|
One of
the most talked about shoes in casual conversation but
usually mentioned somewhat derogatorily in the same
breath as tree-hugging environmentalists, granola-eating
hippies, and tie-dyed liberals, Birkenstock has come a
long way from their original German incarnation to one
of the great iconic brands of today. Birkenstock shoes
are perhaps most renowned for their contoured footbeds, which
conform anatomically to the contours of the human's
foot, as well as for their flexible arch support, which
provides proper underside support to the foot while
restoring
the foot to its natural position.
Konrad Birkenstock, who came from a long-line of German
shoemakers, was credited as the designer who invented
contoured footbeds and flexible arch support as inserts
to be used in custom and factory-made shoes
respectively, in and around the late 19th century. The
first Birkenstock sandals that had their own built-in
anatomical footbeds and arch support, however, only came
about in 1964, the brainchild of Karl Birkenstock, son
of Konrad.
The German brand was brought over to the USA by American
Margot Fraser, who discovered Birkenstock sandals while
holidaying in Germany. Margot, suffering from chronic
foot pain, got to experience first-hand the incredible
comfort of Birkenstock, and was so pleased with the
German made shoe that she set up a company back home and
became the sole distributor of the German made footwear.
This was in the late 1960's through early 1970's, when
the first Birkenstock sandals were introduced to the
American public.
Because of their orthopedic properties such as contoured
foot beds that offer flexible arch support, Birkenstocks quickly became a favored walking shoe for
traveling, as well as a proven orthopedic shoe for those
suffering from various foot ailments.
Popular Categories:
Aside from sandals and clogs, other popular
categories include Birkenstock boots, flip flops,
thongs, suede shoes and mary janes.
Since their first appearance in American retail shops
more than 30 years ago, although Birkenstocks may have
changed little in terms of styles and variations, the
footwear company has remained true to their belief
that first and foremost, shoes should be designed for
the feet, and secondly, they should be engineered to
last. While some may always find Birkenstocks to be a
little on the unattractive side, there is no denying
that apart from offering long-wearing comfort,
Birkenstock shoes are built to last (for several years
if worn properly and given proper shoe care).
Furthermore, the recyclable cork footbeds are easily and
repeatedly replaceable, which further prolongs the life
of the footwear. And since their prevailing style is
already timeless classic, Birkenstocks sandals also have
the uncanny distinction of never going out of style. All
of which help make the label an eco-friendly brand of
footwear that would have been happily endorsed by any
tree-hugging environmentalists, granola-eating hippies,
and tie-dyed liberals.
Related Footwear Brands:
Birki's, Betula, Tatami, Papillio, and Footprints.
Love them or hate them, Birkenstock clogs and sandals
have remained as relevant and popular 30 or 40 years ago
as they are now today. With their highly distinctive and
easily recognizable styles, Birkenstock shoes have
easily become an icon that represents healthy living and
environmental friendliness, amongst other less palatable
connotations as mentioned earlier.
Birkenstock sandals are best worn in the summer or in
warmer climes, with or without socks, although when worn
with socks, some may balk at the old Birkenstock-wearing
hippie inference. Birkenstock clogs, on the other hand,
can be worn all year round. The brand's casual styling
makes for an ideal match with a pair of
denim jeans. While many people wear them
as house slippers in Europe, here in the US, Birkenstock
shoes are as ubiquitous as say, a pair of Nike shoes,
and can be seen worn by just about anyone, anywhere.
Copyright Notice: The above article is the sole intellectual property of the owners
of this website and is protected by copyright laws. Reproduction or publication, in
whole or in part, without prior written permission
from the owners of this site, will not be tolerated. |
|