Birkenstocks: They Aren't Just for Crunchy Types Anymore

If you had asked me ten years ago, or even two years ago if I would ever wear Birkenstocks, I would have answered “hell to the no”.  They were for “crunchy” types and women who had completely given up trying to look good.

And then I noticed that Birks had gotten…cute looking.  They were offering styles in Patent leather and bright colors.  They had gotten – gasp – trendy.  Well, trendy in my now suburban surroundings – pretty sure Anna Wintour isn’t clunking around the Vogue offices in a pair.  In any case, I decided to try a pair – a grey felt winter style called Basel (see photo below). 

When my husband first saw me wearing them, he laughed out loud.  I don’t’ blame him. They were SO not me.  I don’t think I could name one Grateful Dead song. We made jokes about having a ceremony to burn my beloved Manolo Blahniks (which I haven’t worn since I had kids) in a fire and chanting about inducting my new hippie dippy self into the world.

But here’s the thing – I LOOOOOVES them. They ARE comfortable and I feel kind of cool wearing them.  I also happened to have done a bit of research and discovered that stylish celebs like Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Uma Thurman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Mary-Kate Olsen and Robert Pattinson (yes, R-Patz digs him some Birkenstocks) have been jetting around town in them.

So have I “given up” on trying to look good? Please - I own a mini-van – I’d look like a bigger idiot stepping out of it in Jimmy Choos than I would in my now beloved Birks. The only thing I have given up are bunions and broken heels.

Anyone else with me?