I used to think that Birkenstock sandals went perfectly with every possible outfit. When I was 16 I wore them with shorts, pants, and formal dresses, thinking they complemented each ensemble. This strange idea stemmed from my idolization of a really cool camp counselor I had when I was in the eighth grade. Her name was Shauna and she was a bit of a rebel and had short hair and eyes that got really squinty when she smiled and she was beautiful. She wore her Birkenstock sandals everywhere. I was chubby, with pouffy hair I didn’t know how to tame, and many unrequited crushes. I figured that the only thing in my power to change was the footwear so I begged my mom to fork out the $150 for a pair of Birks, claiming it was for comfort’s sake, when really I longed to look like my foxy campy counselor. Thus began my love affair with Birks. Even as I thinned out and learned the art of hair straightening, I cherished those sandals. I wore them so often I had to get them re-soled. (Part of that need has to do with the fact that I kind of walk like a duck. But that is another story for another day.) I eventually broadened my shoe horizon and started wearing other kinds of footwear: heels with a dress, flip flops with shorts, and flats with my jeans.
As of today, however, I am back to the Birks. I have a mild case of plantar fasciitis, which basically means that my heel and the tendon leading from my heel to the ball of my foot are really sore, and this condition is only exacerbated by the glorious pregnancy weight I am toting around so I need to wear shoes with support. I also tripped on a vacuum hose yesterday (classy!) and rolled my foot really badly and even though it’s not swollen or broken or sprained, it feels like I did some damage to my poor, spreading foot. So, I busted out the Birkenstocks and my feet sang a song of joy. They are supported and happy to be in their hippie home.
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OH, the birks. I had that exact pair. I loved to wear them with those ugly wool socks. I probably even had my senior pictures in them.
Oh, sorry to hear about your “entanglement” with the vacuum hose. Hope that doesn’t cool your love affair!
Glad to hear you had such a great weekend, we’ll have to get together soon. Give Avey a kiss from Grannie!
I wore a pair of Birks while pregnant, and for some reason, my ankle completely gave out in said Birks during my 8th month while washing lettuce. That injury still haunts me while running.
WHAT UP, BIRKS?
I love me some birks. My happy hippie feet love them too :)
I love my birks too! I have that exact pair, and I do wear them with nearly anything I wish. I do have lots of other shoes I love, but my Birks are my first love. =) I’ve had the same pair now for probably at least 7 years, and I still love them.
I have to admit I’m cheating a bit on my Birks though- I’ve discovered Danskos and I LOVE them. They have lots of fun and functional clog styles (my favorite), but also so very comfy dressy shoes. The “Roxy” heals are really cute and comfy.
Just in case you need to cheat on your Birks too! =)
Also, I buy all expensive shoes on ebay. For cheap.
I have a hard time visualizing you in Birks, but you can carry anything off :)
See you in the morning! Will I get to see the Birks in action?
I so rocked the birks in middle school. I had blue ones that I thought were the coolest. Glad you found some comfortable footwear, the beauty of pregnancy is you can get away with almost anything fashion wise and everyone still thinks you “glow.”
I love that one pair of comfort shoes! I bet they look adorable!
I also love my birkenstocks, but mine are a little different:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreadpiraterach/1052487026/in/set-72157602439723673/
Only 2 of the legs are mine!
Love birks!
even worse I wore Crocs my whole last trimester…haven’t worn them since :)
I wore Birkenstocks like those in high school, and in my first couple years of college. I wore them ALL THE TIME.
My only problem (and the reason I stopped wearing them) is that they STIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK after awhile, and there’s no way to fix it. Kinda embarrassing.
While everyone seems to be joinng the Birkenstock club, thought I would share my first thought that popped into my mind while reading your post. I used to live in Kelowna, and was dying to own a pair of Boston Birks (those are the fully covered ones), I had this vision of me in my little hippie dresses and my VW Van….I knew I would be sooooo cute. (he he he he) Anyhow, you couldn’t buy that style in K-town, so believe it or not, I actually went all the way to Victoria to gather me a pair of them. Gosh, the things we do for lovely comfy birks!!
I think these are the most ugliest shoes ever!!! Why would you wear something so non-sexy…? You husband must also think you are insane! First cutting your hair and now these shoes… You should bring sexy back! Eventhough you are pregnant. There are a ton of different very comfortable shoes you can wear. Not these please…
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