Convenient. Comfortable. Crazy-looking. Clownish. Whatever your favorite adjective is for the footwear phenomenon known as Crocs, everyone can agree on one thing: they’re CHEAP.
At about $30 bucks for a pair, Crocs are a bargain. These clog-type shoes are light, foamy soft, and come in an arresting array of colors, including neon green, bright blue, and hot pink. According to the official website, it all started when three friends from Colorado went into business together to develop the “innovative type of footwear”:
Originally, Crocs™ Shoes were intended as a boating/outdoor shoe because of its slip-resistant, non-marking sole. By 2003, Crocs™ Footwear had become a bona-fide phenomenon, universally accepted as an all purpose shoe for comfort and fashion.
I don’t know about Crocs being fashionable, but one thing is for sure. Crocs elicit reaction from people that ranges from praise to just plain venom.
“They are SO comfortable! Helps me walk better, believe it or not!” gushed a friend who loves to hit the pavements on a regular basis (and apparently throw fashion sense to the wind in the process). Another friend who thinks outside the box commented that she likes “…the fact that people can personalize their Crocs.”
A harried mother with a rambunctious three-year-old son said, “For my son, yes. For me, no. For one thing, they look stupid on me.” She then explained how her son has extra wide and thick feet, so finding sandals for him is a challenge. Not the case with Crocs, which “fit him nicely.”
“No males over the age of ten should wear them,” affirmed a coworker of mine. When I prompted him further as to why, he stated, “How can anyone respect a guy wearing clown shoes? May as well call Bozo the Clown.”
A fashionista visibly recoiled at the mere suggestion of these particular shoes gracing her neatly pedicured feet. “I hope you meant to finish the pronunciation of the word ‘crocodile,’” she sniffed. “Those…things are FUGLY and cheap!” I suspect she didn’t mean cheap in a monetary way.
It’s interesting to note how these shoes cross so many socio-economic lines. From old money and the nouveau riché to the working poor and the po’ (too poor to afford the “o” and the “r”), these shoes pop up on the extremities of practically everyone. Celebrities and important figureheads such as our *cough cough* highly esteemed President George W. Bush wear them. Let’s not forget about those annoying tourists that firmly implant their croc-covered feet on the left side of the Metro escalators during rush hour, much to the chagrin of angry commuters. And yes, a few commuters do rock those Crocs!
Recently I went to an upscale nightclub and a guy was turned away at the door because he was wearing Crocs. Crocs should be renamed Cockroaches because they are all over the place like the vermin! And therein lies the crux of my problem. There should be, and IS, a limit to where and when you can wear these shoes.
The friend that liked personalized Crocs pointed out, “It’s definitely not work-safe.” On a forum, an attorney admitted wearing the goofy footwear to court. Where’s the justice in that? He should be held in contempt for committing this criminal fashion faux pas! Some of the celebrities are guilty of this crime as well, sporting Crocs at red carpet events, for chrissakes. Quélle horror!
And what about Mother Nature? If you give a crock about the environment, then wearing Crocs is an oxymoron. IHateCrocs.com pointed out:
They are bad for the environment. The material they are made out of cannot be recycled or bio-degraded. Years from now when the fad wears off we will have landfills full of the things. Our legacy to the people of the future is going to include not only all the trash we are already producing but bright, neon-coloured, foam shoes.
IHateCrocs.com also has some videos of people setting fire to Crocs and cutting them up with scissors. You could see the hatred. There are even several Facebook groups dedicated to bringing down the Crocs empire.
Love them or hate them, the Crocs’ popularity won’t wane anytime soon. Me, I’m in the “hate ‘em” camp. What camp are YOU in?
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Hey cherrylips! Good job on this blog. I hate those ******* crocs look like ****. Anyone who wears them is stupid… Love you sweetie.
I find the Crocs shoes to be the real cool fashion of our times, but never think about the environmental consquence.
Well, I rather see people wearing Crocs than cheapie flip-flops. Lawyers wear Crocs to the courtroom. Why not! Denying the nightclub admission to someone cuz of just wearing the Crocs.
