When Birkenstocks were called chic by Eva Chen back in 2014, the dark ages of constrictive heels ended and the Ugly Shoe Era began. The acceptance of comfort footwear is arguably the best thing to happen to women since we started wearing pants, and we will forever be grateful. Four inch stilettos? No, thank you. Please direct me to the bulbous styles loved by my grandma. From dad sneakers to flip flops beloved by Danes, many orthopedics shoes are au courant, but Tevas are rarely mentioned.
No one wants to claim Teva's as "in," and they are still the pair of shoes everyone makes fun of. But the jokes on then because my podiatrist and I are very happy. Tevas are cool. Because bunions are not.
If you still disagree, allow me to change your mind: The squishy cushion is like a foot massage in every step. They aesthetically match trendy fleece sweaters, and most importantly, they encourage you to explore the great outdoors because hiking is so hot right now. If someone asks why you're wearing weird sandals to Sunday brunch, hit them with Teva's wacky origin story: Founded in 1984, a geophysicist working as a rafting guide didn't want his flip flops to float off in the Colorado River, so he strapped velcro watchbands around his feet. That is some grade-A, crunchy granola material worthy of a Free Solo sequel.
High-end designers like Alberta Ferretti and Loewe made their own campy versions of the hiking sandal, and now Outdoor Voices is getting in on the action.
Along with their second swim collection, H2OV, the brand has released two color-blocked sandals that reinterpret Teva's iconic Hurricane silhouette. The pastel cuties will look as good at the beach as they will in the city (just envision them with your favorite sundress). We plan to wear them all summer long, which you can do, because they are that comfortable. Trust us, your feet will thank you.
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.