TH
4. THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SHOFASHION
THE UNIVERSITY THURSDAY,APRIL17,2003
Debating footwear and liberalism
Brandon Baker/Kansan
Stacey Robertson, Lawrence resident, models a pair of Birkenstocks at Footprints. Robertson, a 2002 KU graduate, says that despite popular opinion, most customers are not hippies due to the high cost of the popular sandals.
By Marissa Stephenson
mstephenson@kansan.com
Jayplay staff writer
Are you wearing a pair of Birkenstock sandals today?
If the answer is yes, do you consider yourself a liberal tree-hugging hippie?
"I agree that Birkenstocks definitely have a more liberal stereotype attached to them," said Janette Yost, Moundridge sophomore and four-year Birkenstockwearer. "I have to admit that the reason I bought them was to fit a stereotype — a more organic look."
Lisa Starr, Tonganoxie senior and a Birkenstock wearer since she was 13, said she could understand the stereotype.
"I think it kind of fits. All the people I know wearing Birks are hippies," Starr said.
When asked if she felt more liberal wearing her Birls, Starr responded with an enthusiastic, "Of course!"
But does the shoe's liberal branding always fit? Mark Goode, Littleton, Colo., senior and president of the KU Democrats didn't see a connection.
"In the 1960s, Birkenstocks were initially rejected from major stores in the United States. They were said to be an ugly shoe that women, the driving force in the shoe market, would never wear. The shoes finally found a market through health food stores, that, back then, were more hippieish." Ranney said.
"Birkenstocks? I really don't know much about them," he said. "I've never owned a pair."
Mic Ranney, store owner of Footprints, 339 Massachusetts, explained how the connection between Birks and hippies originated.
Goode also added that his organization did not endorse Birkenstocks as their shoe of choice.
Ranney says that all kinds of people are buying the shoes.
"Come in here on Saturday. It won't be a bunch of hippies, you'll see grandparents, college kids and moms, too."
Still, the stereotype lives on. Yost says she makes a connection between certain
"When I imagine a 30-something woman in Lawrence wearing a long flowing skirt and dangling earrings — I imagine her wearing Birkenstocks," Yost said.
clothing and Birkenstocks.
label. Adam Box, Houston, Texas sophomore, and now a three-year Birkenstock wearer, thinks exactly opposite.
Not everyone agrees with the hippie
"If anything, I think Birkenstocks are a contradiction to the hippie-life. Their defiance of hippie-hood — I just can't see hippies paying that much for sandals,"
In the 1960s, Birkenstocks were initially rejected from major stores in the United States. They were said to be an ugly shoe that women would never wear. The shoes finally found a market through health food stores, that, back then, were more hippie-ish.
Box said.
Kevin Yessian, Ontario, Canada, senior and five-year Birkenstock wearer, says for him, wearing Birkenstocks has nothing to do with image.
"The reason I'm wearing Birks now is because I got them brand new and free. When I was dog-sitting five years ago the dog ate my old sandals, so the owners bought me these Birks," Yessian said.
Others see a tie between their Birkenstock and politics. Emily Thomas, Wichita senior and six-year Birkenstock wearer, said her Birks would affect her vote.
"I voted for KUnited, and if I were wearing my Birks, I would feel a little uncomfortable doing that." Thomas said.
"It's like the 'a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle doesn't have to be a square' thing. Many hippies own a pair of Birks, but you don't have to own a pair to be a hipie." Thomas said.
And then there are some that couldn't care less about stereotypes - they just want to wear the shoes. Peter Granitz, Wauwatosa, Wis., sophomore is in that camp.
Thomas also explained her philosophy on the Birkenstock hippie stereotype.
"I think it's stupid. People who want to wear comfortable shoes, just let 'em," Granitz said. "And what stereotype? I mean, come on. My mom wears Birkenstocks."
—Edited by Anne Mantey
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