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Original poster

Asked before surely but are Birkenstocks ugly and frumpy?

53 replies

dragonmother · 13/07/2011 18:30

I was wondering about getting some for my holidays as they would be more practical than flipflops around town I imagine. But are they frumpy??

OP posts:
sunshineatlast · 13/07/2011 19:28

Said it before and I will say it again: birkies are the best Smile
Fitflops look heavy. Birkies are the biz, lovely suede insole, keep you cool, they look great with skinny jeans and are lovely and comfortable too.

I have silver ones right now and am always getting compliments.

pointydog · 13/07/2011 19:30

Do you think they're frumpy? That's all that matters really.

RollingInTheAisles · 13/07/2011 19:34

Are the relax ones narrower than madrids Pirate? Is that the main difference? I love my madrids and am not frumpy but do have wide feet so not sure if the relax would work. I do feel madrids look too wide with skinnies though which is annoying.

They do make heels dry though which is annoying but hard to avoid in sandals.

scottishmummy · 13/07/2011 19:44

no its not prejudice.observation and anecdote.not claiming it to be factual.so dont get yer skinny jeans in a fankle.its based upon my wholly unscientific and subjective observations of folk i see wearing birkenstocks

Original poster
dragonmother · 13/07/2011 23:35

OK I think I've been convinced to at least go and try some on. I normally have painted toenails and non-hairy toes so that could make them ok Grin

OP posts:
mumblechum2 · 13/07/2011 23:46

Oh actually I've changed my mind. the Relax ones in silver look q nice. I thought you meant those big black things with fat straps. Y'know, beardy American shoes.

£19 on ebay, I may buy some.

TillyIpswitch · 14/07/2011 02:49

I don't like them myself and don't think I would buy them - BUT I have seen some people carry them off with stylish aplomb.

The sort of aplomb that nearly makes me rush off to buy a pair, only to remind myself in the nick of time, that I don't have said aplomb.

spiderslegs · 14/07/2011 02:55

No, No, NO.

Birkenstock Relax are wrong, very, very wrong.

The only acceptable Bikenstocks are the Gizeh.

With a tanned foot & elegant toe.

ComradeJing · 14/07/2011 03:50

YY to needing a good pedi to wear them. They are a godsend if you have miles to walk. They are the only truely supportive summer shoe imo.

IWouldNotCouldNotWithAGoat · 14/07/2011 04:32

Everything about Birkenstocks screams "I have completely given up."

Get yourself something with a low wedge heel, I beg you.

frillyflower · 14/07/2011 08:41

I have single strap ones for narrow feet. Leopardskin. I also have fab pedicure. Wear with jeans.

I think they look really nice if you have attractive feet.

noddyholder · 14/07/2011 08:44

OOh i am west end alpha skinny jeans too much hair!

mumblechum2 · 14/07/2011 08:48

Stop bragging Noddy, we all know you're 25 stone and wear nothing but George at Asda

Grin
Meglet · 14/07/2011 08:52

I have a pink pair. They don't look too bad with polished nails and tidy jeans.

Don't think they're that comfortable though. I trudged round town in them the other day and have blisters.

mumblechum1 · 14/07/2011 08:57

Which ones Meglet?

midnightexpress · 14/07/2011 09:20

If it's a choice between

Uma Thurman or Heidi Klum who have clearly 'given up' completely Hmm, or

Victoria Beckham, who has obviously not given up and knows exactly what to wear for a game of footie when you're heavily pregnant, I know which I'd choose...

bonkers20 · 14/07/2011 09:21

I love my Birkies. I've had them for years and years. I wear them with cropped jeans. I have skinny legs (and very skinny ankles) and am tall. I truly can get away with this look. Crocs look totally rubbish on me.

noddyholder · 14/07/2011 09:28

Grin didn't think it was boast worthy thought it was some sort of scottish insult!

scottishmummy · 14/07/2011 09:33

uma looks ghastly in that get up,not good lookk at all
and LV bags are so trashy and chep looking.given you can buy them £5 down barras i think thats all they are worth

Quenelle · 14/07/2011 09:33

I bought my golden brown Mayaris when I was pregnant and they were the only thing I could get on my feet. That was two years ago and I still wear them all the time.

I wear them with everything. I have skinny, tanned, clean shaven legs and toes and pretty toenails.

scottishmummy · 14/07/2011 10:06

aye,a de-furred,plucked toe can help but not lift the ghastly aesthetics of birkies

AlpinePony · 14/07/2011 10:12

I'm sure they look lovely on some people, but on me, we're talking bulldyke. :(

I also find them extremely uncomfortable and need to curl my toes to keep them on.

piratecat · 14/07/2011 10:13

the relax ones I have are narrower imo. birki's do come in different widths within the same range. there's a little foot symbol on the footbed. if the foot is filled in ie black that indicates narrower, if it's just an outline it's the wider fit.

for the shape of my foot the relax are less flappy! yet my mum has a rather high instep and broader foot and she finds the relax narrow fine.

i have plantar faciitis and my god they have helped my arch. i can't wear wedges, or normal flip flops. normal flip folps damaged my feet, i suddenly got the plantar faciitis a few summers ago, and sadly had to give up the flat flip flop.
hth

Ormirian · 14/07/2011 10:17

I have a bad back and crappy old feet.

if I wear comfy shoes such as birkies I float like a goddess in painfree bliss ! If I wear 'pretty' shoes I waddle like a duck with piles. Take your pick Grin

Selks · 14/07/2011 10:28

I have a pair of these and they are fab. They look great under jeans, with just the toe strap showing, and are very comfortable compared with most sandals.

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