Good snow day, Friday. I've got some kind of cold/flu like sitch and am just laying low after some lovely time with family and friends for a solid few weeks. This break has felt like such a luxury- and though spending the rest of it in bed is not what I had in mind, I'm cool with it. What else should one do in subzero temperatures and a foot of snow outside?
But besides snuggling up and settling in, I can't help but feel 2014 will be a year to try new things- everyone seems to be talking about a movement towards a mindful society, so it's no surprise some of our fashion and lifestyle choices are skewing more mind than matter these days. Take the humble Birkenstock- not a shoe typically associated with fashion. I remember saying as a young fashion fan that there were two things I would NEVER wear: Doc Martens or Birkenstocks. I'm not sure what I had against Doc Martens (I myself was more partial to a Paraboot as a young punk chick) but I do know what I had against a Birkenstock, and chances are, so do you. But then suddenly last summer, Phoebe Philo and Celine gave us a chic and luxurious take on the admittedly ugly footwear, and voila, a trend was born. Sure this was a high fashion launch, so give the rest of us a year or so to catch up, would you?
And just this past summer in Japan, I reported about my attempt to buy a white Birkenstock sandal, only to be turned away because the only ones available in my size were the sample- apparently not for sale in rule laden Tokyo. But back in our society, I'll be snapping up a pair of Birks wherever I can get them, and when new online retailer The Dreslyn (fab by the way, don't hate me) graced my inbox with their editorial on Birkenstocks, I realized I MUST own a pair.
That chick with the pin straight hair, v neck tee, slouchy pants and jacket and Birks? Oh yea. I'm all in for that. Am I exhibiting sheep like mentality by wanting a trend made big by Celine last year? Herd me, Phoebe Philo. I'll wear whatever you say. Plus with all of those white stuff on the ground, how can I not yearn for an open toe? I see these working beautifully (the grey suede in particular) with leggings and a long tee, a knee length dress or skirt and white men's shirt- very Japanese somehow, and adore the utilitarian vibe- bonus points for being comfortable as all get out. Maybe the mindful thing is setting in after all...function and fashion meet and the results are amazing. It's kind of like kale. Who even thought that would become such a trendy food- or even the stinky brussels sprout? Two foods that are really good for you but are not the sexiest thing in the entire world...but both are damn good for you so you better eat them if you want to live a mindful life.
So are Birkenstocks, and they're going to replace the flip flop and the ballet flat this summer, mark my words, or those of Garance Dore, who very sweetly writes about them and hopes her readers still love her after she pops them on- and with socks (major fashion no no, no more- everything sacrilege is chic). After all, haven't we all suffered the cruel and unusual pain of high heels for too long? I for one am ready for a little relief. It's been tough teetering around for all of these years. Are peace and love (or the footwear of said sentiment) the new black? I believe so. After all, they just legalized recreational pot in Colorado.Dress accordingly.
And regardless of whether I put these on my feet or not, you ain't ever going to see me in fleece. That's just something I can't do, and if you ever see me in it, call the cops and have them lock me up somewhere padded. That is, of course, until Phoebe Philo finds a way to make it not just warm and practical, but chic. PS- can't wait to see The Row's version. Here's Ashley Olsen rocking her originals below (and above in the double denim, also once a fashion crime), but I vote for a collaboration because you know that would be groovy.
And that's what's up this mindful Friday in the snow filled 718. Stay warm, kids. Yours, in mindful fashion. Namaste. XO