I never had any opporunity of purschasing the Crocs shoes. Hell with the Crocs bashers!
RLM
Its sad what american society is coming to these days…. you find a lot of people of our generation waltzing into resturants and sitting down for the full course of their meal with their baseball hats still attached to their noggins. Or better yet…. those out there who show up to professional events with ther “cleaning clothes” on. Decorum and pride/class is no longer a cornerstone in America. Why should it stop with Lawyers wearing crocs into the courtroom? Why shouldn’t our esteemed president wear them to a summit meeting with another world leader?
On the environmental issue… Has anyone seen the movie Idiocracy? I can picture something along the lines of that very plot happening…. ONLY its crocs that will be extremely visable among the piles of trash - with their neon funky colors… spewed about. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy) It’ll be the mass amount of non-biogradeable foam that contributes to the dumbing down of our future offspring. Just watch and see… the dumbing down has already begun with those over the age of 13 walking around with these stuck to their feet.
can’t win, can’t win. They’re animal-product free, aren’t they? :-)
But they are definitely, DEFINITELY house shoes. Unless you’re my 5-y.o. kid. Then they’re just cute.
Kids can be oh-so-adorable in those clogs. Adults…not so much.
But regardless…for the love of God…at least attempt to coordinate the color of the Crocs with your outfit. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen questionable Crocs with certain outfits. *eyes crossing*
I like them for 3 purposes - walking the dog especially in the icky weather we have been having, working in the garden and mowing the lawn, and to wear to the pool. It is great to be able to hose them off if they get muddy.
For safety reasons, I wear nonslip shoes when using the lawn mower. Not a good idea to wear crocs when giving the grass its haircut, I want to warn everyone.
Sincerely,
Engineer
I wear them because they are non-slip (or “slip-resistant” as noted above) and cover my toes completely. I get a good grip in the grass with them.
I have a confession to make. I didn’t read the article carefully as it already mentioned “slip-resistant.” I got my Crocs as a surprise birthday present. Wearing it, I know it is not safe for mowing. It is because my Crocs do not have ankle strap and it comes off pretty easy.
Focusing on shoe fad, Crocs remind me of Birkenstock in the late 80’s.
Mj & Allison - that’s just the point - they’re house shoes or plain darned cute on kids!
Adults - grown adults I might add….are abusing crocs.
Land of the free! Freedom to choose how we think and what we wear. Freedom to be what you are without bias. To tag someone who wears a shoes that you don’t like as being a Bozo is closed minded indeed. Those who state that it is not fashionable is already ENSLAVED by a few who tell them what to wear. I would rather be a free individual who has the self-confidence to do what I want to do and not have some narrow-minded fashion dictator tell me what to do. Free yourself—by Crocs. Otherwise, I highly encourage you to buy as many Crocs as you can and to whatever you want to with them. :-)
Develop a spine! Be an American!
You talk about the land of the free…and the home of the brave… which means I do have the right to be as open-or-close minded as I like to be.
I am not a slave of fashion, believe me. I just think that the Crocs are the ugliest things I’ve ever seen and are more suitable for house slippers.
Of course you can be as open-or-closed minded as you would like. Just don’t dictate to others about where and how to wear them.
“But regardless…for the love of God…at least attempt to coordinate the color of the Crocs with your outfit. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen questionable Crocs with certain outfits. *eyes crossing*”
Sure, sounds like slave to fashion…
I think you’re confusing being a slave to fashion to just having plain good taste. :-)
Good taste is a relative term dictated by societal norms. Each society dictates what is “good” or “bad”. You make the decision to accept or reject what the society dictates. If you grew up in a different society your taste would be different and may think that your clothing and shoes that you are wearing now maybe ugly and wonder who forced you into wearing them. :-) Why aren’t you wearing the good shoes? By the way, Crocs actually have over 60 different style with the same comforting soles. You should try their website. http://www.crocs.com and look at the women’s styles.
If you know that good taste is dictated by societal norms, then you also know that “being a slave to fashion” falls along those lines as well. My point is while you’re accusing me of being stuck on fashion, you’re kind of doing the same thing.
