The Once-Reviled Birkenstock Clog Has Become the Shoe of the Summer
variety.comAnna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
It’s hard to think of a brand, or a sartorial trend in general, that has had a bigger comeback than the Birkenstock — first with their signature Arizona Slide Sandal (or “jesus sandals”), and more recently with their Boston Clog, which has become so popular in the decades since its 1979 launch, that select styles now go for nearly double their retail price on the aftermarket.
The centuries-old German footwear brand may have originally marketed themselves as utilitarian “health products” for an older demo, but the brand has since grown a robust, almost cultish following among the most stylish (and certainly non-geriatric) set, solidifying their place in the fashion zeitgeist — maybe just under the Adidas Samba. Read More: 40 Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad For a while, the dwindling supply of the Boston Clog was proof enough of its popularity.
The bestselling model was constantly out of stock on the website, which became a competitive hunting ground for trend-spotters looking to add the comfy model as a staple to their wardrobe.
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