Birkenstocks in London

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This is just an observation and I was one of these people so I’m not being judgy but… I ventured into town yesterday and I recon every third women was wearing Birkenstock Arizonas and probably 80% of those were wearing the stone colour. There was one point where a hen party walked past and they were nearly all in the exact same pair of stone Arizonas. There was also an actual queue to get into the Birkenstock shop (and I was in it)!!
It was so bad that I decided not to buy a second pair of Arizonas and bought Mayaris instead.

They're in fashion, it's a summer shoe and the weather has warmed up significantly this week so it's not overly surprising.

I have a pair of suede Arizona's and really like them, they're comfortable and I like how they look with the things I wear. They aren't stone but I do really like that colourway and would happily wear them/buy a pair - and might still do! Seeing them on other people usually just confirms that I think they look nice.

I don't think there are any prizes for choosing something different for the sake of it. From a distance (or if you aren't someone who wears them) then I think they all look pretty similar anyway, the similar or identical footbeds are the same silhoutte and fairly recognisable.

They are practical & comfortable & look nice so a bit of a winner. I do take the point though about fashion becoming a lot more homogeneous.

They're fugly as hell. Look like something the BFG would wear. I've never got the obsession with them, I'd put them up there with the god awful alien Yeezy shoes.

I'm addicted to mine. Completely, completely in love (suede Arizona and Boston). Finally I've found something that doesn't hurt my feet and is also serendipitously in style (not that I give too much of a shit about that).

It's now a punishment to wear other brands of shoes... The Birkenstocks have actually reduced my knee/back/hip pain a fair bit too. I honestly put them on as soon as I get up and wear them as much as I can, for dog walking, strolling, school run, out and about.. and they go with everything. Joggers or a dress or smart suit or anything. With socks! No socks!
My only complaint is I seem to get sharp little rocks flicking inside them quite often with the Arizonas. Probably going to have to buy the leather ones for winter because I just cannot go back full time to my more painful shoes..

AND I for one am so glad that younger/any women don't feel the need to cram their feet into uncomfortable and physiologically damaging high heels any more. I don't think I'll ever wear heels again and it's liberating!

Not all of them will be birkenstocks, I have a pair that look like Arizona but they're a different brand. AFAIK birkenstocks don't do pink glitter

I guess I’m just pondering how I will feel about their popularity in a years time. I’m terribly fickle when it comes to fashion and go off things that are “popular”. However, they really suit my wide feet and I can drive in them so maybe I’ll cope.

I wear various types of Birkenstock's outdoors for most of the year, my Madrids indoors the whole year round.

I don't care if people find them ugly, nor do I care if they become 'too' popular and people presume I'm following a trend. I do not care, because my feet and my knees are happy.

They're absolutely hideous shoes. I will never understand them, but they obviously work for a lot of people.

Was in Europe last week and lots of people were wearing them. I have a few pairs including Arizonas that has heel straps.

Oh and I've been wearing them for over ten years so not worried about fashion lol

I love my black Yaos. I'm at the age where I like the arch support. I find them very comfy

Bloody love mine, feel very fortunate to not give a flying f**karoo about fashion!! 😅

Wide feet and Birkenstock Madrids = 😁

But it’s not just a quick passing fashion thing, is it?

Londoners walk a lot. So Burkies and other walking-friendly sandals replace trainers and walking shoes once the temperature rises.

What looks naff, IMO, is people struggling around in uncomfortable shoes.

I love Mayaris and find them more comfortable, cooler and more flexible for looks than Arizona.

They're very "in" at the moment but even when they aren't they are still pretty ubiquitous. I remember a colleague of mine wearing Gizah's 20yrs ago.
If you like them get them.

@SaveMeFromForearms

Agreed! They remind me of orthotics!

😂

I don't get them either!

I feel that way about dr martens sandals. They did look different now everyone has them, including the knock offs 'mock fartens'.
Not sure whether I want to wear mine anymore.

Can I ask a question to all you Birkenstock wearers, please? Do they make ‘farting’ noises when you walk? I bought a pair, loved them for the comfort, but as I walked, the sole of my foot would sort of squeeze the air down into the shoe and it sounded like I was farting. I had to give them away. I looked online and apparently it is a ‘thing’. As they seem to be so popular I’m thinking that not everyone gets these sounds? Or maybe there are only certain styles that do? Or is there something I can do to stop it as comfort wise they were brilliant.

Which you might need if you walk miles in flat shoes or heels 😉

I've been wearing Birk's for many, many years now- winter and summer. Finally, finally, I can tell my teenager that I am on trend...........😉

I love mine and don’t care if they’re trendy or not trendy.

I'm just breaking in a pair of Arizonas after my 14 year old Floridas finally perished. I wish they hadn't discontinued the Florida shape, which I preferred, but I have foot pain from a job that involves standing all day and Birkenstocks are such a relief to wear.

@ThomasThorne it happens occasionally for me. Maybe once a week or less but definitely not all the time. Maybe the strap was too loose?

I wear milanos as prefer the heel strap but they are super comfy

I have lots of pairs of Birkenstocks and only one design does the farting noise thing. My sisters both have the same problem with that design.