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Birkenstock sandals are having a major moment this summer, and it’s not just your grandma rocking them.
What once was considered the ultimate in frumpy footwear has been re-appropriated as a fashionable staple for comfy outfits.
But you might be wondering whether they’ll help you look like a stylish or frumpy mom. And what should you wear with Birkenstocks? Should you wear them with socks or barefoot? Plus what summer outfits go best with Birkenstocks?
Whether you’re looking for some fashion inspiration or are wondering if it is appropriate to wear Birks outside of the house, we’ve got all the answers right here!
Keep reading to find out WHAT to wear with Birkenstocks and HOW to style them!
Wondering what Birkenstock sandals are? Birkenstocks are a type of sandal that have become more popular in recent years. Birkenstock is the original German brand & company who invented them, but they’re now so common and well-loved that there are many brands out there making their own versions. What distinguishes birks from other types of shoes is the way your foot sits inside it. It’s a cork footbed which has an arch support and contours to your foot, making them especially comfortable sandals.
Are Birkenstocks in Style? Or frumpy? 
If you take a step back (no pun intended) and just look at the sandal’s design without any preconceptions, it really is a pair of chunky sandals that aren’t very flattering.
BUT.
What Birks have going for them? #1 – they are very comfortable shoes and #2 – they are very trendy right now.
And that’s a big deal for moms!
We need comfy sandals that we can slide on easily (pregnant mamas love them).
And many of us also love to get some trendy pieces each year to feel on-point with popular styles.
So if YOU want to enjoy the exceptional comfort + trendiness of this style of sandal, let me give some tips on how to wear them so that they look cute and fashionable instead of frumpy.
NOTE: If you think this is an ugly shoe and just CAN’T get yourself to like this style then SKIP IT! You should only get trends that you will enjoy wearing. But then, maybe this post will change your mind about them!
What to Wear with Birkenstocks
So what looks good with this style of slide sandal? Here are some tips on how to look cute in Birkenstocks.
Tip #1 – Instead of getting the traditional drab leather color, go for a pair in metallic, white, black, or other fun color (or animal print!)
Part of the unattractiveness of Birks is the drabness of the most popular style: drab leather on leather.
While you can certainly still dress these up to look cute, it will take a bit more work.
Just getting them in a different color/material can help infuse some of your personal style and make them lift rather than drag down your outfit.
You can also get them in a style other than the typical 2-strap + buckle (Arizona style).
Check out these cute ones!
Below are some fun options straight from Amazon! If you aren’t ready to pull the trigger on Birks yet, I suggest you stick one or a few in the “save for later” section of your cart. Then you can easily keep an eye on the price to see if it drops at all!
Tip #2 – Paint your toes!
To make your feet look a bit more feminine in these heavy sandals, make sure to add some polish to your toes!
This is easy to do—and thankfully polish lasts for weeks on our toes without needing a touch-up.
The classic look of the two strap/buckle combo makes it a safe choice but also the style we remember being so popular in the 90s. If you want to “update” them, make sure to get them in a fun, trendier color!
Tip #3 – Wear clothes that fit you well and are cute on their own
Because Birkenstock shoes are a bit clunky, you want to avoid shapeless clothes when you wear them.
Instead, wear them with cute shorts, a cute skirt (avoid maxi length), or a cute summer dress.
I said “cute” a lot in that sentence… on purpose! You want to wear your more stylish and well-fitting pieces to balance the heaviness of this style.
Check out this post for some tips on dressing cute in hot summer weather.
You want Birks to look like they are a part of your stylish outfit, not an afterthought on a frumpy-feeling day.
Unless you’re having a low-key, lounging day on purpose—Birks are perfect for that. 😉
Here are some examples of what to wear with a pair of Birkenstocks…
You can’t go wrong with a good pair of blue jeans and some metallic Birkenstocks! I wore a long silver pendant necklace to coordinate with my silver “Mayari” Birks.
A pair of bright color shorts make the white tee & birkenstocks pop!
These “Gizeh” Birkenstock shoes were my first pair and combined with leggings and ballcap make this fun sporty look!
Don’t underestimate the simple look of a pair of denim shorts, trendy t-shirt, and Birks. In this outfit you’ve got those dog days of summer beat!
I love this outfit!😍 This is a such a fun, trendy way to dress up this pair of iconic footwear.
Do you need some more summer outfit inspiration?
How to Wear Linen Shorts: Style Tips + Outfit Ideas
How to Dress for Hot Weather: Summer Styling Tips & Outfit Ideas
How to Wear Color Shorts: Styling Tips & Outfits
Tip #4 – Try different outfit combos and find your favorites
Birks are basically a type of slide sandal. And there are SO many cute ways to wear slide sandals… in fact slide sandals are one of the pieces in our style guide for moms!
Here are 3 cute outfit combos taken from our Year-Round Outfit Guide for Moms, using slide sandals.
Birkenstocks will look CUTE with these combos!
Outfit Idea #1: Basic White Tee + Print Skirt + Slide Sandals (or Birks)
This is such a cute and feminine summer look!
Outfit Idea #2: Graphic Tee + Print Shorts + Slide Sandals (or Birks)
Remember how I recommended adding feminine touches… well you can also go the sporty way with a cute baseball cap.
Outfit Idea #3: White Tank + Kimono + Skinny Jeans + Slide Sandals (or Birks)
This is one of my favorite looks! Another great option would be to swap the top and bottom colors and go with white jeans and a color tank!
Want dozens more outfit ideas and links to all the items?
Check out our popular Year-Round Outfit Guide for Moms! It’s like a recipe book for stylish, mom-friendly outfits.
“Do Birkenstocks look good with dresses or skirts?”
They can… but it depends on the style!
Like I recommended in Tip #3 above, wear Birks with feminine dresses that fit you well. Sporty styles also work!
Birkenstock-style sandals will look best with the following dress lengths:
- mini
- knee-length
- midi
IF you wear birks with maxi length, think about adding stylish touches to your look with a pretty headband or a feminine necklace/bracelet/earrings.
“Should I wear Birkenstocks with socks?”
Yes I know, it’s a “hot trend” right now. But I’m going to be your friend and tell you NO on this one.
Socks and sandals are just a big no across the board if you’re trying to avoid looking frumpy.
In general, socks shouldn’t be seen, or barely seen, even when wearing closed toed shoes like sneakers. (That’s where no-show socks are your friend! Just look on Amazon… there are really comfy ones!)
So let’s just agree to let this trend be a trend that dies without tainting us… no matter how many days of the week your teen parades around in a pair of knee high black socks and the classic “Arizona” sandals. 😂
“What are Some Affordable Alternatives to Birkenstocks?”
Original Birks are around $140… a pretty penny for sandals. But there are knock-offs that can be just as cute, and almost as comfy as the originals.
The “Birks” Corina bought are a similar brand called MUK LUKS® and were discounted to $20 on Jane.com.
Here are some additional picks that are much cheaper than the original Birkenstocks.
When it comes to Birkenstocks, you can either look like an old hippie or a trendy mama.
If you want to try them for yourself, go ahead and rock those sandals with confidence! They are comfy and will make you feel on-trend.
But don’t forget that there’s more than one way to wear them- check out our Year Round Outfit Guide for Moms for some easy ways on how to style anything this season.
Check out the Year-Round Outfit Guide for Moms for DOZENS of ways to style slide sandals in summer
What’s YOUR opinion on Birkenstocks? Are you loving this trend or not digging it? Give them a thumbs up or down in the comments!
Did you find this jumpstart your ideas on what to wear with Birkenstocks?
