Trend Setting

Published Wednesday, July 01, 2009 12:16 AM

Crocs – Yes or No? 

Imagine this scenario: It's a Sunday afternoon and you're just coming in from gardening, wearing your Crocs. You decide to quickly run to the grocery store. Do you change your shoes or leave on your Crocs? I mean, they're just so easy to wear and super comfortable…and it'll only be a few minutes.

 

No! The answer is no. You remove the Crocs and put on any other shoe. Flip flops? Awesome. UGG boots? Yes, great. Jelly shoes? Okay, sure. But the Crocs should stay in the privacy of your home.

 

Let me tell you a little something about America's beloved Crocs shoes. They are boating shoes that were made to be worn outdoors and on boats. Then, I don't know, one day some boater went into Macy's after a sweaty day at sea to buy a pair of Dockers, and every woman dropped her giant sunglasses and exclaimed, "What are those things on your feet?  I must have them!" I think that's how it happened.

 

Crocs are everywhere and on everyone. People now wear them to errands and parties, make their kids wear them, and even wear them to the gym and work.  People, that is too far! Yes, I understand Crocs shoes are comfortable and light – like walking on rubber clouds, maybe. And, okay, maybe if you are a nurse – especially a nurse on a boat – and spend hours every day on your feet, I can admit that Crocs might be more comfortable… but enough is enough.

 

What started as a simple awkward-looking rubber clog has somehow morphed into a whole line of Crocs footwear. There are Crocs for every occasion – sandal Crocs, boot Crocs and even high-heeled Crocs. What? I wasn't aware we needed high-heeled Crocs. My mistake.

 

There's no stopping it now, of course – the Crocs have already been made and sold. But we can try to avoid future Crocs-like fads by keeping the occasion-specific footwear occasion specific. So, let's keep the snowshoes in the snow.

by tinadh
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Comments

# threecat3 said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:56 AM

Have you ever tried a pair?  Do you have problems with your feet?  I'm guessing you haven't and you don't or you would understand why people like them so much.  I've bought expensive shoes and sneakers and even had customed made orthotics and nothing relieved the pain and swelling that I have in my feel the way Crocs do.  Trendy and cute, maybe not, but they keep me on my feet and that is all that matters to me.  And that is no Croc....

# Becki said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:17 AM

Obviously you have never worn Crocs, having back problems, these shoes enable me to be on my feet for long periods and yes I do own the winter boots and heels. I cannot stand in regular heels for longer than a few minutes and I can stand for long periods in the crocs. No matter what they were originally intended for, btw it was the beach and for boats, they are and will continue to be my shoe of choice for work in a Dr's office and I will continue to wear them to the grocery store and (gasp) other places.

# Becki said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:18 AM

Obviously you have never worn Crocs, having back problems, these shoes enable me to be on my feet for long periods and yes I do own the winter boots and heels. I cannot stand in regular heels for longer than a few minutes and I can stand for long periods in the crocs. No matter what they were originally intended for, btw it was the beach and for boats, they are and will continue to be my shoe of choice for work in a Dr's office and I will continue to wear them to the grocery store and (gasp) other places.

# lademom said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:30 AM

sorry, but who are you to dictate what we wear on our feet and where? Obviously you have never suffered from foot pain. Shame.

# Kathleen said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:34 AM

I don't have back problems, but I walk for exercise and my Croc are like wearing air.  They don't weight anything and are so comfortable, plus, you apparently cannot wear them out.  Mine are four years old, lots of miles and still going strong and yes, I wear them to lots of stores including grocery and anywear else I go!

# loldson said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:38 AM

FINALLY! Someone is willing to step up and say what any self-respecting person with even a drop of fashion-sense should be thinking! Crocs are beyond ugly. Right up there with Birkenstocks and socks on the list of atrocious footwear choices.

Thank you for putting it out there that they are not acceptable attire for every occasion. In an office? Really? People actually think that is acceptable?

I find that my Dearfoam slippers ease foot and backpain- does that mean I have carte blanche to wear them everywhere? NO! Why are Crocs any different?

# MrsWorldwide said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:48 AM

Sorry, but I have to agree with this to an extent. From what I am guessing, the person who wrote this has not seen the many styles of crocs and is focusing only on the first style, clogs, that were introduced. I personally don't like that style at all and would not choose to wear those anywhere but my yard. However, there are several styles of sandals and flip flops that look great and provide the comfort that people get from the Crocs brand. I would definitely wear the flops.

I will say that if you run to the store real quick or you do work in an atmosphere, such a Dr.'s office or hospital, where scrubs are worn and they assist you in lasting the day then by all means wear them. The orthopedic shoes aren't any better looking and you have to wear something to take some of the pressure off of your body. However, I work in a professional office and one of the girls here wear them as an everday shoe with long skirts. Not professional. I do have back issues and I invest in brands like Naturalizer that provide great looking, professional shoes that are easy on my body and my feet. If I want to wear heels, I'm discretinary as I know my limits.

# gsgrandma said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:57 AM

Why should it be "enough is enough"?  For years I wore trendy heels to work every day and now I can't.  Crocs are ideal for people who have foot problems as I do.  Nothing feels better than a pair of Crocs.  I've spent hundreds of dollars looking for a shoe I can wear that does not cause constant pain to my foot and then behold, a $30 pair of shoes comes along that works perfectly.  And on top of that, they don't look like the orthopedic shoes of old.  I will continue to wear my Crocs everywhere, including work, until something better comes along.  What I can't understand is why these shoes cause so many people distress because of their looks.  Turn your head, close your eyes, but stop ridiculing people who wear Crocs!

# Leysa Lowery said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:00 AM

There are so many wonderful shoes that look good and feel good.  I'm so tired of Crocs!  Enjoyed the article and I'm so glad someone finally said something!!!

# gsgrandma said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:08 AM

loldson -- I have seen girls wearing flannel pajamas and slippers at the mall and in the grocery store, and I'm sure they think they're being cute and fashionable.  But don't set foot in either place in a pair of Crocs -- please!

# PGJ said on Thursday, July 02, 2009 12:18 PM

Wow!  of all the things to worry about you chose the feet. How about the attire?  People walk around half naked in public yet no one has trouble with that.  People shop in their PJs and night shirts and you say enough is enough for crocs!  Open your eyes!  Where is the moral value as human beings?  we are no different than animals when we walk around without covering our bodies for the world to see what we've got! and you feel footwear has a standard to to be maintained!  Let's address the important issues first and leave the footwear decisions to those who struggle with what they can wear and what helps them to live pain free!

# chatpat13 said on Monday, July 06, 2009 9:13 AM

You are so wrong!  What people wear on their feet does not make the person.  I personally think certain shoes can be so vain and I respect someone who walks around in the shoes of their choice and not worry what the other person thinks of them.  It takes a special person to wear crocs out in public.  

# Ilah said on Monday, July 06, 2009 11:57 AM

Totally agree--Crocs are not for wearing everywhere, slippers are not for wearing everywhere nor are athletic shoes!  There are tons of brands of comfortable, appropriate footwear.