And Crocs are not my thing at all. If you like them, go for it.
Vikki didn’t dictate… she just pointed out that crocs are inappropriate footwear for certain events that require.. umm…
CLASS.
I know if I were a judge and an attorney walked into my courtroom or chambers wearing a neatly pressed 3-piece suit and bright green crocs, I’d send him out to change his footwear.
And crocs on the red carpet? With a thousand-dollar dress? Those are meant to go with appropriate, corresponding footwear… not bright pink croc sandals.
Out of curiosity, I slipped a pair on just once. Didn’t think they were comfortable at all. But then again, I didn’t like the jellies as a kid, either.
Leather vs. plastic…
I’ll take leather, thank you.
You are implying that you would dictate to me what is appropriate and what is not. Why can’t you just let everyone wear what they want?
Who is to determine what is appropriate? The society does. Kids don’t care. Only adults do.
I hope that a judge will “judge” me NOT on my appearance, but instead, what is of importance.
Actually, I prefer plastic to dead animal skin which had mad cow’s disease…
Actually, kids DO care…
And you imply that appearance isn’t important.
Wake up and smell the coffee. Appearance IS important.
Only because you choose to make it so, in the name of “taste, class, or whatever else” you CHOOSE. Kid care about what you tell them is important. Until you tell them to imitate you, they do not have a preference about it. That is why kids are not prejudice until you teach them to be so.
I agree, Glass house.
To some extent, appearance is important. However, I have no tolerance for appearance that has become too important that everything else becomes superficial with no or little value and at the expense of animals and environment.
What happened to the appearance from the within and living simply?
Glasshouse…unfortunately, in this society, appearances do count.
I.e., your appearance is judged at job interviews. I read somewhere that the interviewer(s) will make their decision about you after seeing you in the first TEN SECONDS of the interview.
Also, just look at people who move up in the world…slobs don’t move up. People who are well-dressed and take care of themselves do.
You may not like it, but it’s a fact.
We can all wish for a society that judges “from within”, but that will never happen.
I *ahem* LOVE them! But maybe it’s because I like being geeky. :-) Easy to slip on and off. My 16-month-old daughter has a pair — looks so cute, looks so teeny.
Ahem… wouldn’t that be kinda fitting?
If the shoe fits, wear it! ;-)
I bet she’s a cutie! And as for you being geeky…naaahhhh…
I didn’t realize these crocs are non-biodegradable and am glad to know now! I am not interested in teaching my future child to be destructive to the environment, so no crocs, I fear! As for me, if I am to purchase one, it will be the only one for the remaining of my life! :)
Do we even have biodegradable shoes?
isn’t leather biodegradable?
But not the rubber soles…
Ahh! Then I am in trouble because most of my footwear are not leather. I avoid the use of animals as much as possible.
I have seen so many nurses in Crocs - they must be really comfortable. This statement does not mean I like them.
Interesting, Belle, some hospitals have banned Crocs because of concerns with biohazards since the shoes have holes in them. Also, I’ve heard about nurses wearing Crocs giving patients small electrical shocks (static electricity). However, this may be an urban legend for all I know.
Only the ones with the holes on top because of the fear of needles going through the holes. The other common choice is running shoes. The thin polyester or canvas does not protect either. Which is more hazardous, canvas or polyester running shoes that you have to use a washing machine to get it clean maybe once or twice a year or a shoes that you clean easily everyday with just soap and a hose. By the way, there are crocs without any holes.
I hate crocs. I think they’re sooo beyond fugly. Unfortuately I have 2 ever so cute kiddies in the family that wear them, and indeed do they look cute on them. and then I have my mom who wears them around the garden, makes it easy to wash… but outside in public, I cringe when i see people wearing them. it hink it’s gone to the extremes, it’s just not that good looking, and no way can they be that comfortable. … oh and those jellies need to go back to the 80’s and stay where they belong. they’re fugly!!
I think they are uncomfortable.
Too airy and light.
And WashingtonPOST just did an article about how dangerous it is to wear crocs while riding on the escalators.
