by bleeker » Thu Nov 08, 2018 5:05 pm
I definitely think they're comparable to birks. 5-10 years ago it seems like there were only non-hip connotations surrounding the image of the arizona-wearer, the classic stereotype of the german in high socks and health sandals dominated. That of course changed and I think the same process of changing connotations is plausible for for the rainbow or a rainbow-type shoe. I mean, in the 70s and 80s "earth shoes" and that lifestyle had a moment and it seems like certain strains of pop culture are moving towards a similar direction of environmental appreciation today. Tyler the Creator has his paraboots after all, which to me are in the same class as the mephisto.
So, my idea of the outfit to go with a pair of rainbows is really similar to yours. down-to-earth, approachable stuff that you are visibly comfortable in. Garment dyed sweatshirts, fatigue pants with signs of wear, patagonia pile fleece, you know what I mean. Basically the oi polloi look, and I think they even have a write up on mephisto.
My association with mephisto is positive because a few of the cool aviation opas at my local airstrip have a pair, often worn with some casual fjallraven, a fisherman type vest and variations on michael caine-type glasses.
of course there are shitty colorways and people who don't do them justice but they have potential imo.