Sandal styles may come and go, but the humble Birkenstock is now so ingrained in our wardrobes that it transcends the fickle trend cycle. As a shoe that appeals to a seriously broad demographic, we can’t think of a better emblem of the everyday.
Birkenstock Arizonas were first released in 1973 and used to be exclusively sold in health-food stores; however, Marc Jacobs was arguably the first to publicly reposition the orthopaedic shoes as a fashionable choice when he included Arizonas in his controversial Perry Ellis show in 1992. Jacobs lost his creative director position, as critics were appalled by his unbothered, grunge aesthetic – however, he was certainly onto something with his Arizona styling.
Since then, the likes of Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Valentino and Manolo Blahnik have all collaborated with Birkenstock on cult collections over the years. 2026 saw Etro fuse Birkenstock’s iconic Boston clog with its signature paisley motifs and premium leather finishes at Milan Fashion Week to mark the 50th anniversary of the German-designed shoe, as well as a collaboration with breezy warm-weather line Staud, which featured updates of the Arizona and Madrid Big Buckle sandals with a woven raffia finish and gold hardware. Meanwhile, Danielle Frankel gave the Birkenstock an unexpected bridal twist, rendering them in white satin and decorating them with pearls, bows and chiffon blooms.
The sandals have become a constant presence in “celebrities running errands” photographs. But despite the supermodel and Hollywood endorsements, at the heart of it, they are a functional, practical shoe. Not only does the moulded footbed make them a podiatrist favourite, but they also have the Vogue editor seal of approval thanks to their minimalist but chunky design. They go with pretty much every summer outfit, from beach cover-ups to linen trouser suits – but jeans and Birkenstocks will always be a timeless double act.
As for specific pairings, you don’t need to get too formulaic about things – I would argue that any pair of Birkenstocks will go with any cut of jeans, whether you go for baggy, wide-leg, cropped or straight-leg styles. Keep scrolling for the Birkenstock and jeans combos that you can rely on for those days when you need a reliable, uncomplicated outfit.