Everlane Crossover Form Sandals (gift for review from Everlane)
Wearing/Buying
You might have seen on instagram yesterday that Everlane sent me a pair of their new form sandals to try. I received the crossover sandal in my normal size 8 and I proceeded to wear them the rest of the day afterwards, during which I spent the day wandering the mall with a friend & indulging in happy hour at Seasons52 (did you know they did happy hour??? it’s good!!).
Anyway, my initial thoughts are meh – they will never replace my Birkenstocks, and don’t even come close to being as comfortable. Their marketing is definitely targeting birk-lovers, with which I was mildly annoyed. After wearing these all day, there’s a reason cork is comfortable in summer; it doesn’t get wet and sticky with sweat. I know. Ew. And cork is much more responsive to the shape of your foot.
These sandals have slight molding, but the indentations that are supposed to fit nicely under the toes, don’t for me, which isn’t the end of the world, but a little weird. The shoe fits my foot perfectly, but I wonder if I’d feel more comfortable in a larger size? not least because the crossover straps are TIGHT. And even after walking in them for 4-5 hours, they were still tight. And slightly narrow.
The straight strap sandals look like the strap is a little less tight on the models, so that might be the way to go. Anyway, the crossover sandal is already selling out in a few colors, but there are still most colors and sizes of the slide sandal left.
I love the style and sleekness of these shoes, and the colors are SO good. And they’re cute and comfortable for just wearing, but NOT for walking a lot. So no, not a replacement for a pair of Birkenstocks, but a supplement, and something slightly more “refined” for certain occasions. Still good.
I haven’t ordered anything from Tom Bihn yet, but I think I’m going to start with the Sidekick – in black, of course. I have a feeling I just have to start somewhere and not try and buy “the perfect” thing right off; I can build a travel bag “wardrobe” over time (I was getting a little overwhelmed trying to decide on THE ONE THING). I love the sidekick because I can use it as a small packing case inside my suitcase, then as a shoulder/crossbody bag at my destination. AND, at home, I can use it as a waist pack for long walks with dagny. Honestly, the fact that I can add waist straps to it is very appealing; I would have used something like that in Costa Rica, and can imagine the versatility will come in handy in lots of situations.
I have wanted to try the Rachel Comey slim legion jeans forever, and since I sold my Levi’s and had some credit at Shopbop I decided to try them, not having super-high hopes. First, I ordered the six, and I don’t know what I was thinking. No amount of squatting & stretching and laying down on the bed could get them zipped. I could test out the length though, which is what I was most concerned about, and I think if I did get my right size (8), they wouldn’t be too long on me, but they certainly won’t be cropped. I liked the way they fit in the leg/calves, and the high waist though, so I’m tempted to try them in my size. We’ll see.
Reading/Watching
I finished watching I Love Dick this week. I am tempted now to read the book because the show made such an impact on me. I think about it everyday. I don’t know how to explain WHAT I think about it, just that it’s in my mind. And no, it’s not just Kevin Bacon LOL
AND OMG, who saw that Idris Elba is playing the lead in the movie adaptation of The Gunslinger books by Stephen King?? I love Stephen King, but this series was one of my favorites by him. And it has special meaning, because reading those books and binging on The Sopranos (on DVD’s from Netflix BTW, this was before streaming LOL) got me through the really rough patches of my divorce. But back to Idris Elba…I cannot wait. CANNOT wait for this movie.
Hmm…I seem to be talking quite a lot about famous men I find **intriguing** LOL
I did finally start watching the latest season of Sherlock too. Speaking of men I find intriguing…
Doing
Finally going to pick up some alterations today – I had my Everlane wide leg cropped pants hemmed so they’re CROPPED on me haha. And an old James Perse dress that was just too long. I don’t know why it’s so hard to get these things done? They were in my car forever before I even took them, now I’m behind picking them up.
What are your plans for the weekend??
