Origins

The Birkenstock Boston, a closed-toe clog from the 1970s, became an unlikely fashion phenomenon starting in fall 2020. What began as pandemic comfort footwear evolved into a fashion staple endorsed by celebrities and fashion editors alike.

Design

Classic Boston features:

• Closed-toe clog silhouette
• Adjustable strap buckle
• Cork footbed (signature Birkenstock support)
• Suede, leather, or shearling lining
• Chunky, orthopedic aesthetic

Popular materials:

• Taupe suede (most iconic, sold out for months)
• Black suede
• Tobacco oiled leather
• Shearling-lined (winter version)

Pandemic Origins

2020: Birkenstock Bostons surged as:

• Comfort priority: Work-from-home footwear
• Slipper alternative: More structured than house slippers, outdoor-appropriate
• Easy on/off: Backless convenience for pandemic errands

Initial wearers: Remote workers, parents, comfort-seekers

Fashion Crossover

2021-2022: Bostons transitioned from “pandemic shoe” to “fashion shoe”:

• Fashion editors styled with trench coats, tailored pants
• Influencers paired with baggy jeans, oversized blazers
• Runway appearances (The Row, Jil Sander aesthetics)

The “ugly-chic” orthopedic look became aspirational.

Celebrity Adoption

• Kendall Jenner: Taupe Bostons street style (2021, repeatedly)
• Gwyneth Paltrow: Goop endorsement, shearling Bostons
• Dakota Johnson: Off-duty Boston styling
• Steve Jobs cosplay: Tech workers ironically embracing Boston + dad jeans aesthetic

Waitlist Phenomenon

2021-2022: Taupe suede Bostons impossible to find

• Birkenstock.com waitlists of 20,000+
• Resale prices $250-$400 (retail $155)
• Amazon, Zappos, Nordstrom sold out for months
• “Birkenstock Boston dupe” searches spiked 500%+

Styling

Fashion-forward combinations:

• Bostons + socks (crew socks, very Gen Z)
• Bostons + wide-leg trousers + blazer (elevated casual)
• Bostons + maxi skirt (boho-chic)
• Bostons + baggy jeans + trench coat (model off-duty)

Sock debate:

• Thick wool socks (cozy, practical)
• No socks (purist approach, “how they’re meant to be worn”)
• Sheer socks (compromise, hygienic)

Cultural Context

Bostons fit into broader 2020-2022 trends:

• Comfort fashion: Athleisure, cozy pieces post-pandemic
• Ugly-chic: Crocs, Uggs, orthopedic shoes as fashion
• Normcore: Uncool things becoming cool (ironic vs earnest unclear)
• Quiet luxury: Understated, functional, timeless

Criticisms

• Overpriced: $155+ for “ugly clogs”
• Uncomfortable break-in: Cork footbed takes weeks to mold
• Divisive aesthetics: “Love them or hate them, no in-between”
• Hype-driven: “Only cool because influencers wore them”

Economic Impact

Birkenstock sales:

• Boston clog sales increased 500%+ (2020-2022 vs 2018-2019)
• Company IPO (October 2023, $8.6B valuation) attributed partly to Boston/Arizona trends
• Expanded Boston colorways, materials (vegan, shearling, oiled leather)

Evolution

By 2023:

• Birkenstock Arizonas (two-strap sandal) also trendy
• JW Anderson x Birkenstock collaboration (2023, sold out instantly)
• Boston knockoffs: Target, Amazon, Steve Madden dupes

Related Trends

• Platform Uggs (2021): Cozy, controversial footwear
• Crocs (2020-2022): Ugly-chic pandemic shoe
• Adidas Sambas (2022): Replaced Bostons as “it” shoe
• Chunky loafers (2022): Formal alternative

Sources

• Birkenstock sales data (2020-2022)
• Vogue - “The Birkenstock Boston Is the Shoe of the Moment” (October 2021)
• StockX resale data (2021-2022)
• Birkenstock IPO prospectus (October 2023)