Kamala Harris arrives in Milwaukee for meetings this afternoon in her black hightop Chuck Taylor Converse LIKE A BOSS. pic.twitter.com/auSGfTYkso
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) September 7, 2020
As we gear up for Election Day November 3rd many of the candidates are getting out as much as possible to reach their constituents. Yesterday, Joe Biden played Despacito on his phone for his remarks on Hispanic Heritage Month in Kissimmee, Florida. But the nominee who is being noted for her fresh urban style on the campaign trail is Kamala Harris.
Kamala has been spotted rocking tan Timberlands and black high-top Converse All Stars while campaigning. She keeps it professional on the top, but her shoes say “party” down below. Timberlands and Converse have been staples in urban fashion for decades and Kamala wearing them just makes them and her that much cooler.
New GIF Alert 🚨
Kamala Harris rockin the Timberlands: pic.twitter.com/V8RlyhbNWv— Chris Strider (@stridinstrider) September 15, 2020
On another note, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is bringing Birkenstocks back. Alexandria was spotted shopping in an all-black outfit that included a black bomber jacket, t-shirt and skinny jeans coupled with cream colored Birkenstock thong sandals. I have begrudgingly put a pair of Birkenstocks in my Amazon cart because I have been told by podiatrists they are great shoes for people with fallen arches like me. But why can’t comfort and ergonomics be cute or sexy? Why do they have to be so fugly? I guess if you are into the hippie Berkeley style aesthetic they are the shoes for you. I, on the other hand may order them but won’t be seen in public with them on. Then again, 2020 is proving to be an interesting year. I may become a card carrying Birkenstock wearer by the end of the year.
I just realized that people think Kamala Harris was pandering by wearing Timbs & I just…they've been popular for 40 years. I don't know anyone who doesn't own them…
— ❄Mikki Kendall❄ (@Karnythia) September 17, 2020
photos credit: Avalon.red, Getty and via Twitter
Converse are too floppy for me. I wear these instead, which has a similar look but more arch support.
https://cariuma.com/collections/the-oca-low-womens
No way on the Birkenstocks. I wear Clark’s instead, which have great arch support and don’t make me walk like a duck (like Birkenstock do).
Those ARE great looking. I’m sure they’d become friends with my Converse which I will never ever give up.
OMG, I have the Pantone Blue Cariumas on my “treat yo’self” list when I’m done with my cancer treatment! They’re pricey, but seem like they’re worth it. Plus, I love the environmentalism platform of the company.
Wishing you the best with your cancer treatment, Kealeen!
You will love them. They are so comfortable. I bought a pair of Birkenstock hiking sandals to wear around the house during the pandemic. Flip flops weren’t giving me any arch support.
Kealeen, Cariuma advertises with Pod Save America, and they always give out a promo code during ads to get a percentage off. I don’t remember what the code is because I tend to stop listening during the ads, but if you listen, or even check out their website, you can get a promo code.
Best of luck with your treatment Kealeen!
(Also, if you can’t find a Pod Save America code, Cariuma also advertises with the Ozy newsletter. The code is “OZYxCariuma” for $15 off.)
I’ve have a bionic foot, so to speak, and Vionics do it for me.
Vionics are great. I have one pair of the more supportive Converse, but even those I put insoles in.
Thanks! I like the look of Converse, but after finally buying myself a pair years ago, realized I need way more arch support. I’ll have to take a look at these.
I got Clarks this summer! My younger friend made fun of me, but they are so comfortable for getting up and going. My big activities are walking around the block and yard with my kiddos and I needed a sandal that would work with that. Do you have any winter clark recs?
First thing I do with all my Converse is tear out the insole and put in arch support inserts my doc recommended. I literally wear nothing else and have 35 pairs! It’s nice to see a Real candidate wearing something other than $500 pumps or wingtips.
Duh, I never though of doing that! I have a really good pair of inserts too! If I still have my Converse, which I think I do, I’m going to try it.
Yeah, that’s what I do too. They’re nice and supportive around my ankles, but I need that insole in there.
