How an orthopaedic clog became fashion's unlikely underdog

Photography Paul KooikerFashionHow an orthopaedic clog became fashion’s unlikely underdogAs Birkenstock’s Boston clog turns 50, we take a look back on how it became one of the defining shoes of the 2020sShareLink copied ✔️November 2, 2026November 2, 2026Text Isobel Van Dyke Quirky footwear has been all the rage in recent years. On runways, we’ve seen some mindblowing abominations (in the best way) – from see-through dress shoes at Saint Laurent, to Chanel’s barefoot sandals. There’s been a downpour of Tabi offspring, plus the controversial, toe-hugging FiveFinger styles. More recently, high-heeled trainers are becoming increasingly popular (as we reported last week). But we can’t help but question the practicality of some of these styles. While Margaret Qualley made a fashion statement wearing her Chanel heel-caps on the red carpet, the rest of her foot was left bare and exposed, as she wandered the dirty streets of London no less. Some shoes are designed to prioritise comfort, some are designed to be noticed. The third category is the rarest: shoes originally designed for foot health that accidentally became a timeless, cult footwear staple. This is the case for Birkenstock’s Bost...