KITH's Birkenstock drops have evolved beautifully over the past few years. What began as a few experiments in thematic pattern play and stylized resortwear has evolved into the best KITH x Birkenstock collaboration yet.
Yup, it's not even out yet but I'm already calling KITH's braided Birkenstock London sandal the best thing that the two have ever created. Sue me.
Ostensibly a textural update to the timeless Birkenstock clog, KITH's London collab effectively opens up the otherwise closed-toe shoe with a staggeringly cool woven upper. Simple as. That's all it takes when you're working off of a base as good as the Birkenstock London.
The KITH Birkenstock London comes in a couple flavors of beige or black and is also offered in winterized and ordinary iterations. That is, some of the sandals sport shearling-lined footbeds intended to make winter somewhat tolerable on the tootsies and others wear the classic cork insole indicative of a Birkenstock sandal.
Otherwise, we're dealing with pretty classic Birkenstock Londons, save for that excellent braided detailing.
It's a touch that recalls sophisticated summer shoes of the fisherman sandal and huarache variety (here I mean the woven leather slip-ons and not the wildly popular Nike sneakers), adding unusual visual flair to an understated slide rarely known for making a statement.
In otherwise, really good stuff here from KITH, as per yooj.
Birkenstock has long dabbled in winterized footwear but leave it to KITH to come up with a shoe as thoughtful as it is tasteful. True best of both worlds situation here, Hannah Montana style. If only they were actually attainable — like most shoes branded with KITH logos, expect the collaborative Birkenstock London shoes to race off the shelves come launch day.
Speaking of release dates, neither KITH nor founder Ronnie Fieg, who initially teased the shoes, confirmed the braided Birkenstocks' actual drop timing when revealing them but they'll be up for sale on December 1, matching the second offering from KITH's Winter 2023 collection.
What better time to buy new sandals than the beginning of winter?
