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Can you hear what I hear? Pair by pair, the best clogs come out of their hiding place. They descend the stairs and the streets of the city, go to the cash desks of the cafes and cross the floors of the galleries. A pair of moving clogs has always been a beautiful sound, but never more so than after this sad and silent year.
When we went into lockdown I couldn’t justify wearing one of my most beloved shoes. It seemed wrong, like opening your finest bottle of champagne when you are home alone. As the creator of the Instagram account @thecloglife, I have come to see clogs as not only comfortable and practical, but also festive. Clogs signify a life where you do what you want and where you submit to no one else’s will – to hell with the corporate uniform and the male gaze! Let other shoes serve as torture devices and go out of fashion. Hooves are the heavy weights of my heart (and my feet).
They are also infallibly cool. Ask Michelle Williams or Alexa Chung, both of whom have long turned to wood-soled slip-ons to channel out-of-service freshness. Even Sarah Jessica Parker, whose eponymous shoe company sells rainbow-colored high heels that belong to Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, is a staunch #cloglifer. Haute couture has recently arrived. Chanel, Chloé and Bottega Veneta all jump into the game with luxury versions. At the Hermès spring 2021 show, each model wore a pair of studs with a subtle H.
Dating back to the 13th century, the clog appeared as a wooden thong in feudal Japan and at the feet of 19th century Dutch farmers. They came back in fashion in the ’60s, when fans adopted them to signal a pretty bohemian bent. Although officially defined as a shoe with a wooden sole, the category has become more flexible, much like a rubbery Croc. If a bubble shoe or space age sandal that clicks is more your speed, go for it. You will always be a card holder of the club. It’s never too late to get on the shoe wagon.
Here, our guide to the most charming and best clogs on offer.
Minimalist clogs
A little can go a long way, especially when it comes to shoes that are hard to ignore. The simple styles of downtown Manhattan pillars Rachel Comey and No. 6 are always bold and beautiful.
Maximalist clogs
Clogs are fun and straightforward (and often funny) by nature, so don’t be shy if you feel inclined to walk on the wild side. The shearling version with studs and embellished with flowers by Fabrizio Viti is there for that.
Classic clogs
It’s not just the unofficial shoe for chic moms. Clogs are loved by nurses, doctors, and chefs, to name a few. These classics from Dansko and Crocs speak to the style’s utilitarian roots.
Blown clogs
California label Beklina’s ribbed clogs have been a connoisseur’s favorite for years. Other labels riff on the lumpen shape of the shoe and play with proportions and puffs. The closest to walking on a cloud.
Designer clogs
Haute couture has taken a detour through the WFH movement, and no shoe complements a cashmere jumpsuit or Zoom-perfect loungewear better than a pair of couture clogs. Even Chanel is in the game.
Leopard clogs
Complete your collection with a pair inspired by the animal planet. The perfect companion for all these pandemic animals on the prowl.
Studded clogs
A twist on tradition: designers reinterpret the staples typically affixed to the sides of clogs as shiny, shimmering nails. Think of them as the bling for your clogged business.
Outdoor clogs
Beloved heirloom brands like Hunter and Birkenstock are jumping into the act, with mud-friendly styles that telegraph a comfort in the country. Even if you are not the type to cut your own trees, try them for size.
Sandal clogs
The clogs come undone, with a beautiful effect, when they shed their casing status and take the form of open-toed beauties. A style from Veronica Beard proves that #Cloglife is chic and worthy of a pedicure.
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