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Birks look-alikes - what is it about those wide straps?

Astrid

Veteran

Denise's post here made me think about my own Birks - I have the ones in #1. The ones you see in the fashion pics all have the wide straps and those are actually the styles nobody wants to be caught dead in here in Germany. Here it's halfway acceptable to wear the daintier ones when they are styled right, but even then I still have to wear mine with a "I couldn't care less" attitude. And I wear them not for the look but because I've never found other just as comfortable whole day walking sandals for my wide feet. If I'd had money to spend on new ones I'd get a pair that pretends to be a fashion sandal (#2), but those wouldn't be as trendy as the other ones, right?

If you think about getting a pair of those sandals with bigger straps, how do you plan to wear them? If there's a way to make mine look more intentional I'm all for it.

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, I've been thinking about you and Birkenstocks recently, because you are in Germany of course, and the price is a lot more budget friendly there:) How interesting that the Arizona model isn't considered fashionable in Germany. I suppose it is the same here - my husband hates them, anyway!

I found a blog post about how to wear the Birkenstocks in a fashion forward manner at les antimodernes: http://www.lesantimodernes.com.....aring.html and i think she is onto something. Now I actually want a pair of Arizonas myself. Who knew!

Kristin SF

Veteran

I have a few of the wider strap Birks, Arizona style. I wore them in college and since then, I just always have at least 1 pair in my closet for summers. They are particularly great as a MOTG. I never even knew they were "fashionable" until I started reading fashion blogs.

So on my end, I just wear with shorts and jeans and probably don't look chic at all.

For intentionally chic looks, you could probably just check out pinterest.

And, your timing is particularly great - this was recently posted:
http://www.lesantimodernes.com.....aring.html

What do you think about the Gizeh style? Still too chunky?

ETA: I have both the Arizona and Gizeh styles, and find the Arizona - while less attractive - is much more comfy. Something about having that piece between the toes in the Gizeh style....it's a bit annoying for me, personally.

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Kristin SF

Veteran

Also, great post from Garance on Birks, from 2012.
http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2.....rkenstock/

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks for the link, Ingunn! The other ones mentioned (the Gizeh) are probably the most popular model among the fashionable people here, but I can't wear them because I can't stand the strap between the toes. The Arizonas are the classic model that was worn to death by eco-people in the eighties and you can't get the association out of people's head... Let me know if I can help you get a pair, maybe buying and shipping them from here is cheaper than buying them in Norway. I think the red shoes were about 15€ shipping?

Astrid

Veteran

Kristin, we crossposted! I can't wear the Gizeh either, but I like the style much better. Or the Kairo (?), I think that's the sandal version of the Gizeh. Thanks for the second link.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, tempting, Astrid. How kind of you to offer me a helping hand. I think a pair of Arizonas costs around 120 euros here. How much are they in Germany?

I couldn't agree more about the toe strap. Awfully uncomfortable! My feet look funny with them, and I guess it is because I have a little wide feet. I know Arizonas are considered eco-ish, but I love them as slippers, and as casual sandals, too.

Astrid

Veteran

I think the classic black ones are 55€. Do you want black? I'm sure they'll have them in the store so I wouldn't need to order them online. My wide feet look strange in the Gizeh too. Actually my feet don't look great in Birks full stop, I think they look much better when you can get the narrow ones. And most fashion looks have them wearing the wrong size too, if you buy them right you have quite a lot of room in front of the toes which looks less cool in pictures.

rachylou

Veteran

I have some Birk-like Mephistos, which are also very expensive. However, I got them for a song because the shoe shop made the mistake of ordering them in A) white and B) with rhinestones. I live in hippie land, so they didn't sell.

IMO, they're very comfy and cute. The colour and rhinestones takeaway the scungy feel. The straps aren't quite as wide as normal, which also helps. I wear them with A-line skirts and sleeveless, drapey tees in summer.

I think the thing is, you have to accept they are NOT polished, and there's no way to make them restaurant friendly.

And also, the original, scungy hippie version in brown... there's just no help for that.

cciele

Veteran

LOL, rachylou! I also had a pair of Mephistos -- the Helen, the most comfy sandals ever. In hippie brown. I wore them forever, until my podiatrist said I needed to wear sandals with back straps. Guess that eliminates the Birkie styles that are trendy now. I'll stick with my granny Worishofers this summer

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

To me, the difference is in not actually wearing Birkenstocks. It's about wearing a Birk inspired shoe such as from Celine, and Zara loves to knock off Celine.

The Zara models have different hardware and a shinier leather which distinguishes them from real Birkenstocks.

Interesting that the Arizona model is not stylish in Germany. As Angie noted this is still a fringe trend so Arizona love may come back after some time for this trend to become more mainstream.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think it's funny that things have to be made "fashionable" before people like them, I never got the hatred of them either. Mine have a toe strap &, for me, are very comfy.

Anonymous

I wear my Birks Mayari sandals a lot in the summer time. Like you, Astrid, I tend to adopt the "couldn't be bothered" attitude because they're about form and function, and I'm just not cool enough to pull off anything in an ironic way.

However, I've seen many 20-somethings wear Mayaris and Gizehs in stylish ways. I remember one woman at the shoe store wore them with boyfriend jeans and a slouchy top. She looked fabulous. Another clerk had light-wash skinnies (cuter than they sound, I promise!) and a drapey tee.

