Yes, Fall Sandals Are a Thing Now

We’re in that transitional summer-into-fall territory where our thoughts turn to (wide) pants and jeans and hoodies and flannels. And…sandals? This late? Two top-tier footwear collaborations launching this week have us seeing the light. The first is from Dr. Martens and Suicoke, and the second is from Stüssy and Birkenstock—and either one of these will ensure that a fall wardrobe starts off on the right foot.

It’s been a massive year for Dr. Martens and collaborations. Perhaps best known for its punk-approved boots, the British brand has dropped highly covetable kicks with everyone from goth-glam designer Rick Owens to cult-loved label Needles to streetwear titans Supreme. This latest collaboration with forward-thinking footwear label Suicoke has the duo meet precisely in the middle. The “DM Mura” sandal takes existing elements from both brands and smashes them together into a new, next-level silhouette. Suicoke’s “Mura” style gets upgraded with the Dr. Martens rugged “Lorson” outsole, and the result is a heavy-duty sandal that looks and feels sturdy (and stylish) enough to carry you through fall months. (Especially if you live in a place where fall is more a day on a calendar than a weather pattern.) These built-tough units officially drop tomorrow, August 28, and you can pick them up at Dr. Martens and select retailers like END.

As for the Stüssy and Birkenstock, it’s a reunion of sorts. Last year, the two teamed up on a pair of muted corduroy clogs that were a certified smash. (The limited edition kicks now sell for triple the original price on the aftermarket.) This time around, the Californian label riffed on Birkenstock’s iconic “Boston” model, opting for high-quality suede in three easy-to-wear colors—bone, caramel, and dusty pink—and imprinting a tonal (and unmissably large) Stüssy logo along the side. All three colorways dropped earlier this afternoon, and much like their predecessors, they sold out in minutes flat. You can nab ‘em right now on StockX, but hurry—those prices are almost certainly going to keep rising.

Listen, neither of these will likely be your everyday footwear, particularly as “brisk” becomes “chilly as hell.” But in between a roster of daily-driver sneakers, boots, and loafers, there’s space for something a little funky. Especially some DNA-mixing hybrids like these two collabs, which match up perfectly with the in-betweener temps and our own impending closet switchover.