Crocs Are Making A Comeback, Let Me Explain

Hear me out: We’re no strangers to the ugly shoe trend, but let’s pay respect where it’s due. When Crocs came on the scene in 2002, the people were gagged—and not in a good way. What were meant to be boat shoes were swiftly dubbed the ugliest shoes we’d collectively ever seen. I remember this time fondly and personally swore off ever getting a pair, but I’ve changed. I’m older and wiser, and even Crocs has done some growing of its own over the years. There are now over 120 styles of Crocs for adults and children alike with over 100 million pairs sold (Crocs.com). And what’s more, despite their humble beginnings, Crocs is not just surviving, they're thriving and even, dare I say, becoming fashion-forward.

Recently I took a scroll through its website, and my curiosity was piqued. Crocs have truly evolved into chic and unrecognizable iterations. But the brand claims that one thing stays the same: “All Crocs are uniquely designed and manufactured using the company’s proprietary closed-cell resin, Croslite, a technology that gives [the] shoes soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities” (Crocs.com). With claims about odor resistance and scuff-proof technology, I had to try them for myself. See below for my thoughts on each style and styling recommendations should you dare.

Siren Clog: The Heeled Croc

During my routine nightly TikTok time, I saw this pair in an ad and stopped scrolling in my tracks. Something about the chunky heels and original Croc detailing captivated me, and I needed to know more. They have 3.6-inch heels and the Croc body we know and love. Once my pair arrived, I realized that despite their height, they’re incredibly comfortable and actually go with so many outfits. Believe it or not, I have dressed these up on several occasions with a miniskirt or full-length dress. But I think my favorite way to wear them is to bring a statement to an all-black outfit. The texture of these really adds something to my overall look, and lately, I’ve been grabbing some fishnet socks to wear with them. They are literally the most comfortable heels I own, and I can (and do) wear them all day long.

Styling Recommendation: Wear these with drapey wide-leg pants or a mid-calf-length skirt.

Mega Crush Clog: The Edgy Croc

These are definitely the shoes I wear the most (other non-Crocs included). They have the same general design as the original Crocs, but they have a platform and an overall edgier vibe. With platforms of about two-inches and rubber soles, they are grippier than the rest of the designs I’ve tried. I feel really secure in this pair, especially because they have some weight to them as well. Because I wear these the most, I get the most compliments on them. I’ve worn them on long walks, to my ceramics class, and all over NYC. They haven’t failed me once, and I love that they come with classic Croc back straps (read: sport mode) so I can strap in for more security or flip them up for a traditional clog look. Without a doubt, these are statement shoes, and I lean into that hard when styling them. I like to wear my black pair with white socks, and recently, I even tied some ribbon between the holes to mimic a corset vibe.

Styling Recommendation: Wear these with white Princess Diana–esque socks and a miniskirt or let your toes breathe and slip into these with bare feet and pair them with any outfit.

Dylan Clog: The Mule Croc

These Crocs are a perfect example of what I mean when I say Crocs have come a long way since their original design. If you saw me on the street in these, I highly doubt you would immediately think, “Crocs”. Although they are a departure from the original look, they offer the same amount of comfort. This is what happens when you streamline the original version to create a sleek design. Although there are no “air holes”, as I like to call them, these are surprisingly roomy and haven’t made my toes sweat nearly as much as traditional clogs. They are the perfect fall Crocs because, at a size seven (the size I am in Crocs), these run a bit bigger and are super roomy. Clogs immediately make me think of wearing a slouchy/oversize business casual–inspired look. So lately I’ve been pairing them with a blazer, a button-up, socks, and bike shorts. They fit perfectly into this relaxed aesthetic. I’ve also chosen these as my commuting shoes when I want to wear heels around the office or to events, and they are a soft place to land after a long day on my feet. 

Styling Recommendation: Wear these with knee-high socks and a miniskirt or oversize slouchy socks and knee-length culottes.

Brooklyn Slide: The ’90s Croc

Believe it: These are Crocs. You might be thinking, “There are so many iterations of ’90s platform slides,” and “What makes these so special?” The answer is simple: They are incredibly comfortable. I always opt for this pair if I’ve worn heels the day before and my feet are feeling it. They are the easiest sandals I have because they go with everything, and I can just slip them on without checking to see if they match my whole fit. Lately, I’ve been styling them with flowy longer dresses because they are high enough to keep my dress from dragging and they just complement a light and flowy vibe really well. The wedges seem a little high online, but in real life, 1.7 inches is very manageable to walk in and can definitely serve as heels if you’re not necessarily a heels person. This pair claims to feel like they’re already broken in from day one, and I can definitely attest to this. 

Styling Recommendation: Flowy summer dresses that need the vibe of heels without actual heels.

And if all of this hasn’t convinced you yet, Crocs has done collabs with designers like Balenciaga and Echo New York and even celebrity collabs with Justin Bieber (surprise, surprise), SZA, and Post Malone. So if you can’t get into the original design but want to experience the euphoria of comfy Crocs, you’re in good company, and there is likely a pair out there for you!