I have to say, I'm surprised to see wider straps making a comeback. I have a lot of '90s associations with the style, but I'm willing to give it a try because I'm getting pretty tired of sandals with flat flat flat footbeds and skinny straps. They kill my feet.

Link to the Mayari: http://www.zappos.com/birkenst.....flor-trade

rachylou

Veteran

Because, Caro, Birks look like dead-heads smell.

Mwahahaha

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, I prefer the classic black ones, in leather. If you are right (and of course you are) that would mean around 70 euro to get them to Norway, a very nice discount from what they sell for here. I'm contemplating this a bit, and will get back to you if/when I'm ready to jump. Thanks again! This is great news.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think it was Swedish Has-Beens that came back into style last year, with the clunky wooden-looking sole, and I was like really? Those were the least fashionable shoes ever for years. It's funny how our eyes adjust.

I had a pair of Birks (the classic silhouette) in college in the 90s and they were incredibly comfortable. I tend to prefer sandals with ankle straps these days for practical reasons, but the Birks with the ankle back strap are a bit too much leather and buckle for me. I prefer something sleeker.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have serious foot problems so Birks are in my shoe wardrobe. I bring out the pretty shoes when I go to a wedding but otherwise I keep my feet happy. I have found Birks not that comfortable lately. I do love a German shoe called Trippen. Yummy on my feet. I find my toes grip when I wear Birks which is painful. I do like the cork soles. Trippen has insoles that mold to your feet.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I saw them in a recent catalog for Revolve I got in the mail. How funny to see Birks paraded as fashion after them being eschewed for so long.

Echo

Veteran

I guess since I've always been attracted to stompy footwear, Birkenstocks were a natural choice for me. I have Arizonas, Milanos, Gizehs, and I just got a pair of Mayans last summer. I love the soft footbeds when I can find them, and I far prefer them in real leather to fake.

I enjoy trying new trends sometimes, but with shoes and boots I've always known what I liked. Pointy toes will mostly NOT be happening with me; I wore Birkenstocks before they were trendy and I will wear them long after the trend has died. And just like some people may look at my cut-out booties and think they are cheap Balenciaga imitations (they mostly are), I look at Birkenstock knock-offs and wonder why anyone would want to buy knock-offs when the genuine article is affordable. It had not occurred to me that in this case, the knock offs would be trendier or more stylish than the originals.

Astrid

Veteran

Rachylou, I think you're right that you just have to accept the look. There's a Mephisto store here too, but I never had a pair.

Cciele, there are Birks available that have the wide straps and a back strap, the Milano. Those are practically the Arizonas with back strap. I actually think they look better than the ones without.

Denise, that makes sense.

I agree with you, Caro!

Ingunn, it might be 59€ - I'm not sure. I'm going to have a look at Monday when I'm near the store anyway, then I can tell you for sure.

Laura, that's why I have the Bali sandals and not the Milano! I've never tried Swedish Hasbeens, that trend didn't arrive here.

Style Fan, I've heard of Trippen but have never tried them. Are you sure you wore the right size in your Birks? I'v had the toe problem before wearing them a size to small - now in the right size the issue has dissapeared.

Mo, it is funny!

Echo, I'm also not going for pointy toe shoes. It's interesting to look at the sandals from a fashion perspective, isn't it? I also wouldn't buy the knock-offs if it would mean wearing look-alikes that have the look but not the comfort!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, that is really nice of you. Thanks again, and please don't rush, there's no hurry.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Astrid, I've always liked Birks. I remember running up to a woman in Quebec City when I was seventeen to ask her where she got her sandals, and that totally wasn't the sort of thing my 17-year-old self would normally do -- so there you go, I must have really been interested! They were classic Birkenstocks with two wide front strap and one back strap, and she said she'd got them in Germany. I was so disappointed, but then two years later, by about 1991, those shoes appeared ALL OVER THE PLACE. Hello grunge era!

Anyway, I've always had a thing for wide straps on flat sandals. I think they can absolutely be cool, as long as they're styled right. Go ahead and wear yours with pride! I no longer wear actual Birks because I'm sort of done with them (I think I overdid it in the 90s, what with the Birks and lumberjack socks), but here are my new Fly London summer sandals that I'm itching to wear (you can see the similarities):

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Mo

(website)

Veteran

And I just saw Birk's again in a fashion forward site http://needsupply.com/womens/shoes

Traci

Veteran

Astrid, what's the style name of the second pair you posted above? I'd love to have a more refined pair with Birki comfort.

Astrid

Veteran

No problem, Ingunn! And it's no bother, because I'm literally walking past the store on my way on Monday anyway.

Thanks Aziraphale! I'm going to. Love the Fly London sandals you got, have fun wearing them!

Mo, and they are white too! When I see white Birks I instantly think "nurse".

Traci, they are the Varna, made by Tatami which is the upscale sister brand of Birkenstock. Same insoles, but more stylish - more expensive too! The ones I've shown were also available in a black and a grey, for 160€ (ouch!).

Diana

Veteran

I don't wear Birks as they are too wide for me, but I do wear Naots which have a very similar vibe but are more narrow. Honestly I wear them with everything in the summer.

I like chunky shoes though. I don't actually like very bare sandals as I prefer something that provides more structure and support for my feet.

(I own #2 and #3, and used to own a different color of #1; I'll probably get another in a fun color this summer.)

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