Just wanted to pop in and say I recently discovered Air Tailor – basically an online tailoring service. They send you the packaging, along with some safety pins, measuring tape, and so forth, and you communicate by text – they walk you through the whole process in excellent detail. Pop the item in the mail and get it back in like 10 days. Really amazing – and it doesn’t cost a ton more than a regular tailor – worth the few extra bucks to not have to physically drop off and pick up. Only posting this because I feel your pain when you describe driving around with an item just sitting in the car for weeks on end!
Thanks for your honest review. I was looking at the one band slides and while I love the colors I can’t help but think that I’d easily scuff the leather wrapped on the sides. I too love my Birkenstocks. They saved my life on my first trip to Paris when I got massive blisters on the back of each ankle on day one.
oh…thank you for the recommendation! why is it so hard to do stuff like that?? it’s errands. i guess it’s just doing the things i know i HAVE TO DO. like get another set of keys made..which i’ve been putting off FOREVER. ugh.
oh yeah, the leather would show wear pretty easily. and maybe it’s the sizing, but they’re seriously not comfortable enough to even compare to birks…
So what are the footbeds of those sandals? The website doesn’t specify…
I was “window” shopping on Tom Bihn last night (while watching hockey) and fantasy ordered the Side Kick in aubergine (to match my Western Flyer) but can’t really justify it right now. I have two Moop bags that fulfill my daily and travel needs at this time.
I did pull the trigger on a James Perse dress on Thread Up and a pair of Frye boots on eBay. So I guess my weekend plans involve no shopping but lots of checking the mailbox!
It’s molded leather, but not very molded imo. So yeah the leather gets hot….
Oh yay! Will you please let me know how you like the sidekick when you get it?! It looks like a very good versatile bag.
wish i could watch i love dick (love transparent!) but alas i am boycotting amazon.
i was totally eyeing those sandals in the green you chose, but they are very backordered and i am very relieved that i can’t purchase them 😉
Thanks for the review, Grechen. They look pretty slick, but if they feel pretty narrow to you, then they definitely will be too narrow for my wide feet. They would have been nice to take with on my upcoming Italy trip for dinners out, too. But they’d be a waste of space if they were too uncomfortable to also wear for walking. Kim France at GOACA had posted about pastel Arizona Birks, which I nearly lost my mind over, until I realized that Birkenstock only made them in the narrow width! I was so set on getting a pair of the rose suede or light blue suede. What a bad decision of them to only make them available in narrow! I hope they decide to make in the regular width ASAP.
Thanks for the sandal review! I have a pair of the one-band slides on the way though I highly doubt they’ll fit me. I just really need a pair of flat navy sandals, for when my black Chacos are too casual and/or too black. So I’m giving them a go. I actually don’t like the way Birks feel at all, so maybe the more minimal molding will be to my taste.
I just got my Everlane Wide Leg Crops hemmed — the 26″ inseam should have been perfect for me, but I find the waist “grows” a little over the day so they end up sitting lower in the evening than in the morning.
Oh — and Tom Bihn — I’ve been going back and forth between the Side Kick and the Side Effect for almost a year. I’m ridiculous. My Cafe Bag is usually the right size, but sometimes I’m not hauling a ton of stuff and want something smaller without breaking out my one leather crossbody (since it’s my “good” bag and needs to stay somewhat un-destroyed). I’ll probably just let color availability make the decision for me. 😉
I have a Side Kick (in black halcyon with Northwest Sky lining), and it is a lovely bag, although a wee bit small for me for everyday. For that, I use the slightly larger Packing Cube Shoulder Bag (I have one in the old dark gray, which I replaced with black halcyon when that became available. My other daily option is a PS1, so…) Advantages of the Side Kick include the interior organization– the inside pockets perfectly fit a phone, one side, and an iPad mini on the other. The reason I don’t use it as much as the PCSB is that my water bottle doesn’t fit.
The Side Kick is definitely going to Shetland with me this summer, as it will be perfect for walking, and it’s great for organizing things on the plane. My boyfriend has a Side Effect, and considering last year he nearly lost the camera off the side of a cliff, he is under strict orders to keep it tethered on a keystrap at all times.