Yeah, I do the same thing with my vans slip ons. Buy them a half size larger and put in really good full foot support insoles. I love vans because I don’t have to bend over and tie anything. I walk a lot every day and they’re great.
Thanks for the link, McMom! Their shoes look great (I like chunky shoes), and they ship to Australia! I cannot wear shoes without good arch support. For years I have been famous (around my neck of the woods, anyway) for my groovy, colourful Mary Janes. I can buy them in Australia, but fortune smiles on me when the Northern and Southern Hemispheres’ seasons are opposite. I get those shoes from alegria.com You guys are going into Autumn now, so Alegria will be having their Summer stock on sale while we are gearing up fo our hot weather. The postage is rather expensive, but when I do buy from them, I get 3 or 4 pairs and it’s still a lot cheaper than buying locally. Their shoes are the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. Plus, alegria give bonus points, which you can refer for an even further discount.
My daughter always wore Havaianas, and last Summer complained how her feet ached. I found a company online called Archie’s Footwear. They have thongs – what you call flip flops – with arch support! I’ve bought my daughter 4 pairs. She loves them and says they are really comfortable, but still have that flip flop vibe.
Thinking of you all during your own wildfire crisis. I think we’ve sent you around 100 of our firefighters to help out, just as you guys did when we were dealing with our bushfires.
@AnnaKist, thanks for your reference to Archies, I have been looking for a good supportive flip flop, and usually wait to go home to get “proper” ones. I have ordered a pair of pretty pink Archies, and am looking forward to trying them out. Also, thanks for sending us some of your smoke jumpers, they are so welcome here in smokey SoCal, and are literal life savers! We will return the favour no doubt in your bush fire season, though I wish we didn’t have to!
I have the same Birkenstock’s as A.O.C but mine are black.
I think they are minimalist-chic.
Those tan Timberlands on Kamala look badass. That woman has such a great energy about her.
I had the black ones as well as other styles from them and they are one of the most comfortable brand of shoes I’ve found. Wish I could still wear them, but I am stuck with Crocs since my feet went numb. 🙁
I own the plum coloured ones. I live in Canada and they hold up to Canadian winter and ice.
Hey, CariBean (are we related?)–I can still wear Birkies, as long as they’re the kind with a strap that comes behind the heel & buckles at the ankle. I have Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease & have had numb feet for, oh, 20 years now & Birkies are the only sandals I can wear. Thank goodness I’d been a devotee regardless of the condition of my feet.
I have navy and black Birkenstock’s, love them. They really support my arches.
Love Birkenstocks and they do have cute styles, like the Mayari or Vinja.
I just don’t care anymore about social standards. Women can wear comfy shoes too.
Kamala looks too natural in the converse and timberlands for it to be pandering.
I basically only wear birkenstocks in the summer and around the house. My feet are so bad, they are the only things that are comfortable. I have a pair of shiny silver ones that I think look semi-cute with shorts? And then a pair of dull brown ones that I just kind of wear around. I see lots of women wearing cute little flat sandals and I am so jealous, because my feet cant tolerate those.
I’ve seen the silver ones, they are super cute!
I have a pair in black and also the silver, and I wear nothing else all summer long. I used to wear dressy sandals, lots of heels, but since I work from home now, I freed myself from all that. I don’t think they’re ugly.
I can’t wear birks, they cause me bleeding blisters, but they work for my mom who otherwise needs to wear orthopedic soles in all her shoes. I felt cheated when I bought some because of hers and many of my friends raving reviews and it was just torture to me 🙁
I can’t wear converse either because I’ll get blisters on the toes, where the fabric and plastic parts meet. My feet are weird
I find that I can only wear my Birkenstocks for a day or I get blisters, too.
Kamala’s footwear always looks totally appropriate and I like her overall low key style a lot! You just notice her and not her clothing.
