Raising Arizona: from therapy shoe rack to coolest catwalk

Despite their unflattering, orthopaedic moulded cork soles, Birkenstock sandals have a unique style status in the fashion world.

Everyone from fashion editors to worthy muesli munchers (they come in vegan-friendly materials too) has, at some point, owned a pair.

The summer of 2003 saw an outbreak of Birkenstock hysteria, with shoppers queueing round the block to buy a pair. Having no catwalk cue, no one was completely sure how the trend started, but, like Ugg boots after them, the epidemic was unstoppable.

The original unisex sandal, known as the Arizona, has two straps. Of the 20 styles now available, the one strap Madrid is the bestseller for women, and comes in 25 different colours.

It has spawned a thousand copies, none of which is, reputedly, half as comfortable as the quasi-medical German original.

Birkenstocks are still "cool", but the hysteria of a couple of summers ago has finished; this year, it seems, it's all about wearing espadrille wedge sandals or bejewelled flats.

Save 18% on Birkenstock Arizona today!

Article: Guardian