Until last year, Only the shoes really matter for me is the lanyard or the heel. But with the popularity of The Row’s ultra-chic Ginza slippers last season, my tastes are starting to widen. In addition to thick flip flops, I’m adding another look list of must-wear shoes this summer: gorpy slides. If you’re having trouble figuring out what I mean, think of Birkenstock’s classic Arizona sandals. For years, Birkenstocks were often the shoes you’d only see at art teachers or regular campers, but in one turn, the silhouette became one of the defining trends of the year. And perhaps the biggest signal that this style has become fully accepted in fashion is Birkenstock’s recent famous collaboration with designers like Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler and Manolo Blahnik. But public opinion about gorpy slides doesn’t just exist on the internet. It has also been translated into real life. All my fashion friends have been buying trends lately. It’s one of those things that’s great in a unique or “ugly” way, but once you get the hang of it, you just can’t shake the idea.
With the industry seal of approval and everyone I know suddenly wearing them, it’s fair to say I’ve been properly affected. As we talked, I had dozens of tabs open, shopping to find a pair to start with being a member of the ugly slippers club. To see the pairs currently in my cart, continue scrolling below — you might as well join the fandom.