Regardless, o-rings are a game changer (that’s kind of why I don’t use the PS1), because I apparently lose everything these days and so if it isn’t clipped in, it will be gone. So keys, lipsticks (in a mini halcyon pouch), Metrocard (in a ballistic pocket), etc. all get clipped in.
And count me among the people who were turned off my Everlane’s marketing. None of Everlane’s shoes has impressed me yet (I keep going to the New York pop-ups and the like, trying them on, and being amazed at the marketing team’s powers while being disappointed in the product), so I’m going to let these pass me by and enjoy another summer in my corky , Birkenstocky comfort.
Oh, by fantasy order I mean I just picked out my color combination and pretended. Much cheaper that way! But if I pull the trigger I’ll let you know.
thanks for the review! I was considering these shoes but now I don’t think I will go for it. I don’t want that feel of sweaty feet. I also really like the plastic ones that you wear often(they have a cross and then an ankle strap) -I forget who makes them. How do they feel compared to the Everlane’s?
Thanks for the tip on the Stephen King book! I really love him and have read a lot of him but I haven’t heard of Gunslinger. For some reason I love him on Audiobook and listen to him while
I clean or take a walk.
Haha. I missed that part lol
I feel like if someone wrote a book about my life it would be titled “Errands Unfinished.” 🙁
I wish I had words of wisdom.
Shetland!!! My husband and I are obsessed with the TV series called “Shetland”! I want more. And I’m so jealous that you get to visit.
Haha!!
The Melissa sandals are wonderful. I don’t get sweaty when I wear those and they always fit me perfectly… I can’t recommend them highly enough!
I commented on your IG post too. I ordered the navy criss-cross ones in 9, I’m usually a 8.5. I have a narrow foot, so I’m optimistic that these will work for me. Don’t hate me, but I’m not a Birks girl (wasn’t in the 90’s either). I’ll keep you posted!
It’ll be my second trip! I went last year, loved it, so back again. It really is as beautiful, and empty, as the TV show makes it look. I cannot recommend it enough as a destination for getting away from everything. And we’re staying at Eshaness Lighthouse, which features fairly prominently in Season 3 in a critical scene with Ciaran Hinds.
Those are cute but no review I’ve ever read of Everlane shoes (or most other items in the past year…) make me think they’d be a good purchase for me. I’m completely into comfort these days (went to the comfort shoe store in Boulder when we visited a couple weeks ago – didn’t buy anything, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing any brands I might want to try 😉 I have an older pair of birkenstocks that might need to be replaced soon so I’m keeping an eye on options…
No big plans this weekend – husband is brewing (he’s a home brewer) and I have regular chores like laundry, gardening. If we don’t have a thunderstorm, we’ll sit on the patio & read this afternoon. I had jury duty this past week so went to the library and stocked up on books – I have lots of choices. Mostly mystery/action/adventure – finishing up Testament by David Gibbins right now.
Personally I have always thought that Everlane shoes look extremely narrow and stiff. I see those oxfords and loafers on all the bloggers and they look like instant blisters, but in a perfect world I would never have to wear anything on my feet ever again, so who knows maybe they aren’t really torture chambers. I’m perfectly happy in Birks which last almost forever and are the same price point as the everlane slides, which I’m guessing won’t be around as long. The colors are nice but even the fit looks meh.
OK! I just got mine this morning. I was one of the first 1000 people, so I got the Cote nail polish too 🙂
I LOVE them! They fit my long narrow foot perfectly. The foot bed hits me just right and I don’t slide around in them, nor have to grip too hard to keep them on. They look flattering and don’t look like boats on my feet. The dark rich navy really looks sharp too. They only thing I’m unsure of will be the foot sweat issue.
oh, good!! i’m glad they work for you.
i actually wore mine again over the weekend, and they were better, the crossover strap wasn’t so tight, but still a little narrow for me (and i don’t have a wide foot!) and my heel was sore after wearing them for a couple hours. i think they will get even better with more wear, and i do love how they look…so i’ll keep wearing them. but my birkenstocks are definitely my most comfortable shoe. these don’t really even compare.