Birkenstocks are back baby!

As the trend for minimalist and regularly dubbed “ugly” fashion gains more force this summer, so do the Birkenstocks. Riddled with a varied reputation, these badass “geographer” sandals are back in fashion for the foreseeable future, or at least, until the weather gets worse. However, even the once dreaded socks and sandals have being making the odd fleeting appearance on London’s underground, so who knows how long the Birkenstocks will be back in town.

Dressing down has been the new dressing up for quite some time now, and the cheeky yet clumpy Birkenstocks simply add to that. Skinny ripped jeans, non-descript loose black crop top, a pair of enormous sunglasses and a cigarette, sorted. Kate Moss’ signature “heroin chic” is well and truly back from the dead. Again, there are elements of the golden era 90s comeback that can be witnessed, despite some negativity that still surrounds them for older generations.

At the end of the day, they are comfy and can last years if taken care of, so they really do tie in with the ever important “make do and mend” mentality that we need to bring home in order to beat down the “but I’ve already worn that once” mind set. The world just can’t take any more waste and neither can our wallets, so embrace the Birkenstock! However, uncared for Birks alongside an “I’ve been travelling” outfit simply screams dirty hippy, so be sure to get a pedicure and a flattering outfit before you don the sandals in public.

Another direction to go in is the pretty summer dress with the ugly sandal – the perfect oxymoron for London in the summer. Give it a go. Unfortunately, knock off Birks are pretty darned obvious, but the German shoe company have very kindly not sky-rocketed their prices due to the current trend, so you can still purchase that eternal favourite Arizona Sandal for under £65.

Elizabeth Finney