There is no question that fall is officially here. As an October baby and with the help of Wisconsin’s weather I was ready to throw on sweaters over my short shorts about the last week of August. And have had more pumpkin spice lattes already this month than most people will have in their lifetime. In fact, I’m drinking one now as I type. Another undisputable fact is that fall is the most basic season.
I have always taken “Basic” as a compliment. To me it simply means I am a super girly girl. I love UGGs and will wear them before summer even ends. I quote “Mean Girls” and “Legally Blonde” way too much. My nerd of a boyfriend said even if I was in a pool of lemon juice I would still be the most basic person he knew. At recruitment during one of our many ice breakers I said if I had to change my name I would pick Serena or Blair after my two of my favorite female role models. In the fall, being Basic/girly girl takes a whole new level. Pumpkin spice runs through their veins, they line up to pick apples and paint pumpkins in their perfectly coordinated sweater and equestrian boot looks.
Another getting to know you activity at recruitment was to show we are “individually unique, together complete”. This included thinking of things that were unique to us and things only our small group shared (but essentially just anything anyone in the room shared as a group of basic undergrad millennials). This is where I experienced what I can only describe as a total identity crisis. I had to lie and agree that I too shared something that all basic girls, but me, had.
There has been a trend that has exploded into popularity recently and is now a staple for basic girls everywhere. I tried to deny its existence and get over the shock that I could be in the minority of it. I almost became angry with myself and lonely that there were few others that felt the same.
I’m talking about Birkenstocks of course. They have become the go-to shoes for basic girls everywhere from spring break to Halloween. When I hear birks I think Hermes Birkin bags, not the comfy sandal worn formerly just for orthopedic purposes. Birkenstocks have become a staple for basic girl uniforms from class to hungover brunch. I am confused every day how I can seem to be the only one that thinks Birkenstocks are kind of ugly and most of the time girls let them get dirty and smelly with no attempt to hide it.
I am 100% flats and converse team. I would wear my thigh-high equestrian boots in the middle of July if my only other option was to slide into a pair of Birks.
So, this is my public apology. I lied I don’t like Birkenstocks. In fact, I really don’t like them.
Do I need to give up stars on my Starbucks Gold Card for my lack of orthopedically inspired shoes made of Bikro-Flor (a Birkenstock trademark combination of fleece and PVC) and cork? I don’t know that I will ever get to the acceptance stage over Birkenstocks, but feel comfort in the fact that winter is coming… and with that exclusively UGGs season.