Well, I guess my transformation is complete. I now own a pair of Birkenstocks. I'm a real hippie* now.
When I attended high school in the late 1990s I was appalled by the number of my fellow students who unashamedly rocked their Birkenstocks with wool socks (you know who you are). In their defense, there was a certain 'outdoorsy' cohort of students who likely inspired this trend, but memories of this awkward look turned me off Birksenstocks for the better part of two decades.
I admit, I'm guilty of keeping the Birkenstocked-Hippie stereotype alive in my book; these sandals are referenced in the chapter when I visit the Manly Food Co-Op and see women in their Birkenstocks and feel there is no possible way I could fit in a place like that.
But my inner fashionista simply cannot ignore the growing trend for this quirky and comfortable sandal. And really, the writing was on the wall as soon as the stylist for the Clean Cut Designer Showcase sent our lovely models down the catwalk in - you guessed it - Birkenstocks and socks.
After much deliberation, including considering exactly which outfits I could wear these sandals with so as to not simply be a slave to fashion (or buy something that I really won't wear), I finally purchased my very first pair of Birkenstocks.
I opted for the patent leather black Arizona style, and can confirm they really do go with a large portion of my wardrobe, are extremely comfortable, and live up to the environmentalist credentials I always assumed they had.
And I even wore them to the Manly Food Co-op** on the weekend . . . but I don't think you'll catch me wearing them with socks anytime soon.
xxLisa
*Dear self-identifying hippies, please do not take offense! I admire your dedication to your lifestyle, it is simply that I have never felt comfortable in the traditional 'hippie' attire. As my friend told me on the weekend, I am now a 'North Shore Hippie' (i.e., not a 'real' one like he is)
**The Manly Food Co-op is currently raising funds to help them move into a larger space - if you've been contemplating membership for awhile, now is an excellent time to join!
When I attended high school in the late 1990s I was appalled by the number of my fellow students who unashamedly rocked their Birkenstocks with wool socks (you know who you are). In their defense, there was a certain 'outdoorsy' cohort of students who likely inspired this trend, but memories of this awkward look turned me off Birksenstocks for the better part of two decades.
 |
| Ahh the memories . . . it certainly didn't stop me from dating a couple fellas who wore this interesting combination. |
I admit, I'm guilty of keeping the Birkenstocked-Hippie stereotype alive in my book; these sandals are referenced in the chapter when I visit the Manly Food Co-Op and see women in their Birkenstocks and feel there is no possible way I could fit in a place like that.
But my inner fashionista simply cannot ignore the growing trend for this quirky and comfortable sandal. And really, the writing was on the wall as soon as the stylist for the Clean Cut Designer Showcase sent our lovely models down the catwalk in - you guessed it - Birkenstocks and socks.
 |
| Can you also spot the white Birkenstocks on the right, on one of our guests? |
After much deliberation, including considering exactly which outfits I could wear these sandals with so as to not simply be a slave to fashion (or buy something that I really won't wear), I finally purchased my very first pair of Birkenstocks.
I opted for the patent leather black Arizona style, and can confirm they really do go with a large portion of my wardrobe, are extremely comfortable, and live up to the environmentalist credentials I always assumed they had.
 |
| They are perfectly paired with my Carlie Ballard hand-woven Ikat traveller pants - and the ideal shoe for walking around the cobblestone pathways on Sydney University campus. |
And I even wore them to the Manly Food Co-op** on the weekend . . . but I don't think you'll catch me wearing them with socks anytime soon.
xxLisa
* * * *
*Dear self-identifying hippies, please do not take offense! I admire your dedication to your lifestyle, it is simply that I have never felt comfortable in the traditional 'hippie' attire. As my friend told me on the weekend, I am now a 'North Shore Hippie' (i.e., not a 'real' one like he is)
**The Manly Food Co-op is currently raising funds to help them move into a larger space - if you've been contemplating membership for awhile, now is an excellent time to join!
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