I love Birkenstocks and have silver ones in 3 styles (they look so great with a long black dress) but due to arthritis on the tops of my feet, the straps now hit me in the wrong place. I blame my high instep and ski boots. I like the look of Clarks but they don’t fit me right. Teva “tirra” sandals work so well for me and I have them in 8 colors! And Vionic and Drew for shoes/boots. Barking Dog Shoes is a great blog for anyone with issues of any type and has helped me a lot.
Yeah, what shoes would YOU wear to go look at forest fires? I would wear Timberlands. How is that pandering?
Trumpeteers are screaming Kamala copied Melania – Melania’s were dirty and Kamala’s look new. I’m sure Melania had someone stomp around the rose garden to break them in.
Wait, hold up… TWO PEOPLE OWN TIMBERLANDS? No way.
Plus, she’s a Bay Area native, like me, and we really do dress like that. Not that it’s specific to the Bay Area or that everyone here dresses that way, but I grew up in Converse & Docs, and my mom made me wear Timberlands when I left for college in a cold climate. I don’t see it as pandering at all.
Pandering? Why is it not good that an American politician is wearing American brands? I think Timberland even manufactures their footwear in the US. And Converse is owned by Nike, which does manufacture overseas. But, both are American companies.
She always looks amazing. Her confident, upbeat way for carrying herself is her best asset for sure. But as a Chuck Taylor wearer for almost 40 (yikes) years, I’m always tickled to see her rocking them. I know people think they are not supportive but the newest version is so comfortable for walking. I did a 75 minute walk yesterday with zero pain during and none today. And I have bad feet.
As for Birks, I still have a pair that I wore in the 90s and have tried to put them back in my rotation a couple times but I guess I am over them. They are comfortable and good for bad feet, but as I said my Chucks are fine and I think their style is more timeless.
Yes, Kamala’s style is amazing! I love her confidence, it’s a woman’s best accessory.
I started wearing Converse in high school and I’m now 35 and still wearing them, even at work!
Same!
I grew up in the town where Converse started. Most of the kids in my elementary school had parents who worked in the factory. We wouldn’t dare wear another sneaker from a competitor. They’re thrilled to see her rocking the Chucks.
That’s so cool. I grew up in the 70s and we all wore Converse to play basketball on our school team. Literally they were the only basketball shoe and they were affordable. I can still remember so clearly when one day someone came to practice one day with these brand new high tops from a company we never heard of, Nike. We all pronounced it like “Mike,” lol.
I like the lets get shit done energy in these cute and practical choices. No tottering, lets get to work.
Exactly. Plus she projects an energy that we never see from Trump or Pence.
It’s definitely a youthful, let’s get to work energy, and I am HERE FOR IT.
Yes! She looks powerful and strong.
The dress code at my office has essentially gone away, and I’ve been wearing a lot of chucks, colorful athletic sneakers, and I just ordered some white Pumas. I like they way I move when I wear these kinds of shoes. Even compared with flats, it’s such a big difference. I feel so much more efficient and like I’m getting tons of sh*t done!
I think our dress code is officially “no open-toed shoes” and that’s all they really care about, but I have foot problems and have long been the only one in sneakers. It’s a great move, I congratulate you and your office!
It seems like everyone, guys included, are happier now that we get to wear what we want in comfy shoes!
Yah! The energy is what really stuck out for me. I’m so excited.
Yeah. I’m sure the shoes helped, but that powerful, confident stride from the plane to the car was great. She totally looked like what I would want to see in a President- competent, in charge, active, getting the job done. The fact that she looked awesome doing it is a bonus.
Love it. Happening.
Birkenstocks made a huge comeback here in Germany in recent years. I own the ones AOC is wearing in black patent leather. There are some really cute styles and colors out there.
Kamala has great style.
I’ve been wearing Birkenstocks every day since the 90’s. I have a pair of their shoes for the winter. My German in-laws laughed at me and questioned why Americans were so crazy for them. I’m glad to hear they are popular in Germany again.
Too bad they’re still not treating their employees well, going as far as trying to get rid of anyone who dares join a union, or who thinks of trying to form a works council.
