Arizona Love at The Shoe Hive

I often write about the fashion or lack thereof during the college days. The early 1990s had its fashion highs and lows - but since grunge ruled, I guess we couldn’t have too many highs. In Athens, Ohio, where I went to college, casual was king. Nobody really dressed up much, and our footwear was the worst. It was all sneakers, Birkenstocks, hiking boots, and yes, strappy TEVAs.A few years ago, people might not remember them but, they have come back and in a big way. The brand started in 1984 in the Grand Canyon when a river guide rigged two velcro watch bands to an old pair of flip flops so they wouldn’t float away. Decades later, they were the elevated “ugly sandals” walking down all the runways. I thought it wouldn’t last, but it has, and I have finally caved and ordered some for the store.Maybe it is because we are all outdoors more that they’ve crept back. Maybe it is because I got sick of trying to clean my Birkenstocks, and I want a summer option that I could literally hose the mud off and not worry. I decided if I was going to bring in an athletic sandal, it was going to be the cutest one I could find! After my search, I discovered the brand that fits the bill is Arizona Love. Here is the funny thing about the line Arizona Love - it is not Arizonan at all, but French. They are made with fun fabrics; usually, bandanas and the soles are EVA (rubber), and they don’t come in boxes to help minimize their ecological footprint. I never thought I would buy another pair of shoes like these, but I am going to, and I am actually really excited about it.