FROM http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....02269.html
“Crocs, flip-flops, sandals and other soft-soled shoes that get caught in the hard teeth of escalators are causing an increasing number of problems at Metro this summer. Twenty-five objects were stuck…”
“Generally, footwear gets stuck in elevators when “the weight of the person on the soles of the shoes pushes the soft foam into the step treads,” of escalators, Lacosse said. If riders aren’t paying attention, shoes can get pulled into the plate at the top or bottom of escalators.”
“Used to be that the damaged shoes were brought to Lacosse’s office, where he kept them as mementos. Alas, these days, “most of the customers want their shoe back,” he said. “
To Yb, its not about fashion. its how ppl wear silly **** and in wrong places. i’m sure you talked about what ppl wear or dont wear. IT’S each person’s own opinion. You sound like a plain bored person with no taste.You probally looking Fugly like those crocs.I’m on your side Vikki…oxoxox
Da Truth is that you don’t have any personal conviction.
You state it is not about fashion but fashion and taste are interchangeable. Taste is acquired and chosen. You probably don’t have a spine to stand up for anything that a group doesn’t support.
You have no clue about what kind of person I am.
I don’t need any personal conviction, because this is not personal to me.You’re attacking Vikki about her opinion when this blog is a piece a mind thing for everyone to take it or leave it. You need to take a chill pill. You stated ” taste is acquired and chosen.” That doesn’t mean the person is a “slave to fashion”. Do you even know Vikki? Have you seen her anywhere at any events? You’re the one that doesn’t “have a spine to stand up for anything a group supports.” Believe me, I got plenty of spine to stand up for whatever I believe in. Now that’s DA TRUTH!!!
still upset I see..
Glass house…
Several people have already pointed out your instigative tactics which are obvious to everyone who read the blog before the offending comments (that you were a part of) were deleted. Are you aware of the terms and conditions of DeafDC.com? They are as follows:
—————
It’s simple. Do not make any offensive, personal attacks on other commenters or DeafDC.com bloggers. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Action taken may range from deletion of offending comment to site-wide ban, with or without notice.
If you have any questions, please contact info@deafdc.com.
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So in other words, lay off on those stones. Thanks.
That comment is totally uneccessary and lacking maturity glasshouse… There is no reason to provoke someone over a blog about crocs. Blogs are ment to be a forum to post opinions regarding the topic not to attack one another.
I believe that it was Da Truth who was using foul language and making direct attack. And I believe that his comments were taken out.
And if you will read Da Truth’s original comment, he directly attacked, “You sound like a plain bored person with no taste.You probally looking Fugly like those crocs.” I believe that those are offensive comments and if I stated those comments to you Vikki, you would not appreciate me calling those thing. And yet here you are chiding me. I was just stating that Da Truth is still upset. Did not call him name, did not comment on his looks, did not curse at him.
I believe that I added significant information providing the other point of view, even though, I must admit that the Crocs Mammoths are pretty funny looking.
The point is after the whole thing was said and done…done enough to stick a fork in it, Da Truth did not comment further. So the question must be asked what compelled you to say “still upset?” That sounds like provoking a response to continue something that didn’t need to be continued.
I could have been offended, apparently like some people were, on some of the things you were saying, but I was not. Even the parts where you said for me to develop a spine and be an American as well as you consider me a slave to fashion could be considered a direct attack.
You, Da Truth and CRW win.
Enjoyed the chat. Have a good night.
Signed BOZO.
Someone had a bad day.
Never heard of these shoes till I read this blog…
I guess I must be a hermit or something.
That’s ok, betenoir…
Regarding the Crocs, you can crawl back under whatever rock you came from. You’re not missing too much. :-)
What do Crocs lovers wear in the winter time? Ugg Boots?
Crocs Mammoths.
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-440-4.....n=products
Absolutely hilarious. Unbelievable. I will just crack up if I see someone wearing these on the sidewalks of DC.
OMG! I have to admit… I was wondering what croc lovers do wear in the wintertime - had to chuckle at the ugg boots reference…. However those idiots wear ‘em in the summertime too. WHY? So their feet can roast all in the name of fashion.