Their environmental standards are equally flawed, the middle management and up driving diesel SUVs as company-supplied cars.
I wouldn’t want to be seen wearing Birks, not even if they were a gift.
Nanea to be clear though, that is not AOC’s fault and she probably has no idea. I’d love it if we could stop burdening women of color with magically fixing everything in the world, including companies in other countries. Thanks!
Yeah, in Europe they’re super fashionable and in calif everyone owns a pair.
Do yourself a favor and google “Joe Biden Return of the Mack.” This presidential ticket knows how to exit transportation vehicles with BOSS energy.
I do the blazer, skinnies and Converse all the time at work! so much comfier than heels (and pretty cute) I only change into dressier shoes if I absolutely have to
I feel like Hillary Clinton is the last woman who had to do everything backwards and in high heels. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this! I’m done with all that, let’s kick some ass.
Nancy Pelosi still rocks the heels. Maybe someone should gift her some Birks or Converse, lol.
Nancy’s pretty short though, and of a generation that lived in heels so I can’t see her wearing them at work. Maybe during her down time.
She got so much crap because wearing pants wasn’t womanly enough…
She looks fab in those shoes. Love a woman in practical shoes – let’s get to work!
Birkenstock’s actually came back in six years ago.
Good!
I am tired if the double standard that men can wear supportive and comfortable shoes, while women have to wear pretty shoes that may not be the best for their joints.
That standard needs to die, be buried and then ran over 20 times with a semi truck.
I love Kamala’s style. I’ve been rocking Timberlands for over 20 years and love them.
I had a pair of timberlands and they were so cute, but I could not get them to break in at the back of the heel, or like the achilles tendon area? They just hurt me. I tried a variety of sock thicknesses. I gave them to my sister in law. Now that I think about it, I tried to get those converse that had the heart smiley face guy (I think it was a thing with comme des garcons? I can’t remember) and they ALSO hurt my heel. I guess I have tender back-of-feet!
I have the thong birkenstocks, have had for a few years. I feel like they are clunky but maybe I should rethink. I will say, I regret getting the thong vs the one with the two straps across or the clog, because those I could wear around the house with socks all the time. I try not to go barefoot that much, it’s just better for my feet if I wear socks
I’m all in for women getting to wear comfortable shoes, especially on the campaign trail.
LOVE IT
but IMO Birks have been back among the Millennial / GenZ set for years, and I too took a long time to come around on them as an elder GenX. Reminded me too much of hippies in the 70s, but then at some point a few years ago I thought well if you can’t beat em, join em! Have a few pairs in rotation including those thongs!
As for Chucks, they still seem retro even tho they have been popular for the past 50 years. FYI now owned by Nike. And Timbo’s are owned by the same co as Vans (another teen fav that seems retro), VFC. They also own North Face.
Same. I’m an elder Gen Xer who came late to Birks, even though I have psoriatic arthritis and have had related foot pain since my 20s. I get what Oya means in that it frustrates me that comfortable shoes tend to be not very attractive AND super expensive (esp, if you’re looking for something on the dressy to go out in back when that was a thing). All that being said, I’ve loved Birkenstock Gizah’s (the style AOC is wearing) since they first came out and since then. they’ve added more fashionable styles. I really love the Siena (both the big buckle and rivets) and apparently so did everyone else in my size as they are sold out. And Gizeh has been sort of a gateway drug as I’ve even been eyeing a pair of Arizona’s (I think that they’re the original style that people most associate with Birks) that I previously hated.
I’ve never owned a pair of timberlands but when I saw photos of Kamala Harris wearing them, I went online browsing! I cant decide, the flat ones or with a small heel?
I want a pair too. 🙂
Converse are so cute, but they are very uncomfortable for me. Something about the inflexible sole…
I bought a couple pairs of converse ballerina style flats this past summer. I have narrow heels and had to use a heel cushion, but now they stay on no problem..they arent the most supportive shoe, but I like them.
Serious question tho: flat timberlands or ones with a small heel!?
Which is cuter?
I need help deciding!!
