Chic ways to wear Birkenstocks

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I'm a Birkenstock Arizona addict with far too many pairs, especially Big Buckle and shearling.
Question though for all the stylish folks in this thread:
Is it really now chic to wear socks with Arizonas? I am seeing a LOT of beautifully dressed people with a scrunchy sock paired with the Birkenstocks. This look is paired with everything from elegant soft cashmere-y looks to a hipster jeans look to athleisure. I like it, and it would let me wear Arizonas in fall, but something in me still rebels. I need validation LOL :p
 
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I'm a Birkenstock Arizona addict with far too many pairs, especially Big Buckle and shearling.
Question though for all the stylish folks in this thread:
Is it really now chic to wear socks with Arizonas? I am seeing a LOT of beautifully dressed people with a scrunchy sock paired with the Birkenstocks. This look is paired with everything from elegant soft cashmere-y looks to a hipster jeans look to athleisure. I like it, and it would let me wear Arizonas in fall, but something in me still rebels. I need validation LOL :P

Funny you should post this…I was literally just googling this! I’ve been investigating clogs as a “between warm & cool” option and just can’t seem to find any I like, and started thinking why don’t I just wear socks with my Arizonas!?!

I honestly have seen many instances where it looks surprisingly good! It seems all of fashion’s old no-nos are being embraced, especially when it’s about comfort and usability. Kinda like “I just wanna be cozy and don’t care what you think”. I think it looks best with thick marled socks in a coordinating color…I couldn’t do it with just white tube socks or anything weirdly colored or patterned, or white-toed pairs.
 
Thank you! I’ve read about many people using them as slippers but I just bought a pair of Glerups so got that base covered! Basically need something for dog-walking around the hood so really I shouldn’t care about “trends”… But even if I’m in sweats I need to feel “put together” lol

I saw some reviews saying the shearling broke down really fast, that it had worn through after one season (though if they were being used as slippers worn daily all day…). What was your experience?
I have shearling arizona and Boston birkenstocks. I took my normal arizona size. The shearling flattens quickly underfoot, but didn’t wear through. But I have a lot of Birkenstocks and rotate, so wear is somewhat mitigated

+1 with @QuelleFromage re being a birkenstock addict :)
I also agree with @foxgal that socks can look nice with them, but it’s kind of an ironic faux hippie look with arizonas, and I’m not great with wearing items with irony. I do like it on others. I might wear socks with bostons though
 
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Thank you! I’ve read about many people using them as slippers but I just bought a pair of Glerups so got that base covered! Basically need something for dog-walking around the hood so really I shouldn’t care about “trends”… But even if I’m in sweats I need to feel “put together” lol

I saw some reviews saying the shearling broke down really fast, that it had worn through after one season (though if they were being used as slippers worn daily all day…). What was your experience?

With Covid, I've spent most of my time at home so I've worn them a ton but each pair has made it through six months of almost constant winter wear. I actually use my most worn pair as my dog walking shoes but they still look fine on the outside; it's just the inside that looks a little rough from missing patches of shearling. If you're only wearing yours for an hour or so a day, they should last much longer but ymmv. I have one new pair left that I will be using this winter and then I plan to buy more so I would say I highly recommend them :smile:

Funny you should post this…I was literally just googling this! I’ve been investigating clogs as a “between warm & cool” option and just can’t seem to find any I like, and started thinking why don’t I just wear socks with my Arizonas!?!

I honestly have seen many instances where it looks surprisingly good! It seems all of fashion’s old no-nos are being embraced, especially when it’s about comfort and usability. Kinda like “I just wanna be cozy and don’t care what you think”. I think it looks best with thick marled socks in a coordinating color…I couldn’t do it with just white tube socks or anything weirdly colored or patterned, or white-toed pairs.

I have shearling arizona and Boston birkenstocks. I took my normal arizona size. The shearling flattens quickly underfoot, but didn’t wear through. But I have a lot of Birkenstocks and rotate, so wear is somewhat mitigated

+1 with @QuelleFromage re being a birkenstock addict :smile:
I also agree with @foxgal that socks can look nice with them, but it’s kind of an ironic faux hippie look with arizonas, and I’m not great with wearing items with irony. I do like it on others. I might wear socks with bostons though
@foxgal, I'm with @880 and @jennlt that my shearling Birks flatten out but don't get worn through too badly - if I rotate them. My "in house shoes" are a pair of Vince "Arizonas" with shearling (I know this is a Birkenstock thread, but I love these just as much. They are basically identical to Arizonas but with a covered buckle. I bought four pairs in two colors!). With daily wear through a pandemic they have definitely worn down.

I bought the "all shearling" in blue and we'll see how they hold up. They look absolutely ludicrous, like Cookie Monster on the foot (and feel like heaven), but when I'm in NYC I'll fit in just fine as the fluffy shoe trend is still huge here.

On socks with Arizonas...OK!! I am going to try it. I'm looking for the right marled sock. I'm also going to try a sleeker sock like Comme Si makes. I don't know if I can carry this off in Paris but NYC should be fine. With athleisure or Rick Owens or even Marni, the irony should be palpable LOL.
 
@foxgal, I'm with @880 and @jennlt that my shearling Birks flatten out but don't get worn through too badly - if I rotate them. My "in house shoes" are a pair of Vince "Arizonas" with shearling (I know this is a Birkenstock thread, but I love these just as much. They are basically identical to Arizonas but with a covered buckle. I bought four pairs in two colors!). With daily wear through a pandemic they have definitely worn down.

