Crocs are slowly regaining their status as the 21st century’s most hated, yet simultaneously most coveted footwear. With the surge in influencers and singers flaunting their Crocs for the paps and TikTok, it’s hard not to be swayed by the unusual allure of these chunky rubber shoes.
From Bretman Rock’s floral-printed Crocs to Olivia Neill’s orange platform ones, this funky footwear has made waves in the world of street fashion.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the world of fashion started reviving older trends. 70s wide leg pants replaced skinny jeans, 90s bustier tops and 60s corsets came back into style, and even the Haute Couture Queen herself, Donatella Versace, styled her models in Gianni Versace inspired outfits at the Versace FW21 show. It was only time before Crocs, the 00s cultural phenomenon, came back into the spotlight to relive their glory days right after Y2K fashion took us by storm.
Perhaps this foamy, functional footwear has reminded us of better times. Gen Zs regularly reminisce over their summers through the 2000s; they have been referenced in so many ‘remember when’ conversations throughout the pandemic, taking us back to when Crocs were still popular. The ergonomic shoe has made us revisit the nostalgia of playing tag in a park with sand in our Crocs, or traversing from one slide to another in a waterpark while wearing the waterproof shoe. Crocs evoke memories which leave them with a special place in our hearts.
After the onset of Covid-19, we also transitioned from wearing formal trousers and elaborate jumpers to sweatpants and messy buns. Clearly, we’ve found a way to be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Crocs, similarly, give us the comfort factor we’re looking for, whilst being highly fashionable when paired with the right baggy jeans or a summer dress.
The durability and sturdiness of the shoe makes it more appealing, not to mention the comfort factor too. The spongy rubber is soft enough to not hurt your feet, but also durable enough to not get worn out in a hurry and still retains its amazing grip. The fact that Crocs are available in a range of colours, styles and can also be customised with Jibbitz™ charms are other aspects of the shoe which make it unique.
Crocs as a brand has also stood out from the usual, something that Gen Z can relate to. From collaborating with Balenciaga to KFC, they have touched the world of high fashion and even the fast-food industry – now that’s range.
I’m happy to announce I am a Crocs convert. I’ve gone from absolutely hating this fugly shoe to absolutely adoring it. The white platforms in particular have my heart and can have my money too. This is definitely a trend I’m not willing to leave in the past.
Edited by Katie Wheatley