• Home
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • About
  • Contact

Gina Mama's
​I Love Birkenstocks
Blog Page

Birkenstocks & Men

7/25/2016

 
Why is there a controversy about men wearing Birkenstocks?  The stereotype of men being “effeminate” for wearing Birkenstocks is inaccurate.  While some men may chose to wear Birkenstocks as an accent to their feminine style, other men can wear the same shoes and present total masculinity.  I think a man who wears Birkenstocks exudes a sense of comfort, style, and total self-confidence.   That is a winning trifecta of awesomeness!!!
Men wear Birkenstocks for many of the same reasons that women chose to wear them.   Men like the style, the arch support, have wide feet, or have health issues that may require the support of a Birkenstock shoe.  

There are many styles of Birkenstock available and most can be considered unisex.  I wrote a blog about “Birkenstock Styles".  While certain models may be considered more feminine by some people, I believe that all models can be worn by any sex or gender.  There is such a wide array of colors available with Birkenstock uppers, that there is something to match everyone’s need.

The good news is that if one model of Birkenstock does not meet the needs of a man’s foot, another model can easily be selected.  While some men might prefer the Arizona or the Milano models, others might not be able to comfortably wear that style shoe.  For example, I have a friend who has bone spur on the top of his foot and the Arizona straps are painful for him because they go right over the spur.  In his case, another model, perhaps the Gizeh or Ramses, would be more appropriate.  Or guys who have hot feet might prefer the single strap Madrid because it allows the foot maximum breathability.

How a man styles his wardrobe while wearing Birkenstocks will determine how people interpret his appearance.  The same holds true for how a woman chooses to wear her Birkenstocks.  People can look sloppy in Birks while others can look fresh, clean, stylish or trendy.  Regardless of sex or gender, people can appear masculine or feminine when sporting Birkenstocks.  How you look in a pair of Birkenstocks all boils down to how you style the shoes.

It’s not about one model of Birkenstock being more feminine than another.  It is all about how a man chooses to wear that model shoe.  What color upper is the shoe?  What outfit is being paired with the shoe?  What other accessories are part of the total ensemble?  What is the personality of the Birkenstock wearer?  All this must be taken into consideration to determine how one presents his Birkenstocks to the world.  

I have seen all types of men wearing Birkenstocks around the Bay Area.  Just walking around downtown San Francisco makes me think of the song “Girls and Boys” by Blur.  The first line in the song is “Street's like a jungle” and that is how you might describe a stroll through the streets of San Francisco.  In the city, one may encounter all types of men wearing various models of Birkenstocks with just about any ensemble imaginable.    

It’s not just Bay Area men wearing Birkenstocks.  The trend has already spread through Europe and is growing across the US.  Even celebrity men like Leonardo Di Caprio, Usher, Ashton Kutcher, and Christian Bale, have been photographed wearing Birkenstocks. 

Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Ashton Kucher in Birkenstocks
Ashton Kutcher in Birkenstocks
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Usher wearing Birkenstocks
Usher wearing Birkenstocks
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Leonardo Di Caprio wearing Birkentocks
Leonardo Di Caprio wearing Birkenstocks
There is nothing “effeminate” about the man who won an Oscar for playing a 19th Century frontiersman that survived a bear attack.  And for goodness sake, Christian Bale played Batman.  BATMAN!  Batman radiates masculinity. 
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Christian Bale in Birkenstocks
Christian Bale photographed wearing Birkenstocks
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Christian Bale as Batman
Christian Bale as Batman. Batman radiates masculinity.
If a man wants to wear Birkenstocks and present a masculine front, that’s awesome.  If a man wants to wear Birkenstocks as a gesture of femininity, that’s great too.  It’s all good.  Men can wear the model of Birkenstock that best fits his foot and his style.  It’s all about how a man chooses to rock the Birk.  Wear what you want and be happy wearing it.  I am not going to judge a man for wearing Birkenstocks.  Rather, I am going to celebrate his choice of shoes.

It’s 2016 and these days we should not be limited by stereotypes.  Men can wear Birkenstocks.  Women can wear Birkenstocks.  Anybody and everybody can and should wear a pair of Birkenstocks.

I Love Birkenstocks....and some men love Birkenstocks too. 


Maryam
7/25/2016 09:33:44 am

It's the socks not the Birkenstocks. Don't wear them with socks.

birksboy
7/25/2016 10:48:00 am

just in the winter ;)

Gina Mama link
7/25/2016 11:20:29 am

Maryam, I think you bring up an interesting new blog topic. I will write about it. - Gina

birksboy
7/25/2016 09:44:28 am

Great article. I would also reference this article:

https://ironingboardcollective.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/birkenstock-the-rebuttal/

Gina Mama link
7/25/2016 11:21:27 am

I will have to read the article. Thanks for sharing the link.