@Jordana I’m a fan of the style with the small heel, if you’re not actually going to be working in them. They’re very cute and I think they go great with casual outfits but feel a bit more “fancy” because of the heel. 🙂
Thank you @tarabest! I’ve now made my online order!
Birkenstock, converse and timberlands are the antithesis of the entire Trump/Fox news standard of women’s fashion. So I say rock on in comfort!
I got a pair of Birkenstock’s in the 90’s and never looked back. They are so comfortable. Fashion doesn’t dictate my shoe choice, comfort and practicality do.
Me too – wearing good, supportive shoes is essential. If I wear uncomfortable or cheap shoes, I feel it in my feet and my back.
I was a Never-Birker for years… until I got plantar fasciitis and my podiatrist told me to stop walking barefoot and get a pair of Birks to wear around the house like slippers. One thing led to another and now I’ve got at least 3 pairs in rotation. If you have any kind of foot problem, they are a lifesaver.
I used to be all about the fashion, happily taking the pain and the blisters so I could look stylish… but the practicality of age put an end to that. And now I’m thinking about selling all my Manolos, Louboutins and Jimmy Choos online!
Had a pair of 5″ Louboutin peep toe pumps (sexiest shoe EVER, in my opinion. Love peep toes) that I wore well into my mid 50’s. Now I am 63 and if it ain’t comfy, and close to the ground, it ain’t going on my feet.
Gave those 5″ to my oldest and she rocks them. Ahhh youth!!
Kamala’s is my work style too. All formal except for the shoes.
I gained weight quite a lot in last 10 years that I need to give up all my pumps. Now I find that these shoes so comfortable it gives me the beat to may walk and I’m always in bettee mood because of them.
You can pry my Birkenstocks off my cold, dead, feet. I don’t even think they look that bad but my partner does disagree.
I developed plantar fasciitis last year. I ordered Oofos shoes and flip flops which are super comfortable.
I don’t own Timbs but I have two pairs of Converse low top sneakers and recently ordered some Vans
Vans are by far my most comfortable shoes. I bought my first pair of Converses due to peer pressure and I was so disappointed in them. They are super cute, but had no support. I can live in my Vans though.
It would be great if the MSM actually covered Kamala and her campaign but of course let’s talk about shoes – and dresses – and what not.
Right? But I love her style and energy. Well, I just love her. Period.
It’s HRC 2.0 let’s talk about how pretty she is and what she wears. We will ignore articles about actual content about her or cover her speeches or what she is saying.
am I living on another planet, ore perhaps just incredibly uncool.
Birkenstocks have been back close to 10 years? At least with young people and hipsters in the UK. I’ve been wearing them pretty much all summer since 2011.
I’ve been an active hiker for over thirty years. Tossed my first pair of Timberlands purchased 30 years ago this year. My new Timb’s are as good as the old one’s, same price. We Californians love our trails. I’ve hiked in seven states. No surprise Kamala wears them. Point of humor, Druggie Donnie can barely make it down any ramp, and Kamala bounces from step to step. 🙂
I have 3 pairs of Birks including clogs for cooler weather. One pair is like AOC’s. I feel great in them and think they look cute with skinnies or cutoffs – went back to them after learning I had foot pain from Morton’s Neuroma and now wear them daily. I transition to combat boots for fall and winter. Feel so much better. I’m all about the comfort and love seeing these powerful woman looking good and being comfortable!
I adore this woman and I can’t wait to vote Biden Harris!
Everyone in NYC are dunking on these for not being ‘real’ Timbs (they’re like the girly version, the street version are a lot clunkier).
I am too much of a Millennial to pull them off myself. I have Docs which I’ve been breaking in for a decade and recently had a cobbler clean up finally. That’s the closest I can come to this type of shoe
I’m so conflicted… what women are doing vs what they are wearing has been a prominent question the last decade … Is there a hard line in this, when we shift conversations about Kamala from her policies and practices to her footwear? I do appreciate her Converse sneakers and looove fashion, but also don’t want to minimize her to what she is wearing. She’s too important. We are not doing her wrong by this….are we?
