Birkenstock, the 250-year-old German brand best known for its flat, orthopedic sandals embraced by hippies and grandparents, is no longer the antithesis of high-fashion.
Today, it’s a multibillion-dollar company popular among celebrities and style influencers, that has collaborated with the world’s top luxury fashion houses.
How did it get here?
The company’s roots as a comfort brand committed to quality and integrity have a lot to do with its success. The family-run business began by making and selling flexible insoles that are the same footbeds in Birkenstocks sold today.
According to Birkenstock, the footbeds encourage “proper foot health by evenly distributing weight and reducing pressure points and friction.”
“Birkenstock remains uncompromising when it comes to prioritizing foot health over looks. It is a brand that has always been about function.
Now, as the sandals resurface in the fashion world, it’s because the trend of the times has shifted to accommodate their distinctive look. It was in 1992, when Marc Jacobs drew inspiration from the bubbling grunge subculture and fitted Tyra Banks and Claudia Mason in ‘Arizona’ sandals for his infamous Perry Ellis show (which subsequently got him fired), along with models in All Stars and Doc Martens. Two decades later, Phoebe Philo’s 2012 Céline collection saw an adaptation of the Arizona sandals lined with mink, which fashion glossies labelled as ‘Furkenstocks’.
Ever since, the boxy, buckled orthopaedic shoe brand has become a top collaborator, with fashion houses like Dior, Rick Owens and Manolo Blahnik consistently revealing the toes of the fashionable and unfashionable alike.
“You wore them in secret”
Sure, they were comfortable, but for decades the sandals were derided as “ugly” and reserved for “hippies, grannies and tourists,” according to Sause. Even some fans of Birkenstocks were embarrassed by their appearance.
Embracing “ugly”
Fortunately for Birkenstock, its commitment to quality more recently coincided with a trend of rejection of traditional beauty norms, particularly among younger generations. That can mean deliberately dressing in a way that would customarily be considered unattractive, or openly embracing “ugly” styles.
Birkenstocks to wear in 2024
BIRKENSTOCK- BLACK ARIZONA OILED LEATHER
Starting with a popular model for men, the Birkenstock Black Arizona OILED LEATHER model has a simple, timeless, classic design that provides comfort and convenience with two straps made from Birko Flor®, a synthetic material.
Price 5,890 baht
BIRKENSTOCK-ZURICH SFB VL MINK
A must-see vintage line is the Zürich model from Birkenstock. BIRKENSTOCK has a design of shoes that are closed on the sides but open toe and heel so that your feet can get air.
Price 6,490 baht
BIRKENSTOCK-BLACK MILANO BIRKO-FLOR
The most simple and cool strappy sandals with a design that responds to the chicness of Birkenstock
Price 4,290 baht
BIRKENSTOCK-MAYARI
Cool design sandals with a toe loop that adds fashion to the Multi-Strap that can be adjusted to fit the front of the foot.
Price 4,290 baht
BIRKENSTOCK-BLACK BARBADOS EVA
Finishing off with sporty sandals, the shoes are made from ultra-lightweight EVA rubber.
Price 2,290 baht
