Earlier this month we dedicated an entire post to the sporty sandal trend. This trend has been picking up steam for a few seasons now, and though nearly every contemporary and luxury designer is producing some sort of sporty sandal, let’s not forget that the originals—think Birkenstock and Teva have been around for decades.
Birkenstocks have always been my go-to for comfort. In fact, when I began struggling with foot problems as a teen my doctor recommended them. I’ve been wearing them for over 15 years, and while they’ve gone through periods in the past of trending, the popularity of them now is impossible to ignore.
The uptick in this trend can be traced back to a couple of years ago, when the ‘dad sandal’ trend began picking up steam, making its appearance on runways and eventually on the feet of fashion girls around the globe. One of the most coveted pairs, and truthfully the pair I had in mind when I wrote my original piece on sporty sandals, is the Chanel Velcro Platform Sandal. I have to be honest—I cannot stop thinking about them.
Chanel first released a version of the chunky sandal on its spring 2016 runway, and while I’ve known of their uber-trendy existence, I’ve paid the shoes no mind. I had (and have) not ever splurged on a pair of designer shoes. I’ve always kept my big purchases to bags and occasionally accessories, and though I have a laundry list of designer goodies I’d adorn my feet with if my funds were unlimited, it’s very rare that I actually consider splurging on a pair of shoes. Until now.
I never imagined that my first Chanel purchase would be a pair of sandals that cost more than half of my New York City rent, but I have to be honest, I cannot stop thinking about them. Love them or hate them (really there’s no in between), you cannot deny the comfort level of a sandal like this, and personally the use I would get out of them is enough for me to consider pulling the trigger.
I turned 30 in May and have yet to buy myself something to commemorate this milestone in my life. I have a few things in mind, but overwhelmingly I keep coming back to these sandals. They sit on my mood board, pop up on my social media feeds and come to mind when I’m putting together an outfit for the day. Though they’re offered in a few different varieties I’m largely attracted to the dark denim pair. They seem to be mostly sold out, but I’ve already contacted an advisor at Chanel as well as a personal shopper to try to find them. Additionally, there are a lot selling via the secondary market. Shop now via Vestiaire Collective.
What are your thoughts on a mega-splurge like this one? Would you wear these sandals?
To each their own is my only comment on these over $1,000 sandals.
Screams Fashion Victim. I wouldn’t buy or wear these if they were $12.00 never mind $1200. Friggin’ hideous shoes.
Screams Fashion Victim. I wouldn’t buy or wear these if they were $12.00 never mind $1200. Friggin’ hideous shoes.
Wait. That’s for real?
Um, no. Just no.
No, they look like orthopedic shoes.
IMO, Buy what you love so long as you aren’t disappointed if you cannot actually hike in them. I personally prefer the look of the birkenstock Milano to the chanel, and I am someone who also buys chanel shoes such as the espadrille and ballet flat at full price (I wait fro other styles to go on sale, but I understood that’s not an option here). I do buy official collaborations like the valentino andthe Rick Owens Arizona, but they are not as functional or comfy. However I did buy a pair of plastic CC spa sandals from the first spa collection in 2001 from the boutique, their counterpart would be the birkenstock Zurich, anD they are so comfy I still have them. IMO the calculus is price per wear versus a sizable portion of some other coveted purchase like a bag.
Very insightful commentary! Agree it does come down to the price per wear and I think I would get a ton of use out of these truly. I would never splurge on a ballet or a heel simply because I wouldn’t wear them very often enough to justify it. I get the look of these is not for everyone—same with Birkenstocks or other sport like sandals but I happen to like the look.
knowing you and your style I think you’ll def wear them, and even if you do get sick of them Chanel has pretty good resale. You prob wont get all your money back but you’ll probably get some!
My Birks and Tevas have stood the test of time and LOTS of wear–will these? That’s all I’m saying.
Valid point and yes I only just had to get rid of one of my first pairs of Birks last year—over 10 years of wear!
Would a collaboration pair of birks fit the same desire as these?
Absolutely—I considered the Proenza Birkenstock collab this season as well!
It looks like the shoe you wear when you have foot surgery! :o)
LOL I can’t say you’re wrong as I’ve had foot surgery 3 times!
NEVER. They make the feet look like Fred Flintstone.
i bought the pastel pink color in the fully rubber since february in signapore. they come in more colors and earlier in stores for warmer countries. they are the most comfy sandals! i love the adjustable straps so you can open up mid day if your feet swell from the heat. btw the rubber styles are more comfy and fit larger than the leather or denim styles. if you like chanel and practicality, then these are worth it.
Thank you for the insight! Nice to hear from someone who has a pair. I’m trying to track down a pair in my size, 39.5, which is harder than I thought it would be!
Admittedly I am also obsessed with the Chanel sandals, I would think about getting something more timeless to commemorate a milestone birthday.
Yeah, no on these. I wouldn’t pay $12.00 either.
That polish on picture one. With $1000 shoes?! Pedicure stat!
What bothers me is not the shoes… But the fact that the ladies wearing them seem to have the wrong size, every time I see a picture! It’s a shoe, not a tee or pants, you’re not supposed to wear them oversized! I tried them on last year, find them uncomfortable in the right size (meaning there was no place to park a car between the end of my toes and the tip of the insole), stiff as hell!