Few sandals are as ubiquitous as Birkenstocks. Every fashion person, backpacker and dad who values practicality more than life itself has a pair, and its plain to see why. They are, in our humble opinion, the greatest sandals to have graced god’s green earth. What once started out as an ‘ugly’ sandal has transformed into a fashion-pack favourite, and the question you should be asking yourself is not ‘should I buy Birkenstocks’ but rather ‘which Birkenstocks should I buy?’
From the classic Two Strap Arizonas that will see you through every single summer for the foreseeable, to the trendy Boston Clogs that shook every fashion person to the core, there’s no shortage of excellent styles to shop. If this month’s Instagram feeds are anything to go by, Birkenstocks are already this summer’s biggest sandal trend, and countless celebs, to include Sienna Miller, Kendall Jenner and Katie Holmes have given Birkenstocks their seal of approval.
But with great choice, comes great confusion, which is why we’ve consulted the fashion team on the styles they can’t stop wearing.
Julia Harvey, Shopping Editor
Birkenstock Arizonas in White
‘I do love a Birkenstock Boston clog (ideally suede) but for summer, you can’t beat the classic Arizona two strap. As soon as May arrives, the Birks are on and rest assured my tootsies will be out right up until October. The beauty of a white Birkenstock is they literally go with anything in your wardrobe, from holiday crochet and summer dresses to smart trousers and shirts or even tracksuits – these will always work.’
Natalie Hammond, Senior Fashion News Editor
Birkenstock Arizonas in Black
‘If I could only wear one pair of sandals for the rest of my life, it would be Birkenstock’s Arizona, a big claim but one, I believe, that is backed up by the fact that you can literally style these low-maintenance babies with anything (bikinis, sundresses, tailoring, you name it).’
Marina Avraam, Deputy Commerce Editor
Birkenstock Mayari in Black
‘As much as I’ve always loved the Birkenstock vibe, I’d always struggled with chunky sandals due to my tiny size 3 feet. Any time I slipped into a pair of Arizonas it looked like I was playing dress up in my dad’s closet, which resulted in me steering clear for the longest time – but then something changed. Enter: The Birkenstock Mayaris. As soon as made eye contact with the Mayaris, I knew we’d be friends. The slightly chicer toe-loop strap lends itself well to those with smaller feet, as well as those who don’t want to lean into the fully ‘hippy’ vibe of the Arizonas. I’ve had my Mayaris for four years – and counting – and wore them for one month every single day on my trip to Mexico. Their current condition? Still perfect.
Gemma Lavers, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Birkenstock Boston Suede Clogs In Blue
‘Controversially, I love the way Birkenstock clogs look on, and when I saw these blue ones come up on my TikTok FYP I knew what I had to do. Unlike some Birkenstocks that require the need to be worn-in, these are great straight from unboxing. I (bravely) decided the first time I’d wear my clogs would be on holiday, on a day where I walked 20,000+ steps, and they held up. Most importantly – so did my feet.’
What are the most popular Birkenstock styles this season?
This season, the classic Arizona two-strap sandal remains a firm favourite, loved for its timeless design and unmatched comfort. However, newer styles are making waves too. The Gizeh, with its elegant thong strap, is perfect for those seeking a more refined look. The Madrid, a single-strap sandal, offers minimalist charm ideal for both casual and slightly dressier occasions. For a bolder statement, the chunky-soled Milano or the edgy Boston clog are gaining popularity, especially in vibrant colors and unique finishes.
Shop: More popular Birkenstock styles
For a slightly elevated version of a slider, opt for the Madrids; a single-strap silhouette you can easily slip on and off come summertime.
An elevated thong flip flop, if you will, the Gizeh silhouette effortlessly blends comfort with chic minimalism.
If you’re a fan of a chunky dad sandal, look no further than the ever popular Cannes style, made from premium leather and complete with gold buckles.
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.