Many of you may have gathered at this point (from some of my references), that I am a little hippie girl wrapped up in a fashion bow. I spent my teenage summers in Grateful Dead parking lots and twirling at the shows to a little Scarlet Fire or Franklin’s Tower. Birkenstocks were, of course, a staple.
I haven’t worn them in a very long time, opting for Havaianas or ballet flats when I’m not in heels.
The thing is I have some serious foot problems. As in, I get stress fractures on a regular basis. Seriously, I was once on crutches three times in twelve months. Other than the fact that I decked them out in vintage scarves, the situation was not cute.
I’m in need of flat summer shoes that offer me some actual arch support. It’s the flats that kill me more than my heels, probably because I walk around the city in them for hours.
Re-enter the Birks. They’re created to give proper support to the heel and the arch. And I think this patent pair looks kinda jazzy, for a Birkenstock. Of course, I know any pair, especially the originals, will work with my hippie garb. But can I wear these on a regular basis without looking too Summer of Love? Do you guys know of other cute warm weather pairs that are also foot-friendly?
I can’t do crutches or the boot again. I just can’t.
Tags: Birkenstocks, Grateful Dead, Havainas
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It’s nice to see that Birkenstocks are making a slightly more stylish shoe. I also have foot problems and it is really difficult to find a stylish shoe that is good to your feet.
http://amandasfashionspot.blogspot.com
Ha! I’m in a boot now. I feel your pain. Personally, I can’t dig on the birkenstock. But flats aren’t good. I say find a 2″ wedge…something not so tall, not a flat, but gives your arch support.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
See: Sari Gueron, Spring ’08
Love the Gizeh’s..not so much the patent though, I like the light tan/brown ones.
I had the EXACT same problem, a recurring stress fracture originally from running that just refused to go away. I was in and out of an air cast over the course of a year. NO FUN.
I wore those black patent Birks last summer like it was nobody’s business. I work in fashion but it is the only shoe that gave me arch support and didn’t hurt my poor little foot.
Rock the Birk, sister, or your stress fracture will just get worse!
PHILLIP LIM MADE BIRKS LAST YEAR!!!
and my one regret (i type as i am wearing the ones i bought which are starting to fall apart after every-day wear) is that i didn’t buy, like, four pairs.
they are adorable, comfortable as shit, and dressy enough to wear to work. they are metallic and black patent with a t-strap and an adorable little fringey piece. i can’t find then in my size anywhere – not even at his showroom – i looked. i even got the last pair of my style at barney’s last spring. i’m so suprised they didn’t blow up.
can we please petition for them to be made again?
I would LOVE to hear about more cute shoes options from comfort brands. I have the same thing with stress fractures AND a bunionette (that’s a bunion under your pinky toe) from wearing heels 24/7 in my misspent youth. I’ve been stalking zappos and amazon for actually cute options from brands like Clarks, Easy Spirit, even Lifestride, but still haven’t found the holy grail. I loved my worishoffer lace-ups last summer, but kinda want something that looks a little bit less orthopedic, even if it’s orthopedic chic.
i’d say no, but healthy feet ARE more important than shoes. and that’s coming from a shoegal. so yes, Abby, do away with the pain and rock the Birks that don’t make you want to saw your feet off at the end of the day. patent leather pimps them out enough to not be hideous.
I don’t know, I bought these two years ago, thinking they were the perfect alternative to my constant flip-flop wearing. They’ve been languishing in a corner of my closet ever since. Cute in theory, but they just don’t do it for me…
Try Mephesto’s versions.
or look into beautifeels…some of the shoes look a little too orthopedic, but there are a few gems out there!
Taryn Rose also makes super super cute COMFORTABLE and SUPPORTIVE shoes!!
faran- i loved that collection, but i think it was spring 07.
Rock em out! I’m wearing mine right now under my desk! When I have to go into meetings I put on my heels. For winter time I have pairs of Borns and Soffts that serve the same purpose.