Bill
7/25/2016 10:35:05 am

"trifecta of awesomeness!!!" I do so enjoy your posts Gina! Well done :)

birksboy
7/25/2016 10:50:58 am

I concur. I hope more men feel confident to wear Ramses, Gizeh, Mayari etc.

Gina Mama link
7/25/2016 11:22:07 am

Thanks Bill!


Comments are closed.

    Gina Mama

    Birkenstock blogger
    ​since 2016.

    Facebook Group
    Gina's Instagram
    I Love Birkenstocks, Birkenstock, Cracked Cork, Cork Renew, Black Ink Footbed, Yellow Ink Footbed, Metallic Birkenstocks, Birkenstock Boots, Birkenstock Shoes, Birkenstock Box, Birkenstock Recraft, Birkenstock Repair, Birkenstock Authentic, Fake Birkenstocks, Shearling Birkenstock, Knock Off Birkenstocks, Counterfeit Birkenstocks, soft footbed, I Love Birkenstocks, Birkenstock USA, breaking in Birkenstocks, Birkenstock uppers, Birkenstock Arizona, Birkenstock Boston, How to Break in Birkenstocks, Gizeh toe post, Men and Birkenstocks, Birkenstock Blisters, Narrow Width Birkenstocks Birkenstocks, Regular Width Birkenstocks, Wide Width Birkenstocks, Bespoke

    Blog List

    All
    Apocalypse Shoes
    "Appropriate" Athletic Shoes
    Arizona Straps Hurt Feet
    Bespoke Birkenstocks
    Big Buckle Gators
    Birkenstock Boots
    Birkenstock Building
    Birkenstock & Men
    Birkenstock: Original Footbed Vs Soft Footbed
    Birkenstock Quits Amazon In US
    Birkenstocks And Me
    Birkenstock Shearling Lined Shoes
    Birkenstock Shoes
    Birkenstocks: Stepping Into Your First Pair
    Birkenstock Styles
    Birkenstock & Tequila
    Birkenstock: Uppers
    Birkenstock USA Tour
    Blog Mentioned
    Bogus Birks
    Breaking-In Dr. Martens
    Chubby Shaming
    Cleaning Nubuck Uppers
    Color Change
    Cork Renew
    Cracked Cork
    Custom Made Birkenstocks
    Custom Pair
    Diva
    Do Better Birkenstock
    Duckfeet
    Dyeing Leather Birkenstocks
    Exquisite Leather
    Facebook Page Has Been Deleted
    FAQ
    Ferrari Of Shoes
    Gina Mama's Preference: Original Vs Soft Footbed
    Giving Thanks
    Gizeh Toe Post
    Glitterlites
    Guest Blog By Sandy The Birkenstock Lady
    Halloween
    Halloween 2018
    Halloween 2019
    Happy 1st Birthday
    Happy 2nd Birthday
    Harveys
    How Many
    How To Break-In Leather Birkenstock Straps
    How To Break-In Your Birkenstocks
    How To Care For Your Birkenstocks
    How To Change The Color Of Leather Birkenstocks
    How To Clean Birko Flor
    How To Clean White Sole Birkenstocks
    How To Fix Squeaky Leather Solovair Derby Boots
    I Got My Dad To Wear Birkenstocks - Finally!
    Intentionally Blank
    Knock-Off Birkenstocks
    Magic Of The Madrid
    My Birkenstock Buddy
    Narrow Minded U.S.
    New Facebook Group
    Non Scale Victory
    North Bay Fires
    Poshing My Birks
    Quality Control
    Quoted
    Recrafting
    Recrafts By Michelangelo
    Shearling Lined Birkenstocks Part 2
    Shiny Metallic Leather
    Social Media
    Socks & 'Stocks
    Spotting Fake Birkenstocks
    Spotting Fake Birkenstocks Part 2
    Spotting Fake Birkenstocks (Part 3)
    Spring 2017
    Spring/Summer 2019
    Support Small Business
    Tan Lines
    Taupe Suede Bostons: Most Boring Birks Ever
    The '90s: 'Stocks & Docs
    The Gift Of Gizeh - A Guest Blog
    Top 10 Addict
    Top 10 Birkenstock Mistakes
    Top 10 Tips For New Birkenstock Wearers
    Traveling With Birkenstocks
    Trekking Up Mt Tam In Birkenstocks
    Valentine's Day
    Vintage Birks Recrafted
    Wearing Birkenstocks Does Not Make Me A Hippie!
    White Sole Birkenstocks
    Why Did You Stop Wearing Birkenstocks?
    Young & Old
    You Should Try

    Archives

    October 2022
    August 2022
    December 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    October 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    RSS Feed

Picture

    Newsletter Sign Up

    Sign Up for Poshmark with my
    invite code GINAMAMABIRKS
    and earn $5 off your first order!!!

Subscribe

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • About
  • Contact