One of the greatest things about retirement, especially for women, is we no longer have to wear uncomfortable shoes. Or worry about a golf tan.
I tried hard to find work-appropriate footwear that didn’t torture my feet but mostly came up short. No stilettos for me. For some, those thin tapering towers are considered “power” shoes, but they just seemed ridiculous.
Not that I didn’t like expensive shoes. I threw a lot of money at fancy footwear. Ballet flats were chic but never supportive enough for me. Designer “comfort” heels were marginally better, but oh, they sure did look nice. I did that for a couple of years when I was trying to compete with the big girls before I said no more and switched to shoes with thick platform soles and fat rubber-like heels.
Toward the end, when I figured no one was looking anymore, I took to wearing my Birkenstock London’s with black tights and pleated skirts. Somehow, it worked. Or at least I thought it did!
These days I wear Hoka One One for sports and Birkenstock for pretty much everything else. I do have some beautiful low-heeled boots and will wear them with skinny jeans tucked in for winter wine tasting, as that seems to be the outfit of choice for such endeavors. Seriously, it’s like a uniform.
Birkies last practically forever, so it’s not like I needed new shoes, but dag, I saw the Kyoto and was smitten. I kept putting it off, and they’d be out of stock by the time I was ready to buy. When I found black in my size, I went for it.
I love this shoe. As it gets cooler, I think the new Birkies will look great with leggings or my favorite Headlands Hybrid Cargo Tight from Atheta. My winter staple. I have three pairs and now consider jeans dress attire.
It seems the Kyoto is a popular style. It comes in cool colors, but a lot of sizes are out of stock no matter where you shop – Birkenstock, Zappos, Amazon – all of the above. If I ever see Ochre in my size, resistance is futile.
May happy feet be with you.
Just like that. I ordered a pair. Nubuck.
I used to wear birkenstocks all the time, but haven’t in years. These could be my winter crocs. (Of which I just got a new pair of hot pink tye-dye ones.)
Wow, maybe I missed my calling as a sales rep for Birkenstock! I do love Crocs and am still disappointed my fuzzy pink ones got stunk up.
That style of Birk is new to me. I like them! Hmmm…I might see a pair like that in my future – I’m kinda “Birked” up at the moment. Like you, my footwear needs are so different now. Birks, Doc Martens, Skechers, rain boots…that about sums it up. I have a pair of strappy sandals, with a tiny kitten heel for the odd time I might need to be dressed up. Life is so much better when your feet are comfortable!
Deb
Ha — you had me at “Birked up.”
I’ve never forgotten that my face reflects the comfort level of my feet. Thank goodness that retirement allows more smiles and fewer grimaces as my feet respond to the Birks and Mephisto’s that are my go-to choices for footwear!
It’s such a simple thing, but what a difference it makes when you can wear shoes that feel good!
Hi, Donna – I haven’t worn Birkenstocks for years. To be honest, I now mostly wear hiking boots (yay, kinda everywhere, sorta all of the time). 😀
I smiled at your comment about jeans now being your dress attire. This is exactly the same for me as well. Otherwise its yoga pants (or yoga hiking pants –yup, they exist). 😀
I rather like the idea of wearing hiking boots everywhere. It suits my aesthetic. I will have to seek me some yoga hiking pants.
I wear birkenstocks all summer. I had not seen these and they look enticing….can imagine them with some thick wool socks. I am hooked on Athleta jogger pants particularly the Trekkie North joggers, of which I now own 4 pair. Also have some Amazon knock-offs which are pretty good and a lot cheaper.
I seriously think I haven’t worn jeans since Covid started.
I do think these Birks would look great with socks. Love those Trekkie North Joggers and am going to order a pair today. Thanks!!
I laughed at your skinny jeans with booties comment-yes, it is a definite look, but I actually do like it. I own something like 10 pair of booties, including one in leopard print, so I hope booties stay in style for some time to come!
Hmm, let’s see. . . I wear Skechers slip on walkers (4 pair, also one in leopard print 🤣), and their wedge sandals with that oh-so-comfortable top cushion layer. Love Franco Sarto shoes, mostly wedges per my closet, and derigour here down south, Rainbow flip flop sandals, which last virtually forever.
Come winter though, I’ll be happily wearing my higher boots with skinny jeans or leggings, plus oversized comfy sweaters.
I like skinny jeans tucked into boots as well, but I think it’s hilarious that so many of us consider it standard for visiting wineries. I don’t have any leggings, but I might have to splurge so I can wear them with the oversized comfy sweater!!
I’m an avid Birkenstock wearer for decades and still have my first pair of Arizonas.
Those Kyotos are beauties and once in a while I look at the colors, but still made no decision…
I can’t remember the last day when I wore my Kitten heelz. Nowadays it’s Nike sneakers, and if we get a serious winter, flat Chelsea boots or even Snow boots. But mostly it’s the Birks.
I like the Athleta Pants (Pockets!!!) and would order them in a heartbeat if they were available in Europe. Oversized sweaters are already in my closet.
Wow, I’m impressed you still have your first Arizona’s! I have a vision of you always looking ganz chic.
I wore the Kyotos yesterday with skinny pants, t-shirt and denim jacket. Looked great to me!
When I retired, little by little I sold off my wardrobe. I took arms ful of skirts, blouses,dresses, and all the high heels, to the local consignment store and bought more jeans, casual tops and sandals. I was able to get rid of the clothes pretty easily. But the shoes somehow tripped me up. I keep thinking I’d wear some of those beautiful shoes again (HA!) .So first the highest heels went, then the medium heels, then the kitten heels..I keep one or two pair of comfy black dressy sandals for when we USED TO go on cruises and dress a little at night.But haven’t cruised in over 3 years, time and probably never will,again. These days, I am still home way more than ever. Comfy sandals and flip flops take me through most of the year, here in Arizona.
I applaud you for taking action on your work attire. I’m still struggling with the clothes thing. Most of what’s up for being chopped has been dry cleaned and is waiting patiently in my closet for sentencing. I don’t have much left, but toward the end of my career, I felt like I had finally found my style and loved wearing those clothes. No one seems to dress that way anymore, so I suspect they won’t fly off the shelves if I donate or consign them. Most of the shoes are gone, but I still have two pairs I can’t bear to part with. I bet if I just wore them once, I’d get rid of them the next day! Funny how we get attached to what we wear.