Soffts actually make decent pumps that offer support. True, they’re not as cute as some of my other shoes but I’m never embarrassed to be seen in them :-)
Random question, what’s the average age on this blog…I’ll volunteer, I’m 26…just kinda sad that we’re so young and already have problems from when Manolos ruled the earth!
Birkenstocks have been very much in fashion for (I think at least 3) years now where I live. So I’d say ‘yay’.
i don’t have a problem with certain birkenstocks…but i MUST highly recommend warishofers!!! they have a small wedge and are seriously comfortabe, plus super cute. i bought a pair and wore them around all that night, never having to break them in.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&ei=ruYvSt35CsLO-Aa79ryICg&resnum=0&q=worishofer&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
I say rock the Birks!
i love this thread! my feet feel more comfortable already!
as a sidenote, i think “yay” should actually be “yea” when used in the “yea or nay” context. i don’t mean to be rude, just making a suggestion.
Corso como makes cute and comfortable shoes!
i vote YAY!
I say yes! I too suffer from major feet issues. As well as hip and knee problems. I’m flat-flooted, one of legs is longer than the other, and my hips turn inward. Pain, pain, and more pain. Because of this, I always gravitate toward cute flat shoes that I can put my custom orthodic inserts in. I wear lots of Nikes (dunks, not running shoes) and boots in the winter, but I’m always at a loss at what to wear in summer, sandal-wise. Maybe I’ll try birks out. Even though I won’t be able to put my orthodics in, maybe they’ll give me enough support.
i have knee and back issues that cause all kinds of problems while trying to wear cute summer shoes…in my search i came across these which looked like they might have some arch support and are quite cute: http://www.ninewest.com/Odolf/3792528,default,pd.html?cgid=1059&itemNum=124
I don’t actually have a pair but i think some of the Birkenstock designs are quite nice. I might get myself a pair this summer. I would get the traditional brown leather and admit I’m a big vegan food only, three R’s, folk music listening hippie.
I recently read an article about how high heels are actually better for your feet than flats and that even Birks aren’t great though so… maybe get really hippie and go barefoot? That’s bad too, isn’t it?
I say “yay” all the way. I have been a Birkenstock wearer since the tender age of 13. (MY father swears by them). Yes, I love my heels but on the grocery store days, the ballet days, the days when you just can’t do it, slide on the clogs. Give in to the urge. I’ve wanted the Gizeh for years. Now might be the time to take the plunge.
kindred spirits unite! i have a pair of silver birks with one strap across the front that i found in paris. they are so comfy and definitely more city-sportable than the classics. rock it out!
Cole Haan makes lots of cute sandals (not just the pumps) with the Nike Air bottoms on them. I bought a pair of white pearlized Birkenstocks last summer in Europe which are super cute! Good luck–feet problems are just not worth it!
I say, if you’re gonna go for a pair of birks, get the original design. A lot of comfort shoe brands are trying to make their shoes look a little more stylish, and it doesn’t really work. (Wedge crocs, anyone?) That patent pair looks a bit cheesy, as if they’re trying too hard to be cool. I’d say getting the original style will look more summery and laid back than the pair you have pictured. (And they’d be more of an actual fashion statement…)
THIS is the shoe. Trust.
http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=5701&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4477%2C7490%2C9332&iProductID=5701
Uber-comfy, versatile, and you will get ton sof compliments.
i don’t want to sound overly cruel but:
guest 29, are you joking?
Birks are fine for casual everyday wear. My recommendation for super comfortable and close to orthopedic shoes is Chie Mihara. Most of her shoes have an orthopedic foot bed with lots of support. Some of her sandals are not as supportive, but let me tell you, the mid heel shoes are insanely comfortable and CUTE. Shell out the money because it is worth it to have healthy feet.
I find havaianas trashy and uncomfortable. I know american girls love them, but, as Italian, I know every italian girl would not be caught up dead wearing one of those shoes.
Instead Birkenstock are very popular,
(and not just among monks) since the brand has started producing more fashionable models, there are tons of models uber- cute!
