I never thought I would wear a Birkenstock one day – Carte blanche to Jordan

“Damn, stupid!”

These are the words that Benoît Wojtenka, president of BonneGueule, expressed when I told him that I planned to wear Birkenstock Bostons in the street.

Intrigued by the comical choice of his words to express astonishment, I in turn shared mine with him in a more conventional way: “why?”, I asked him.

A debate arises. Which I don't remember very well either the beginning or the end and the middle is confusing I must say. But it seems to me that we are quickly coming to a Birkenstock vs espadrilles match.

Perhaps at this point, the only reason for this debate is that Benoît is Basque. And, when the sumptuous idea comes to me to bring the Charentaise into the game because there is no reason why I should not go there too from my origin, the editor-in-chief cuts short this illicit verbal joust.

Illicit, according to the laws of common sense obviously. The meeting passes but I think and rethink his “damn, idiot”. “Damn, stupid!” What if, “damn”, I really was that “asshole” he was calling out to me!

Investigation.

In my privacy.

My first Birkenstocks

Birkenstock is a brand of sandals born in Germany in 1774. Yes. In 1774, 15 years later, the French Revolution took place. Louis XVI beheaded, all that.

The models are considered orthopedic. And you know what ? That's not at all why I like them. I have 99 problems, but my feet are not one of them.

In fact, it doesn't even make me feel hot or cold. A bit like a navy Jules cotton sweater. We'll talk about it again when I'm older, you tell me, and you're right. But this is another story.

My first pair of Birks (that's what their friends call them!) were the mocca-colored Arizonas found on Sarenza if I remember correctly, or Zalando, or Yoox, for cheap while I was looking for a pair of shoes to drag on the dusty tracks of Cambodia.

And I never thought I would wear them once back in France!

And I was right. I didn't wear them.

I actually wrote a post that I titled Why I refuse to show my feet in town . And after receiving comments like that of Dimitri (without capital letters)...

In fact, I only wear them abroad, in a hot country, when my status as a tourist legitimizes a slightly nonchalant or even neglected outfit. And also because they are light and I don't need to take much care of them.

Well I told a lie.

I not only wore them abroad but in my apartment too. But as long as it was cold, they stayed in the cupboard. Besides, they are still there.

But that was before discovering the Bostons.

Why I love my Bostons

I think the first time I saw these shoes was on the feet of Ramdane Touhami who wears them a lot.

The first impression this pair of shoes made on me was: "ok, they're just clogs made cool by fashion people, no point."

And at the same time, I had a certain fascination for them because they were a pair of indoor shoes (in my eyes) that people wore outside without complexes. Which was enviable and in my quest for a playful style, it fit!

In fact, I think I envied Ramdane Touhami and all those people in the Parisian fashion world who wore them. They were free to wear what they wanted and I put barriers for myself.

However, I persisted in not giving in to it. I was a country boy after all, I didn't belong to the fashionable Parisian microcosm.

And then, by seeing them, my outlook changed.

By seeing them at the foot of this microcosm, I began to really appreciate them. Because it's deluding myself to believe that I'm not part of this microcosm... The majority of French people don't wear the clothes that I wear, nor do they work in fashion like me.

So one day, without considering buying them, I wanted to see them up close. And I built a Panache outfit by integrating them:

Good outfit, but a beige for the Birks would have been better I think.

I was charmed, but €110 seemed too much to me.

However, I built a second outfit in my Panache on the military jacket. After that, they never left me.

For the moment, I wear them at home. I wanted to go out into the street with it but the rain stopped me.

My outfit before I realized it was raining...

What I like about this model:

1. The shape

Yes really ! Some say they are the ugliest sandals in the world! I like this clog shape, as if carved from wood.

I like that it's not refined. Because, for the rest of my shoes, I'm looking for the opposite. There, these are my slippers, which I put on with a kick.

I also find that, in profile, they are very balanced and beautiful with this attachment on the top of the foot.

Barely received, already a photo taken. PS: sorry Nicolò, I borrowed your office for the occasion, having been without a fixed office since my departure to Bordeaux.

2. Comfort

That goes without saying. Step inside and tell me. And then, the way of putting them on also reminds me of moccasins. I love the clean look of these mules!

3. Be part of a microcosm of fashion connoisseurs

I know it's a bit lame but that's how it is. Feeling part of a group, from time to time, feels good. Not to exclude others, but to feel included in a delirium, however futile it may be.

In our team, Giovanni and Antoine (if I'm not saying something stupid) wear them quite often. They are trendy guys, attentive to fashion, to what is happening in terms of style in Paris and internationally, particularly in Japan.

Wear Birks, you share the same weird taste as a guy thousands of miles away casually.

Which brings me to my final point.

We are all influenced

I totally understand that we hate these orthopedic shoes that are the subject of hype. And perhaps this trend echoes that of ugly sneakers that has been around for a while, notably with Balenciaga's Triple S.

They are clogs. No more no less. With an orthopedic insole.

And besides, it comes back to me: Benoît, whom I quoted in the introduction, even told me that he would prefer to wear Crocs than these Birks. I don't really know why. I suppose everyone lets themselves be affected by the hype that they deem most acceptable.

And precisely this raises the question of the trend and its hold on us.

We who are enlightened consumers. We who favor style over fashion. We who write articles on consuming better. Are we really closed to fashion, as people have said?

No ! The proof with this article.

Birkenstocks are undeniably fashionable. So cool that the brand turned down a collaboration with Supreme in 2018 .

it is not a classic wardrobe staple like chinos or jeans and surely one day the trend will run out of steam. It's even safe now that LVMH has a majority stake in the company.

Birkenstock x Valentino collaboration

For the moment, as they are found on the feet of the trendy, they are considered cool. And then, when fashion has exhibited them for everyone to see and everyone has a pair, the trend will die because they will have become outdated .

Brief !

YES, I am influenced by fashion myself. I simply know when I am under its influence. In a way, I let myself be captured when I feel like it, like a fish that knows exactly where the hole in the net is. I play with her, I play with her while she thinks she's playing with me.

The western belt, commando soles, fleece, glasses with tinted lenses are all micro-trends that I like to follow. So what ? Are you going to call the fashion police?

I'm warning you, I'll do it again! And again, I will hear: “Fuck, stupid!”