To Birkenstock or not to Birkenstock?

Birkenstock favourites

Birkenstock – yes or no? That’s the question of the summer. Yeah, I’m just kidding, but seriously: I’m thinking about buying a pair of Birkenstock’s. After mocking my mom for wearing hers for ages and thinking that they must be the ugliest shoe on the planet (next to UGG boots), I am a victim to fashion once again. Seeing them on fashionistas around the city and all over Pinterest too, I really started liking the classic sandals this summer.

Apart from the fashion aspects, Birkenstock is actually a really great company: The shoes are comfy and great for your feet. They are produced in Germany (local!) and you have the option of buying vegan ones. The company puts high value on protecting the environment and using solvent free glue and adhesives. There’s even a repair service to take care of your worn shoes and reduce waste. From a fair fashion perspective, the Birkenstock trend is a very positive one. I really hope they will stick around for a few years!

This summer, I would love to wear some Birkenstock’s with a pair of mom jeans (victim to fashion once more) and a simple t-shirt. They would also look lovely with a jean skirt and a striped t-shirt. I love that there are so many options to dress them up or down. If you bought some already, what’s your favourite way of wearing them?

What do you think – Birkenstock: yay or nay? Maybe some nice brown Arizona or shiny black Madrid’s?

Photo credit (from top left to bottom right): Modern Legacy, Dariadaria/Maximilian Salzer Photography, Just Another Fashion blog by Lisa Dengler, Hannah Henderson for Madewell blog.

Are you looking for more fair fashion summer tips? I put together my fashion favourites and also a tip how to only buy items you really like!

10 Comments

  • Nina
    June 2, 2015

     

    Ha, I feel the same as you… My mom used to have this kind of shoes when I was a kid so I would not though they would become likeable to me, but they slowly are. Despite the oh-so-German/Dutch socks-in-Birks thing too! Haha sorry I know it’s such a cliché, though I’ve seen many cases of socks in sandals when I lived in Germany! But a woman admitted that it was a men’s thing and that she didn’t get it, that her busband told her it’s very comfortable. So I said that my bf wears socks with flip-flops! (I know… I’ll never get it either…) But I have to admit that I sometimes like the sandals+socks combo!

    I wouldn’t wear birks with anything though, I think you gotta have quite a minimalistic outfit to wear them. Or maybe go crazy with a flowery dress or bold ethnic patterns, but not something in between. But I think I like them on others only, I wouldn’t imagine mysel wearing a pair. Maybe I should just try and see if it matches my closet? (but I think my bf would never accept them!)

    Anyway, I didn’t know the ethic side of the brand, so thanks for the information about that!

    • Hanna
      June 3, 2015

       

      Your outfit suggestions sound great – you should give it a try as well (if I dare, you should too!). And I get it about the German sandal-socks cliché (definitely not in Birks!). Your friend is right though – it’s definitely more of a (strange) men’s thing!

  • shannon
    June 2, 2015

     

    i love birkenstocks-especially since their so cheap in germany! They’re also SO comfty-isn’t it great when comfy things come into style?

    • Hanna
      June 3, 2015

       

      Yes! Same about the sweatshirt or over-sized trend, SO GOOD!

  • Johanna
    June 2, 2015

     

    Oh I’m having very similar dilemmas, there’s a part of me that really wants them and a part of me that thinks I won’t be able to take myself serious anymore haha, but then again, I think the really simple ones do look ok?!?!? (Or do they??)

    • Hanna
      June 3, 2015

       

      Haha, that’s exactly my train of thought ALL the time!

  • Kate
    June 17, 2015

     

    I have black Arizonas, but the browns are cute. I inherited a pair of old D Marten’s from my mom and totally didn’t get it at first. I was like “thanks, but no thanks.” Little did I know… I wish I had gotten some original Berks from her, too.

    • Hanna
      June 19, 2015

       

      I know! My mom used to have old ones that I only frowned at (and now they are gone…)!

  • Dad
    June 25, 2015

     

    Dear Hanna, YOUR dad NEVER had Birkenstocks :-)


Meet Hanna
Hanna's Places - a green lifestyle blog

Hanna’s Places is a green lifestyle magazine written by Hanna Ulatowski. It’s all about slowing down in a fast-paced society and finding ways to live a more sustainable, simple lifestyle.

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