I have had many pairs of Birkenstocks when I was younger, but not for maybe 10 years. I've been wanting a pair again but didn't really want to look like a slob, to be honest. I was attracted to this style because of the strap connecting the front and back straps and in person it's even better than in the picture. That strap really changes the look of the sandal so it doesn't look so wide as Birks normally do. These come in the oiled leather finish, which is my favorite. I ordered the size 8m which was the 39 as I'd hoped.