the same people who hate Birk's probably also fall into the skinny jean hate group. I just think people that critique things in such black and white terms have a lack of personal opinion, confidence in their own dress habits and worry far too much about what their guido friends think!.

I'm using my first post here to say that I mostly agree with you, except for the skinny jean part. From my own experience, I consider Birkenstocks to be a part of the anti-skinny jean movement, since they always seem to become stylish just when skinny jeans are on their way out.

Personally, I wore a lot of skinny jeans during the late '70's/early '80's and hated Birkenstocks when they came back into style. This was mainly because I had climbed on board the pretentious culture of the eighties, when sandals seem to almost disappear completely and showing your feet in public was in bad taste. Once I got over that, I came to the conclusion that I never want to wear skinny jeans again (still hate 'em today), but I think that Birkenstocks are great, whether they're considered stylish or not, although I only wear mine in an extremely casual manner.

I think that what we like, or dislike, has a lot to do with the influences of our childhood. However, it's my opinion that there are many people who like skinny jeans and hate Birkenstocks today, but nevertheless, will be the first on the block to own a pair of Birkenstocks, and to dis skinny jeans, once the trends start heading back in that direction. I just ignore it all and find myself better off for it.

 

[huy]

Originally Posted by mink31

Personally, I don't know of a better-made (read: all natural materials and long-wearing), more comfortable sandal. This forum seems to value quality above all, so I'm not understanding all the hate--although I am in SW&D, where this might not hold as much sway.
I'm sure it's because a lot of us do not find them attractive and will never wear it.

 

[lynchpatrickj]

They're pretty gross looking sandals.

As a naysayer, I dislike them because they're ugly. The hippie connotation is neither here nor there, because everything 'hippie' is also ugly. To dissent from Rye GB et. al., in my opinion it's not "nonconformist" to wear ugly things.

 

[[__G__]]

What does a nice looking sandal look like?

 

[tiecollector]

I'm yet to see Birks well executed IRL. I used to be a Jesus looking hippie type and wore Birkenstocks throughout college. Chacos annoy me infinitely more than Birkenstock. WTF is up with that toe strap at the front?!

 

[GuidoWongolini]

I'm as far away as one can be to a hippy etc & guess what.. I've been wearing Birks for the last 10years!

They are great in the summer as they also have support!

Recently picked up a pair in red felt for the apartment.

 

[gshen]

i wear the model SPARTAAAAAAAA when it gets stupid hot here in SG. they're extremely comfortable and have lasted me 2-3 years without any maintenance.

an old pic:

 

[Spirit of 69]

A definite NAY! In Sweden, the only people who wear them are nurses on duty and other people in indoor "walking about jobs". I've never seen anyone in Sweden wearing them as street shoes.
Sandals are just plain ugly.

 

[Superb0bo]

^^did you miss that gladiator type sandals was the fashionista thing in stockholm last summer? I think birks will come more and more as "street shoes" here, especially when the tighty pants, pointy shoes look is dying down.
Ive worn birks as street shoes for several years, in sweden, and am not a nurse...

 

[Superb0bo]

my bostons, really nice leather

and ramses (with a nudie shirt! would not wear that today..)

old pic!

 

[Superb0bo]

Originally Posted by berlin report

Yay!
Love my arizonas. I wonder, though, if I can ever get away with the clogs.

Of course you could. Wide pants, a nice shirts and leather clogs.