I bought the "all shearling" in blue and we'll see how they hold up. They look absolutely ludicrous, like Cookie Monster on the foot (and feel like heaven), but when I'm in NYC I'll fit in just fine as the fluffy shoe trend is still huge here.

On socks with Arizonas...OK!! I am going to try it. I'm looking for the right marled sock. I'm also going to try a sleeker sock like Comme Si makes. I don't know if I can carry this off in Paris but NYC should be fine. With athleisure or Rick Owens or even Marni, the irony should be palpable LOL.
They actually have a selection of marled socks at Birkenstock. Slouchy cashmere socks would look great and feel so cozy, too. Mary-Kate and Ashley are even rocking them with The Row.


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@foxgal , @880, and @QuelleFromage Now I've fallen down the 'Stocks and Socks rabbit hole and found an article on the perfect length of sock to wear with your Birkenstocks lol

 
@foxgal , @880, and @QuelleFromage Now I've fallen down the 'Stocks and Socks rabbit hole and found an article on the perfect length of sock to wear with your Birkenstocks lol

I decided to cut and paste the article for ease of use.

Birkenstocks W/ Socks; Post-Modernist Not Dead Or Too Ironic To Be Cute?​

Kyla Stevens

Socks With Sandals Style​

As pastiche and irony continue to exhaust themselves as an aesthetic, yet another 90s era fashion faux pas has been deemed the hottest commodity since stretch tattoo chokers.
The former neck-bearding, asthmatic German naturalist uniform—socks with sandals—has formally reintroduced itself on New York Fashion Week runways, the pages of Vogue, and of course, upon the ever-layered Olson twins.
sock6
Get the look!
The earliest evidence of wearing socks with sandals is officially documented at an archaeological site situated between Dishforth and Leeming in North Yorkshire, England. Contentious carbon-dating suggests that Romans wore socks with sandals at least 2,000 years ago.

When In Rome​

Since 2010, socks and sandals have grown increasingly popular. However, there seems to still be some dispute as to what kind of socks are deemed nouveau riche and which are capable of reaching the staggered echelons of high fashion.
birkenstocks-with-socks
Birkenstock Arizona Oiled Leather in Black
Apparently, the length of the sock should not exceed roughly five inches above the ankle when “scrunched.” Exceptions to this rule are noted when the shoe has a significant amount of heel, but must also include ankle straps to be considered chic. That being said, notable “street-style” fashionistas have also been seen maintaining the ankle sock with their “ugly-pretty” sandals.
birkenstock-arizona-suede
The Birkenstock Arizona Suede in Mocha
As for the material, only socks that exhibit a 1:5 cost ratio between themselves and the shoe they’re complimenting are acceptable. For example, if your Birkenstocks cost you $120, your matching socks must hover between $20-$24. Exceptions to this rule include socks made out of the chin hairs of an endangered mountain goat, or socks actually manufactured in the U.S.
sock1
Birkenstock Arizona Oiled Leather in Black
Acceptable patterns, however, are more loosely defined. Anything from marbled wool to acid-induced dripping pizza slices are a go, as are Lolita-lace trims, neon pot leaves, and polka-dots.
sock2
Get the Look!
According to Glam Radar, ladies who sock & sandal should “keep it low – heeled and light – hued for that easy aura and pair it up with something dainty like a lace dress.”
Once you’ve established your aura matches perfectly with Spring 2016’s trendiest color—rose quartz—be sure to fit your sole to a Birkenstock orthotic footbed that will not only support your arches, metatarsal, and ankle, but will help keep your chakras aligned as well.
Ignore the oozing satire if you actually wear socks with sandals for circulatory improvement or other health related necessities.
 
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@foxgal, I'm with @880 and @jennlt that my shearling Birks flatten out but don't get worn through too badly - if I rotate them. My "in house shoes" are a pair of Vince "Arizonas" with shearling (I know this is a Birkenstock thread, but I love these just as much. They are basically identical to Arizonas but with a covered buckle. I bought four pairs in two colors!). With daily wear through a pandemic they have definitely worn down.

I bought the "all shearling" in blue and we'll see how they hold up. They look absolutely ludicrous, like Cookie Monster on the foot (and feel like heaven), but when I'm in NYC I'll fit in just fine as the fluffy shoe trend is still huge here.

On socks with Arizonas...OK!! I am going to try it. I'm looking for the right marled sock. I'm also going to try a sleeker sock like Comme Si makes. I don't know if I can carry this off in Paris but NYC should be fine. With athleisure or Rick Owens or even Marni, the irony should be palpable LOL.

OMG those “cookie monster” sandals look so comfy! You must give us a mod shot!!!

Now I want those teddies in eggshell…but I would be wearing them outside and they’d be filthy in no time :doh:
 
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I got my first pair this season , looks wasn’t classy and doesn’t go with everything,, causal only I’m a half size person and they didn’t have it ,, during walk it’s slightly hard because of the sole
 
Socks with birks is a very "I don't care what you think" style. It has been a mainstay of New England preppies for decades, but only as a small rebellion for the sake of comfort, of sorts. It's not really intended to be worn as something fashionable. You wouldn't wear when you are actually trying, but you would wear it to the library or out on errands and either hope nobody notices or act like you don't care if they do. It's one of those "I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it, but no one talks about having done it" things, where most of the time it came up it was to make fun of the person doing it. The super judgemental in my school class used to make fun of it, and I believe most of them labelled socks with Birks as for hippies, liberal arts teachers, lesbians who are Moms, and Dads.

The fact that some people are trying to make it into a mainstay fashion statement is kind of hilarious to me. I guess I think the lacy ruffled top slouchy socks with birks are pretty cute actually.
 
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