I had to click on Glass House’s link for the croc mammoths… - thank you — Warning to all others - dont drink Chocolate Milk and click on the link at the same time! I’ve got some cleaning up to do!
I have say one more thing… just cannot resist - pray tell… how do these croc lovers keep the snow and the cold daffy air out of those holes? Never mind all the fluff… .but … ?…?…?
I looked and they said the holes are fake. *shrugs*
FAKE ? ? ? whats the point of having them.. and HOW can you have a fake HOLE ? Its gotta be open to something otherwise it isnt a hole but rather a painted on DOT! *laughing* How incredibly silly!
Hey, don’t shoot the messenger! I’m just repeating what it said on the website! *smiles*
WHO said anything about shooting the messenger! LOL I was just commenting on the nonsensicality of the very notion of “fake” holes…. an indentation in a shoe to resemble a hole… is just eh… pointless to say the least. :-)
Ah, yeah. They said it was there so it still looked like a Croc shoe. :)
My husband and I are in “Hate Crocs” camp…and we would NEVER buy them for our son.
We’ve seen Crocs on other kids, and there’s nothing cute about them (shoes, I mean). Big or small, they’re still ugly.
Not only that, on the kids, these Crocs fall off much too easily and are a huge pain.
And not to be indelicate…don’t plastic/rubbery shoes cause feet to sweat much more than normal, thereby causing more problems with foot odor?
Not if they have enough ventilation, maybe?
I’d never wear crocs — I don’t like the feel of them on my feet (and that was after a 5-second “fine, i’ll see what they feel like” response to someone). But I *do* think they’re cute on the wee ones. A friend of mine has a two-year-old girl who wears crocs and… *blush*… I like them on her.
But then again, I think anything that’s “miniature” is cute. All baby shoes, for example. Awwwww. ;-)
Wearing a pair of cotton socks inside any shoes including Crocs will solve foot odor problems.
But that defeats the fun of wearing sandals…you’re supposed to be able to go sockless.
It’s as bad as wearing socks with flipflops, for example. It just looks…silly (at best) or nerdy (at worst).
Yea, I had no choice and gave up going barefoot in shoes. I like the nerdy title. :)
Hm. I prefer geeky. :)
Crocs shoes are much better than wooden Dutch shoes or 80s boat shoes.
I once wore the wooden Dutch shoes in the early 70s and loved them very much. Of course, blister development comes with the use of wooden (clanky) Dutch shoes.
Disposable Crocs shoes could be used for the landfill development like expanding the land addition. Or recycle them for asphalt road spread, etc.
RLM
Oh…hell no…Crocs…DON’T get me started on ‘em! Vikki, like you said..they sure are FUGLY! *shivering* If I had to choose..I would rather walk on fire than wear Crocs! Good Lawd! At my job, Crocs are FORBIDDEN..good!
Funny, my workplace is banning Crocs for staff, the administration consider them as akin to flipflops. I personally am not crazy about them although I can understand why some people love them.
FYI, Atlanta Public Schools board are considering a ban on baggy pants and visible underwear. I consider that as a bigger pet peeve of mine, seeing young people walking around with pants just halfway to the ground.
Besides, baggy pants as a fashion style is waaayyyyy overdue for a fashion death.
That particular fad has been going on for over 10 years now!
I love “Crocs”. I first brought a bright lime green pair in the spring and began wearing them to school (I’m a teacher), but my students complained that the shoes did not match my outfits. It embarrassed them more than me. Finally, I broke down and brought a black pair that I wear to school often. They are so comfortable. I’d probably get kicked out of a club myself.
I broke down and bought my first, and probably only, pair yesterday. I think the style that most people wear are fugly myself and I wouldn’t be caught dead in them. The Mary Jane style, however, is another story. *Those* are adorable. I bought a Mary Jane pair in a muted color and wore ‘em swimming yesterday. Oh-so-cute, but zero arch support. They aren’t going to be my everyday shoes by a long shot for that reason alone.
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