Where Shoes Take You

I had been searching for black platform sandals for a year now when I came across the pair pictured above on Birkenstock's website. For me these shoes were a gem in a mine - is that saying? - and I was so happy when I first slipped them on my feet: turns out more than clothing items can fit like a glove.

Unfortunately, they know longer have this exact color available on Birkenstock's website as far as I can tell, but they still have the same style in white and silver, among other platform and wedge styles.

The first time I wore these sandals I felt like a mature adult working in a high-end city as I walked around my small town wearing jean shorts and a blue and red striped graphic tee. But that is the power of these stylish and comfortable shoes: they make you feel modern and chic, but also like you are about to head for a day trip to the beach. In other words you can dress up or down or in between - it really doesn't matter! You can pick your own adventure with these shoes.

Although I brought with me several pairs of shoes on my 6-week trip to Europe, I definitely wore these shoes the most - and you can tell - the reason being that I didn't want to ever stop wearing them.

First of all, the straps are black and the platform is white so they are neutral enough to go with literally any outfit you can imagine. Additionally, they are extremely comfortable walking shoes that don't give you shin splints when you have to walk more than five miles: the perfect pair of shoes for traveling around Italy!

As I mentioned before these shoes can be paired with shorts and a t-shirt or with an elegant summer dress and that is why I ended up wearing them so much because they went with every outfit I wore and usually made that said outfit even better when they were added to the ensemble. Of course I had to restrain myself at times and wear the other shoes I brought with me, but if I had only brought these shoes with me, I would have been just fine:). EXCEPT when climbing towers, these shoes do not have a lot of friction so be careful!

Nonetheless, these sandals are my new favorite pair of shoes and I will be sad to put them away when the summer months end and I exchange them for my boots. Until then I plan to wear the best out of them and perhaps even purchase another shoe of similar style...