Rubber clogs, from the “terrible shoe” to the bottom of the wardrobe still survive

Maria Munoz Rivera |

Madrid, (EFE). Designed for full-function use and intended for marine or medical professionals, rubber clogs are stepping up footwear trends firmly each summer, gaining ground against canvas shoes and sandals, boosted by platforms and familiar faces.

From singer Justin Bieber, with his own line of exclusive designs to which he can add pins in various shapes, to luxury brands such as Loewe, Prada or Saint Laurent, they all make this shoe a favorite for the summer months, despite its name being the reference shoe in Category “ugly shoes” (terrible shoes).

Since 2017, these oversized, stretchy-textured clogs have been knocking on the door of fashion and trends, threatening to enter the back of the wardrobe along with being the go-to footwear to describe fashion and quirky fashion. Fast fashion and networking confirm that it’s time.

It was produced by Georg Boedeker 22 years ago

Since entrepreneur Georg Boedeker produced and sold two hundred units of this shoe, 22 years have passed. Designed to withstand many hours on your feet and prevent injuries, these shoes have evolved from a purpose built for work and utilitarian track record to being a trendsetter.

Inspired by their shape in traditional clogs and with large perforations in the toe, “Crocs”, a pioneer and benchmark, find their recipe for success in their construction, because they are made of a special patented resin which, when heated by body heat, softens and thus avoids damaging or oppressing the foot.

Their shape is exaggerated, as is the wide range of colors in which they are produced; From strong tones to more neutral tones that in recent years have joined the trend of personalization with pins that are clipped into their eyelets, in addition to also showing off with socks outside of the summer months.

Although they initially jumped from functionality to the most extravagant outfits suitable only for the runners-up and the most daring, like Chiara Ferragni, Madonna or Justin Bieber at the time, these rubber clogs are now part of the fashion democratizing the streets.

After those responsible for this standardization of these shoes, the cooperation and multiple licenses of the company. More than sixty among designers and artists, being Major Bieber, his collection sold out in just two hours, and also the creative director of Balenciaga, Gemna Gvsalia.

Although these two collaborations, according to fashion analysts, have distinguished before and after in the fever of these shoes, there were several luxury companies that presented their modifications of the shoes: Saint Laurent or Louis Gabriele Nucci as well as Balenciaga who in his latest collaboration, added heels to the shoes .

“Increasingly, heights are gaining weight in the range and we can see them in sales, with a marked increase in platforms, models that are increasingly in demand by the young public who have the brand,” Crocs point out to EFE about the boom models.

Christopher Kane filled these shoes with rhinestones in an attempt to make a more sophisticated version, while on the Internet and in fast fashion stores, exquisite models with small chains, studs and studs triumph, which coexist with classic models in neutral colors.

Increasingly present in casual fashion and outside of the summer months thanks to wider-soled models seen with neutral socks, these shoes, despite their widespread use, are still synonymous with the avant-garde in their latest version, which follows a futuristic line that links back to its more striking origins. for attention.

Crocs says about the shoes.The most commercial models.

Like garments such as jumpsuits or long pants, fashion salvage and elevate a utilitarian piece as part of the avant-garde clothing that crosses over from the more daring to the general public.