Foam shoes just shouldn’t work, should they? On paper, it is all wrong. Available in a range of garish colours, these vibrant eyesores were relegated to charity shops for crimes against fashion.
And yet, now a rumour is going around that Crocs are back in fashion. Is it true? Are Crocs actually cool now?
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The Demand for Comfort
In the pandemic era, little has become more important to us than comfort. The endless global lockdowns and work from home revolution have meant that dresses and heels have been consigned as a thing of the past. Nowadays, we are all raving about sweatpants, leggings and hoodies. Oh, and Crocs.
The History of Crocs
The infamous Crocs burst on the scene back in 2002 and quickly became the Marmite of the shoe world. Made from a type of foam resin called Croslite, these clogs mould to the wearer’s feet, offering incredible comfort as well as medical benefits. Crocs also sell Jibbitz, a type of decoration that can be clipped into the ventilation holes to jazz them up.
This wasn’t enough to win over the haters though. These foam slip-ons were lambasted by many, with some claiming that they were the ugliest shoes that the world had ever seen.
However, just as many others, if not more, praised these innovative kicks for their high level of comfort and breathability. Although Crocs have ridden the fashion waves for years, 2021 saw the revival of fashion’s most divisive shoe.
Are Crocs Back In Fashion?
Musical director Questlove was spotted donning a pair of sprayed gold Crocs at the Academy Awards. This meant that Crocs once again became the brand on everybody’s lips. During the first three months of the year, they reported record sales, rising 64% on the previous year!
According to the chief executive of Crocs, Andrew Rees, the demand for these foam clogs is “stronger than ever”. The brand has also made a number of savvy marketing decisions, by pairing up with celebrities and influencers to boost the appeal of their product.
With ambassadors such as Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Ruby Rose, Crocs have been reclaimed by fashion. Now more and more celebrities are endorsing them on a public scale. But, still, not everybody is convinced.
After Victoria Beckham was given a pair of Crocs by Justin Bieber, she claimed that she would “rather die” than wear them. It seems that you can’t win them all!
Crocs And The Eco Revolution
As the demand for sustainable fashion continues to grow, Crocs may have found a new way to raise its profile within the industry. They have a much lower carbon footprint than many other types of footwear, with each pair of Crocs averaging around 3.94 kg of CO2.
It was announced in late 2021, that Crocs intend to change the materials used to manufacture their iconic foam shoes. As of 2022, the brand will begin to shift towards using waste products and natural materials.
This is a big commitment to go greener for the planet. However, Greenpeace UK has stated that using any form of palm oil in the new materials is not sustainable. Therefore it does not offset the company’s contribution to the climate crisis.
Crocs also fund a number of different projects in support of human needs and inclusivity. Through their global relationships, the brand regularly donates shoes to those in need in poorer areas of the world.
Are Crocs Back In Fashion? The Verdict
If you look at the sales numbers, it appears that Crocs never really went out of fashion. They have been a steady staple of the footwear market ever since their inception.
However, the introduction of savvy marketing campaigns and celebrity endorsements has once again catapulted the brand into the mainstream. Love them or hate them, Crocs are here to stay.