Birkenstocks are back in fashion? I was there first
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Version 0 of 1. I danced a lot in the late 70s and early 80s, meaning I spent a good deal of time in sweaty leotards, laddered leg warmers and the usual odd assortment of warming up and cooling down clothes favoured by the contemporary dance fraternity. I was never all that good, and what with terminal stage fright and babies, I wasn't able to give it the time and dedication it demanded. But I enjoyed it very much indeed. There is nothing like the feeling of nailing a complex sequence of steps and playing your part in an ensemble piece. That thing Billy Elliott says – "Suddenly I'm flying, flying like a bird" – it's exactly that. When Fame happened in 1980 it connected with and ignited the latent dancer in just about everybody. Classes overflowed, which in itself wasn't a bad thing and at least got everyone off their dingy brown sofas, but those of us who'd been slogging away for years did feel just a tiny bit put out. That the technology, engineering and design arsenal of the fashion industry switched its focus to producing clothing that moved with you, was light, sweat absorbent and designed in flattering colours was definitely a good thing. On the other hand, we wanted to shout that we were here first and it seemed rude that our frayed authentic kit was sneered at when we regarded it as a badge of honour. I think that's how I feel about Birkenstocks this year. I have often referred to my beloved battered Birkenstocks in The Vintage Years and I have killed several pairs in my time (offing two pairs trudging around in the Atlas mountains). Now they have been adopted as "the sandal of the season" and are everywhere. They are stocked by J Crew and pop up at the front of the store's new look book. Basic Birkenstocks are not expensive, but stick a designer-y label on them and they command prices that make my bunions throb – mink-lined Céline at around £600 for example. I'm vexed that my favourite toe-post black patent Birkenstocks (an annual purchase) will also not do, because it is dictated that this season's Birkenstocks must be pristine and not have slogged many times around Greenwich Park. I suppose I could feel justified in my irritation that the fashion pack have commandeered the Birkenstock, when I have appreciated them during their wilderness years with no encouragement and a good deal of Guardian-biased ridicule, but that would be silly. I will continue to wear them even though they are no longer anti-fashion and perhaps add in a couple of pairs of the other "so ugly they're beautiful" flat sandals that are around this summer. In fact, I suppose it would be worth stocking up while there are so many, but I'm not sure I will still feel love for a white embellished pool slide next year. They make me think of foot baths and changing rooms. But you mustn't mind me and my grumpiness because there is one key factor to wearing this year's flat sandals that I do agree with wholeheartedly – the importance of a fresh pedicure. There aren't many of us who don't battle with feet as we get older – with the endless filing, rasping, soaking and moisturising that goes into maintaining them in gaze-worthy condition and I think it's important to carry on with that kind of upkeep. I feel very sad when I see chipped polish and horny toes crammed into sandals. When I can no longer reach my feet I think I'll have to get someone to maintain them for me, like a blacksmith with horses' hooves. My toes may well have lost their sense of direction and some point east while others point north – a consequence of all that dancing – but as long as they have perfectly painted nails and my heels aren't cracked, I feel I can get them out in the sun, in public. And while we're on the subject of painting toenails, here's a tip for you. I am the Jackson Pollock of toe painters, but if I paint them about six hours before I have a bath or shower, the soaking loosens up the surplus and it just peels off when you rub it with a towel. Follow it up with a slathering of foot moisturiser and Bob's your whatsit – perfectly painted digits! Never fails. I'm not one to harbour a grudge (actually I am, but that's another story), so I will wear my Birkenstocks and any other flat sandals I fancy and enjoy being foot fashion forward. I will oil up the leather on last year's and they will be as good as new and I will do the same with my feet. What a pity the same can't be said for my creaky knees … Follow The Invisible Woman on Twitter @TheVintageYear |