Plus they’re comfortable, and you can walk in them for hours, without having your back aching.
LOL @ Comment 30
I say go for the Birks! I think if purchased in the right color and style they’re pretty minimalist and can go with most casual summer outfits. Sometimes simple and no frills is the best way to go.
I am so happy with this post, I think I have a stress fracture right now and put myself on bed rest as of this morning until my doctor appointment tomorrow. I broke my foot around this same time last year and am terrified of being back in the boot again! My doctor told me that any sandals as long as they have a little wedge are better then flats. Anyway, I rather sacrifice my flats during the day for birks if it means I can wear my heels out at night!
my bff just got that exact pair. thry look adorable and she wars them all the time.
Naots are like Birkenstocks, only slightly narrower (hence less shoe-box looking), slightly cushioned (so more comfortable), and have a bit more arch. They also come in the exact same style shown above…
I say go for the Birks. One of my good friends has this exact same problem and she says topsiders are also quite cushy and cute. They might be too preppy for you, but it’s another option.
Ever heard of insoles? Stick some orhodics in your flats and you’ve got a comforable shoe. Magic.
And here I was thinking I was alone in my stress fracture suffering. I once had four in my right foot at the same time. Total disaster that I must avoid again. Sorry you guys are feeling the pain too…doesn’t it suck?? I’m totally stocking up on Birks this weekend. And I do have insoles, custom ones in fact, but they just don’t work in so many of my shoes!
xxA
Random question, Abby…do you have a good foot/ortho doc? (totally random, but hey, figured I’d ask)
Guest 40, I was living in LA during the first major chunk of my foot problems (and only surgery) and I wasn’t in love with my last orthopedist here in NYC since I’ve been back. But an old boss recommended someone great to me a few months ago, for the next time :)
Dr. Jordan Metzl who I was actually just reading in NY Mag the other night made their top doctors list. I haven’t been yet, but supposed to be amazing.
xA
I second Worishofers. I got my first pair last summer and wore them a ton. They’re so comfortable. I have the birkenstock “gizeh” and I like them a lot. I also have the “sparta” which has more of a gladiator feel. Love them both.
do it!!i love birks- i’ve always wanted a pair, i just think they clash with my aesthetic… however, i think i see some on their website that could work for me.i hope so. i do so long for comfy shoes…
I know I might get attacked for saying this….but I walk a TON (like many other nyc girls) and for commuting I think fitflops are amazing – I feel like they offer amazing support and if you buy the all black pair you can’t see the logo(i dont like logos)…and the fact that they’re supposed to work your butt and legs is a bonus (although I have yet to see any improvement ;-))
loling/agreeing with #30
hell girl, go for the birks! beauty might be pain but these are cute and pain-free. I’ve seen similar styles by other brands but probably not as comfy as the birks.
just please stay away from their Jesus sandals and clogs!
Totally unrelated, but I am SO happy to see the editors and writers responding to comments! It gives a great feel to Fashionista.
I agree with 44, I bought fitflops after recovering from a broken foot last year and they are super supportive and comfortable, as long as your pants cover the gigantic logo they are the best!
I have the same problem. You can buy small gel arch inserts at places like Target and Walgreens in the section with all the foot stuff. I put them in my ballet flats, so that I can wear cute flats and have adequate arch support.
I have the same problem. You can buy small gel arch inserts at places like Target and Walgreens in the section with all the foot stuff. I put them in my ballet flats, so that I can wear cute flats and have adequate arch support.
I hate Crocs (the clogs) but like the Croc flip flops. I can’t wear regular flip flops but these are great and very comfy as they have arch support:
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-109-4-capri.aspx
(You can get them without the ugly logo – mine have no logo)
i totally have and wear these http://www.birkenstock.ca/model/GIZEH-1428-en.php in a dull bronzey leather allllll the time.
doable with hippie wear – obviously – but also looks super cute with skinnys or a cute dress.
they’re just so comfy. who really cares???