You know, I can almost hear your gasps of horror from here…
These shoes are one of those styles that “fashionistas” love right now, but which those of us who aren’t really interested in following fashion, per se, and who just love beautiful shoes, will probably be less keen on. The chunky shape, high platform and tan uppers are all very typical of this summer’s footwear trends, which seek to draw attention to the shoes, by making them look as if the whole thing has been carved out of a single block of wood.
I must admit, I rather like the look… but only on other people, because it’s something I know I couldn’t pull off myself.
What does everyone else think of these, and of the trend for chunky shoes in general?
It’s very typical of me to only really start getting into a trend once it’s in its death throes, and that seems to be what’s happened with the clog. I could’ve taken or left this style all summer, when you couldn’t go into a shoe store without falling over piles of the things, but now that they’re a little less common, I’m suddenly starting to get interested. Of course, the big advantage of that is that you get to buy the style a little cheaper than you would have when it was the height of fashion: these Steve Madden platforms have been reduced to $71 at Zappos, come in four different colourways, and something about the clunky look of them appeals to me right now. Maybe it’s just the contrast they provide with all of the glittery heels we’re currently surrounded with?
These are the kind of boots I know I probably shouldn’t like – they have a bit of a “Santa’s Little Helper” vibe about them, and then there’s the whole “clog” thing – but as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, I find myself wanting to abandon all hope and embrace any kind of shoe that will just keep me warm. And hey, you have to admit, these are a whole lot better than Uggs!
I would have to see these in real life to know whether they’d be worth £95 to me. I know some of the cheaper brands only put the warm “lining” on the top of the boot (New Look are guilty of this, although for the prices they charge it’s not surprising), so you get the LOOK of a super-cosy boot without all of the benefits of them. If these are, indeed, lined all the way to the toe, however, I think I could get over any lingering ‘Father Christmas’ associations and just enjoy the feeling of warm toes. I still prefer Topshop’s shearling over-the-knee boots, but these ones are a little bit cheaper: click here to buy them from Next.
If you thought clogs were going to be strictly a summer 2010 trend, think again: clogs are still popular for winter, they’re just taking a slightly different shape, as evidenced by this pair from Dorothy Perkins.
These keep the familiar wooden sole and rivets we’re so familiar with from all of those summer clogs we couldn’t escape from, but they replace the open black with a double-buckled heel, and while there’s still an open section, it’s nothing a thick pair of socks or tights won’t be able to handle.
What do you think of these? Are they better or worse than the more traditional clog from earlier in the year?
I’m sure you’re all probably tired of hearing how “hot” clogs are this season by now: I know I am. For some reason, though, that doesn’t stop me coveting these pale green platforms by Miss Selfridge. They’re just clog-like enough to give a cursory nod to the trend, if such things are important to you, but not quite clog-like enough to make people ask how you enjoyed your holiday in Holland.
They’re also a colour that’s guaranteed to get my attention at least: I love that pale green upper!
They may not be to everyone’s taste – far from it, in fact – but there’s no denying that Miu Miu have made some very distinctive styles this season. The curved upper on these platform clogs are one example of the current “Miu Miu” look, as is the fact that they’re clogs in the first place, for Miu Miu are one of the brands responsible for bringing this style back to prominence this summer. Now, I don’t know whether you want to thank them for that or berate them for it, but as the clog appears to be intending to see out the season with us, what do you think of these ones? They combine satin, leather and a wooden sole in a way that’s pretty unexpected – I don’t remember the last time I typed the words “satin” and “clog” in the same sentence, actually – and the result is a curious mix of dress shoe and day-wear.
If that sounds like exactly the mix you’ve been looking for, you can buy these at Barneys for $490.
I’ve been firmly on the fence about the clog trend that’s been… well, “sweeping” would probably be too strong a word here, so let’s just say creeping through the world of fashion this season. Traditional, low-heeled clogs just don’t do it for me, but I’m not adverse to some of the high heeled versions, and actually have fond memories of a pair of black heeled clogs (with peep toes, natch.) which I wore to death a few years ago, and which were one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I ever owned. They were from Barratts. I really miss them.
Anyway! Where was I? Oh yes, these pink sandals from Miss Selfridge, which are being described as “clogs” on account of the wooden heels/soles and the rivets on the platform. I’m not even a little bit on the fence about these: in fact, I’ve climbed right over the fence, and I’m sitting in the Pink Clog Camp. And guess what I’m wearing on my feet? Yup, I really like these, from the pale pink colour, which will help to perform the illusion of elongation on the leg, to the cute little floral print bows, which just scream “summer”.
These are £45, and they’re available at Miss Selfridge. What do you think?
This isn’t a true case of Shoe Deja Vu, because as you can see from the image above, it’s unlikely that anyone’s ever going to mistake ASOS.com’s studded clogs for the Chanel versions Alexa Chung wore on the cover of UK Vogue’s March issue (and which she’s been seen in several times since).
Those clogs have been hotly debated since Alexa first wore them. I’ve heard people praise them to the heavens, and I’ve also heard people say they hate them with the passion of a thousand hot suns, so they seem to be one of those items that divide opinion. Personally, I’d be unlikely to buy a pair of these, even at the ASOS price of £85, but I don’t hate them either, and were they to miraculously appear inside my shoe closet one morning, I’d probably have a stab at wearing them.
What do you think, though – of either the Chanel originals or the ASOS versions? Which Clog Camp are you in?
