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Seattle's spot on the fashion map for the last twenty years wasn't a pretty one; it consisted mostly of cargo shorts, flannel shirts, fleece jackets, and sock-ed sandals (see: PEMCO's insurance ads). Recently, TLC's "What Not to Wear" has taken an especially close look at Seattle; it seems every time you watch, they're breaking down another Emerald City resident for their weather-appropriate wardrobe. The facts are facts, though; it rains a lot here, it's kind of chilly, and the weather is pretty fickle. Throwing on layers like flannel shirts and fleeces and pairing them with shorts kind of makes sense, and it can be done fashionably if you try hard enough. One style violation, though, really must end: the Seattle Birkenstock.
Birkenstocks are those German orthopedic shoes you see walking around nearly everywhere in the Pacific Northwest. They're often worn with big wool socks (a la the PEMCO ad) and, frankly, they're not really pretty. Lucky for Seattle, there are alternatives to the classic sandal, and they're not quite as... homely.
Birkenstock itself makes some not-so-ugly shoes; steer clear of classics like the Arizona and you can actually find a few gems. Note the Bali: an ankle strap, some fine criss-crossed weaving in the front. "Why, that shoe's basically just a gladiator toned down," you might say. And you'd be right. But it's a lot prettier than the Arizona, and it still gives you the molded footbed you loved so much in its uglier older sister.
Desire something a little less complicated? Check out the Gizeh. It's a flipflop, sure, but it's anything but basic. The swooping curves and t-strap-esque cut makes it a much more stylish sandal than the classic Birk. Some styles in the Gizeh come with embellishment, others have bright colors or are a little more restrained, but classic nonetheless.
To really up your style quotient, try the Kairo. Again, it's basically a gladiator, but it has that footbed you crave. Braided strap? Ankle support? Teeny-tiny embellishment? Done and done.
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