Yes we are. Go look on home page of HuffPo and TheGuardian, nothing about Kamala as a candidate. Only her clothes. We are allowing the MSM to once again make a woman candidate be nothing.
Eh, wear what’s comfortable and figure out the best way to style it. Confidence and authenticity always look good. I’m a fan of the Allbirds myself. Their ballet flats are so multipurpose.
Am I the only one that wants Sen Harris to tell us what her skin routine is? She always glows and doesn’t look her age at all. Oya, I’m with you re: Birkenstock’s. Ugly and only to be worn when medically necessary 🙂
I ❤️ this so much!
She looks great and she is so confident. Break those rules of pumps and skirts. Get down to business in what makes you feel confident and comfortable while doing a great job and breaking the mold. Love it and love her even more for the look she is sporting. Lord knows I tried on my pumps and after 6 months of COVID life, they felt like a torture mechanism designed by men.
I wear my Birks everyday because I can not be bothered with socks unless I’m going on a walk. The iconic Birkenstock store in Marin always meant that we were only 15 min away from the Golden Gate Bridge and a city adventure. When my daughter was born, she was gifted with pink baby Timbs. So what I see is Kamala Harris representing the Bay Area with her style.
Totally rocking the Bay Area fashion. She looks hot and profesh!
Girl, get on the Birkenstock train! I got rose gold colored birks from Nordstrom at Christmas and love them!
Glad to know I am not alone in needing supportive shoes. My metallic pink Birks have gotten me through the pandemic. They are my house shoes, in the winter I wear them with socks.
I think both ladies look fantastic in their comfy footware. I have had the same pair of Teva Naot sandals for long walks for nearly a decade. I bought them in Israel when it was just too hot for me to stick my foot into sneakers and I have never looked back. They have a lifetime warranty and are unbelievably comfortable no matter how many miles I walk in them. Manufactured on an Israeli kibbutz, they are sold in the U.S. I absolutely love them.
You can get cute Birks! I just bought this really pretty navy floral pair! Also totally loving Vionic – just watch your sizing. I have two pairs that are the same shoe, different colours and they fit just a bit different. If you need winter boots Rieker is cozy and cute and totally nice on the feet!
I own converse
I own Timbs
I own Birkenstocks
I am a boss
My doc introduced me to Birkenstocks many years ago (’80’s). She wrote a prescription for them and told me to never go barefoot again (bad knees, hips, ankles and back). With her prescription, I was able to claim them as a medical expense on my taxes (Canada). Also, the store I bought them from (House of Clogs, Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver) will renew/refresh/resole them for a price to help them last longer. But each pair can only be renewed once, the second one doesn’t take, in my experience. Also, don’t wear them in the rain; after a few rainfalls, the cork starts to disintegrate. My doc also wrote me a prescription for walking sticks (Mountain Equipment Co-op has good ones, tho I found them pricey) because I fall a lot. She volunteered this info, I didn’t ask, but with her help I fall a lot less when walking the dogs and when walking on concrete sidewalks, my Birks reduce pain and swelling. I’m a fan! (can you tell?)…
@Shirley this is great info! My mom finally bought a pair of Birkenstocks last year after also finding out she couldn’t walk around barefoot anymore. She always has trouble finding comfortable shoes but loves her Birks. I’ll have to let her know about getting them resoled when the time comes!
…
I just got some dark purple timberlands because I went to their website after I saw her walking with them on. I can’t wait to wear them!!
I really love Kampala’s style here! Her energy is great.
I have the Birkenstocks AOC is wearing, but in black. I’ve had them for years! I have worn them pregnant and walked for miles all over Barcelona, I’ve worn them while baby wearing. They’re just good sandals. I think they look cuter than some other arch-supportive sandals and there my go-to as soon as it gets warm outside.
Yes!! Normalize flats for women. I want to be comfortable while conquering the world!
Try the converse memory foam slides. They are so perfect and comfy with arch support. Much cooler than Birks