Faux Pas: The Road to Hell is Paved with Chic Intentions
Jul 14, 2011
My dear friend AG, a frequent blog reader and the person responsible for my Twitter addiction, sent me this photo yesterday under the headline, “This is not okay.” And I have to agree.
I recognize that an urban, high-style fashion site like Refinery 29 has a different aesthetic than mine. But trying to “chic-ify” a pair of Tevas is an exercise in futility. (Perhaps, they lost a bet?)
Tevas are not chic. They’re not meant to be. They’re frumpy, but functional. Wear them hiking, camping or rafting, but don’t bust out a belted sweater dress and a pair of Tevas and call it “relaxed-but-dressy.”
The arm shrug says it all. The model’s expression says, “Have you seen the shoes that go with this dress? I think I lost them.” This ensemble isn’t relaxed or dressy, it’s confusing and mis-matched.
If you own Tevas for outdoor activities, fine. I owned a pair myself once, when I still indulged in the occasional trip to the river. However, they are not suitable for everyday wear even if you wear them with an on-trend Panama Hat.
No matter what you wear them with, some things just aren’t chic: Vera Bradley, Uggs, Crocs, Tevas, etc. Asking them to reach above their station on the bottom shelf of the fashion world will only leave you looking sartorially schizophrenic.
Aargh …. But what do you expect from a website that would pair Tevas with OVERALLS? I could actually forgive the Tevas outside of a hiking situation sooner than the short overalls.
This summer there has been an explosion of VERA!! Oh my eyes!!
Sooo agree! I own Tevas, and they never leave my summer home on a river. I wouldn't dream of wearing them anywhere else!!!
definitely agree. things can be perfect for a particular activity (eg uggs for après ski, crocs for the gym locker room, tevas for rafting), but that does NOT make them acceptable for daily use, let alone chic.
it's like regina told gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen.
Yeah….these are fugly.
And I have always despised Vera Bradley, but you just never know who you'll offend by speaking out…there are way too many people who might have a wallet or change purse lurking inside their handbag!
http://www.ChainStrapPurse.blogspot.com
I just bought a new pair of Tevas. The rocky New England coast calls for shoes that strap onto your feet.
Some people wear Keds but they take so long to dry.
A person would look pretty silly in Louboutins on a camping trip, and pretty silly in the city with Tevas.
Gingerr-That is correct.
This footwear application is an afront to balance. A cute dress, nice legs and dinosaur feet. I must shield my eyes.
I saw that on R29 and was just… puzzled. “Can Tevas be chic?” Why is that even a question? No – they don't need to be! Some shoes are made for function and some are made for fashion 🙂
I had a pair of tevas…when I was nine years old and hiking in the woods of upstate NY,.
Noticed that even the Fall LV show (as shown on the Sartorialist) has featured the look.
June 25: At Louis Vuitton, Paris
My pair have lived deep in my closet (well… now long at Goodwill) since age 7 when I lived on a creek and used them as a safety precaution!
What is it, 76% of women over 65 have a foot impairment major enough to curtail their mobility and therefore impair their physical and mental health? I'm happy to go with whatever comfortable footwear can be construed to be fashionable at the time (usually detected by posts such as this one) and I fully expect to be laughing all the way to the grave, Especially since you wouldn't believe how much comfortable feet improve my disposition…