Birkenstock Unveils New Florida Sandal For Spring/Summer 2025

Forbes

3 days ago

Arizona shoe from Birkenstock Spring/Summer 2025
Courtesy of Birkenstock
When it comes to footwear, few brands are as iconic as the German company Birkenstock. They have become a staple for many and can be dressed up or down to suit most occasions. This summer, celebrating its rich archive, Birkenstock has launched a new version of the timeless three-strap Florida sandal. Originally designed by Karl Birkenstock in 1981, this latest offering remains true to its heritage by combining craftsmanship with functionality. In addition to being unisex, the Birkenstock Florida offers a new silhouette that's both contemporary and classic, and is available in fresh colorways, featuring nubuck leather and vegan alternatives.
Birkenstock sales are rising due to strong customer demand, and according to WWD, the company posted second-quarter double-digit revenue growth across operating regions. Birkenstock stated that sales in this quarter were helped by double-digit unit growth and a mid-single-digit growth in ASP (average selling price). They also noted that sales of their clogs (closed-toe shoes), which grew at more than twice the pace of the group average in the first quarter, continued to outpace the strong double-digit growth of sandals. Tariff uncertainty, however, is likely to lead to higher prices, but the CEO of Birkenstock, Oliver Reichert, stated that they will navigate these uncertain times from a position of strength.
'We expect that the tariff situation may create a unique shift in consumer behavior in the footwear category with a split between the few brands, like Birkenstock, who manage strong brand equity through relative scarcity and those who distribute their products with less discipline and pricing integrity,' said Reichert.
In recent years, the Florida style has been available as a limited-edition shoe from Birkenstock's premium line '1774', named after the year the company was founded. The style has been reinterpreted in unexpected materials, including pastel-colored suede, embossed leather, faux snakeskin, and transparent PVC.
Florida shoe from Birkenstock
Courtesy of Birkenstock
Unlike the two-strap Arizona, the Florida is characterized by having an elegant three-strap shape. For Spring/Summer 2025, it will become a permanent part of the Birkenstock collection, available in shades such as Pure Sage and Sandcastle, which are ideal for the summer season. Options of the Florida sandal include leather, Birki-Flor (a durable synthetic material used by Birkenstock as an alternative to leather), and Flex Vegan materials in various colors. To round off the broad offering, a bold Papillio Florida Platform in lightweight EVA material adds a playful and youthful touch, bringing an edge to the existing lineup. There is also a premium version of this shoe: the Florida Exquisite, adorned with the newly introduced half-moon-shaped D-buckle in gold and sporting fully leather-lined footbeds.
At its core, drawing on over 250 years of shoemaking expertise, Birkenstock remains rooted in refined craftsmanship and lasting functionality, with an anatomically shaped footbed that is the hallmark of the brand, providing comfort for all-day wear. Their new Florida style offers a fresh aesthetic, adding to a footwear family that has become so popular that it is now, for many, an integral part of everyday life.
For alternative summer shoe options, Spring/Summer 2025 offers a variety of styles that will keep your feet looking stylish throughout the season. On the catwalk, we saw a diverse range, including clogs, flip-flops, and pumps in various shapes and finishes, from classic to quirky, catering to all tastes.
For ultimate comfort, flip-flops and sliders are an obvious choice. As high-end designers reinvent this classic footwear, they're no longer restricted to poolside attire, and if styled correctly, they're welcomed into the urban landscape. This summer, luxury brands such as The Row, Miu Miu, Versace, and Dior have all released different versions of the humble flip-flop with various heel heights.
Burberry High Summer 2025 shoe
Courtesy of Burberry
Highlights at Chloe's runway collection included flip-flop-style jelly shoes, wedge sandals, and peep-toe pumps—some flat and some with a kitten heel, featuring thin straps that extend up the ankle. Fendi's offerings included low mules, leather slides and embellished thongs (some with delicate floral detailing). Chanel showcased stylish platform sandals, and Gucci's slides presented logos, including the interlocking G slide sandal and the slide sandal with a horsebit, in a rendition of the nineties logomania trend.
Scholl Spring Summer 2025
Courtesy on Scholl
Nike Calm Flip Flop Women's
Courtesy of JD Sports
Ballet shoes have continued to inspire designers this season. On the catwalk for Spring/Summer 2025, we saw ballet pumps in various finishes, which have become a firm favorite due to their comfort and versatility. This slimmer silhouette is also evident across various men's summer shoes, including trainers.
Some ballet pump designs, like the original ballet shoe, are flat and made of satin, evoking a chic dance aesthetic. Other versions, however, include heels, open-toe and lace-up ribbon ties. Brands such as Burberry, Toteme, and Proenza Schouler featured ankle ties in their Spring/Summer 2025 sandals.
Ferragamo's lace-up ballet shoes, their satin-trimmed leather pumps and heeled sandal versions in particular, have caught the eye of many fashion editors and been dubbed by some the "it shoe" of the season for their versatility and comfort.
Clogs (closed and open-toe) were also heavily featured at many design houses this summer, including at Chloe (with platforms), Hermès, Miu Miu, and Zimmermann. These are essentially a unisex bohemian shoe style rooted in comfort, with a rigid sole made of wood, cork and other materials.
The Italian brand Scholl has been a pioneer in this sector since its inception in 1899, and has revamped the collection this season with new styles. The Pescura, first introduced in 1956, is now available in new finishes and features in various heel heights. This shoe is handmade by an artisanal, family-owned Italian business, showcasing a passion for craftsmanship, the use of high-quality materials, and a dedication to providing enduring, genuine comfort.
Scholl has also collaborated with Balenciaga to produce a collection of heels, as well as clogs and sandals in various styles for both men and women, along with some pool sliders.
Scholl Spring/Summer 2025
Courtesy of Scholl
Like Birkenstock, Scholl shoes are orthopedic, meaning they are committed to crafting footwear that not only complements various lifestyles but also promotes foot health. Their unique designs have stood the test of time, and with the current aesthetic shift we are experiencing towards individuality and wellness, it would seem that they're very much in vogue and here to stay.