Cheap Thrills! Why the Non-Fashion Shoe Is Making a Comeback Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Birkenstock1/19Nicole Phelps, Director, Vogue Runway
Is it unfashionable to say that I have my eye on these navy foam-soled Birk slides now that the great Birkenstock craze is officially over? Who cares? I bought these in black two years ago and they remain the comfiest shoes in my closet.
Birkenstock Madrid sandals, $30, buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Fluevog2/19Kristin Anderson, Vogue.com Fashion News Writer
I recently professed my newfound affections for the deeply, unapologetically offbeat Fluevog shoe—well, not all of the brand’s styles (you’ll catch me in a squashed-heel Mary Jane when hell freezes over), but definitely the witchy-cool pairs, like the Seraphina granny boot, as seen on none other than Yoncé.
Fluevog Seraphina boots, $419, buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Teva3/19Emily Farra, Vogue.com Fashion News Associate
When I was a kid, I used to get a new pair of Tevas every summer—I loved that there were always dozens of new patterns to choose from. There was a navy pair with gold suns and moons that I could never get my hands on, which still bugs me! But I love these dark green ones, too—the pattern looks kind of Southwestern to me, and they’d be so much more comfortable than all of my leather sandals and sneakers.
Teva women’s Original Universal sandals, $50, buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Clarks4/19Chioma Nnadi, Vogue.com Fashion Director
I’ve had an obsession with Wallabees since I was a kid. It was part of the Jamaican rude boy look that was really big in London back in the ’90s, and my friends and I would stand in line to get them at this popular shoe store called Shellys. My mom is Swiss-German and was really insistent that I wear sensible shoes. When I was a child, she had me in Birkenstocks at age 3, although I refused to wear them once I was in middle school—they weren’t cool enough for me back then, apparently. In fact, Wallabees were the only ugly-pretty shoe we could agree on. I really wish they would make them in white suede, but the sandy-colored version is a classic, and great with bare ankles and cropped jeans in the summer. Plus, Alexander Wang brought back the look for Fall 2016.
Clarks Wallabee boots, $140, buy it now
Photo: Courtesy of Chaco5/19Emily Rosser, Vogue.com Photo Editor
“I like the comfortable hippie vibes of this dad-like footwear.”
Chaco ZX/2 classic sandals, $105, buy it now
