One-Dollar Wonders

Debuting the Birkenstock look

March 26, 2014

I hemmed and hawed about these sandals, trying to decide if they were a real "need." Well, turns out a chunky, heavy, weighty sandal helps me feel balanced when wearing my leather jackets with skirts and lighter-weight bottoms. Fells summery without feeling top heavy. Total need after all. ;)

I feel a tiny bit like I fell out of a Helmut Lang catalog today, but I like the outfit anyway. Ironically, I still don't own any Helmut Lang...

Veda "Boss" leather jacket - Rack
J. Crew tank - $1 at flea market
Forever 21 (Helmut knockoff) twist skirt - $15 at F21
Gentle Souls "Jahzara" platform buckle sandals - Nordies
Not pictured: B. Makowsky snake satchel - Ebay

Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

42 Comments

  • cciele replied 10 years ago

    This totally works, Rae! Now you've got me reconsidering the Birkie look... hmm. And lol about the Helmut Lang! Definitely has that look.

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    Love your Birkie look alikes!  You look comfy and stylish.  I also find that chunkier shoes balance out my wide hips....so there are pluses to chunky shoes.  

  • annagybe replied 10 years ago

    Wow!

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    I was not a fan of Birkenstock trend but suprisingly I love those on you. I think you just make them cool!;-)

  • Debora replied 10 years ago

    Perfect proportions! You are ahead of the curve, Rae, and I love everything about this. Thanks for showing us how it's done. :)

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    That's how to make an item fresh and new!  Well done, Rae!

  • Echo replied 10 years ago

    Love this look, and you are so right that the chunky sandals really do provide a counter balance to the jacket. Perfect!

  • Vicki replied 10 years ago

    You were MADE for these, Rae, and I truly think Helmut Lang would be happy to have you in his catalog, no matter what you're wearing.

    Love the outfit!!

    P. S. Can't wait to see you this weekend.

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I think this is a great outfit and can understand needing a chunky sandal to ground your summer looks.  I have a poison eye towards birks though, so I can't comment on these particular shoes.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    ADORE! I wish I could justify Birks...

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    Sara and I are on the same page, but I agree, you look totally terrific in this!

  • Angela K replied 10 years ago

    Love the outfit and the shoes. These seem "dressier" to my eye than Birks, so I think they will be more versatile but still very on trend. :)

  • cheryl replied 10 years ago

    You look amazing!

  • MsLuna replied 10 years ago

    Rae, I really like them with this outfit! Instead of looking too "granola", they look quite polished yet edgy for this outfit!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Yes! Birks as they ought to be!

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    I love the hem of the skirt with the sandal. I believe you're right this shoe works well with the over all look -- makes a powerful statement. Love!

  • Marmee replied 10 years ago

    Great look!  Love those birkalikes!

  • rabbit replied 10 years ago

    That skirt is a great shape on you, and something about the rounded toes of the shoes and your rounded haircut just echo each other very well (as well as balancing the jacket which you mentioned).  Actually the angle of the skirt cut mirrors your bang sweep too.   Great outfit on you!!

  • Debra replied 10 years ago

    Love this look Rae......super cool :) I think these sandals are going on my next summers list of must haves :)

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Great look and I really like the Birk style sandals. We have that skirt in our Target at the moment. I find it fascinating which high end styles make it through to the 'mainstream'. It looks really nice on you.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Now I am not sure why I don't like birks o_O. You make them look so cool! Brilliant outfit!

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    You are rockin' the Birkie look like no other! You've made a Birkie convert out of me :)

  • replied 10 years ago

    Looks great, Rae!

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Rae - you are such a master of proportion, it's stunning!!  You always get it just right!!  The skirt is fab on you.  I always keep an eye on HL but I can't pull that off.  Fabulolous!!  Love the GS birks with the jacket - okay just the whole divine rae look!!  You hit it out of the park, girl!!

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    you have totally made the birkies fashionable!

  • viva replied 10 years ago

    Love the look -- and that jacket is divine.

  • Claudia replied 10 years ago

    Looks great!

  • Ledonna N. replied 10 years ago

    I like the shoes on you. You make them look hip.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    You are wearing this trend with tremendous panache Rae - looks absolutely FANTASTIC!

  • Catnip replied 10 years ago

    You're right.  These shoes add balance.  You look terrific!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Thumbs up. You nailed the look. xo

  • MuseumGal replied 10 years ago

    well color me surprised - i would have thought those kinds of shoes would totally overwhelm you, but the ensemble looks all kinds of fab

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Aw, thank you for the validation that this works! I didn't think there would be so many replies. Excited to wear these again to modernize some jeggings. :)

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Wow, I haven't thought of it's power to balance some heavy toppers, but it totally works, you quite nailed it, Rae, so fab!

  • rebekahphoto replied 10 years ago

    what a great & stylish outfit! you look very comfortable and cool. the angled hem & little leg show is great! 

    I have tried Birks on and off over the years, but they never seemed to work quite right for my feet, & the granola styling was not really for me. A couple of years ago I did get some silver Gizehs & my feet have become fussy enough that now they work pretty well for summer sandals!

    Last week I ordered some black patent Kairos (from Amazon for cheap) & like the high contrast. I also pulled another chunky 2 strap pair out (from the ebay pile) that are very similar to yours (from Ziera/Kumfs) that I plan to try.
    I hope I can make it as stylish as you! 

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    I love it!

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    Fabulous!  Love the look and the comfort.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    I like this, the pairing with "futuristic" items - the asymmetrical, pointed hem skirt, etc.

    But I am having heart-palpitations over all these Birks. I do have a visceral, knee-jerk reaction against them. Because before the zombie apocalypse, there was the smelly-hippie apocalypse...

  • Kiwichik replied 10 years ago

    Whilst I wouldn't sport the Birkenstock look, on you they really work and you're right they ground this look.

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    I am having a hard time getting over your fab skirt (F21? No way!) to see the new shoes ;)

  • Raisin replied 10 years ago

    Never thought Birkenstock's could look so good!

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    This is so stunning, I love it!

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I'm just your average working stiff who loves nice things and hates to pay for them. This blog outlines my efforts to navigate that treacherous shopping/saving divide through swappin', thriftin', and even a little resellin'. Many of the pieces in my wardrobe cost me just $1! We've heard a lot about people "living above their means" in recent years; I'm championing the concept of living large *below* your means - whatever that means for you. :)