Mousse Clogs and Slide Sandals: Are Crocs Trending Again?

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Initially designed for the nautical world and other pool sports, foam clogs and slides have managed to find a completely different audience in just a few years, showcasing them with style (or not) on the cobblestones of cities. And 2022 seems to give a new lease of life to the foam clog trend.

The slide, from the pool to the city

It made a grand return a few summers ago. Criticized and styled in its iconic duo with socks, the slide has come to occupy the closets of Mr. and Mrs. Everybody, and not just those of campers and lifeguards.

Primarily practical, its appearance has suddenly awakened minds by making it the centerpiece of everyday looks. And this year is no exception. We indeed see it coming back, both in beachfront stands and among ready-to-wear brands. For this summer 2022, the slide arrives in a different silhouette, with a somewhat more “bold” look.

While we were used to seeing the slide with a flat rubber sole and a supportive strap, often displaying the brand name or a design with lines… This year, alongside the “classic” model, we are witnessing the trend of a more imposing slide, resembling a block of rubber, with toes escaping in search of sunlight.

Pairs are gradually abandoning the “pool slide” look for more stylish, solid cuts and colors, more suited for city looks. Because in the end, the slide follows us more on the cobblestones of cities than by the pool.

Are foam clogs making a comeback?

Another iconic shoe of the “they’re not meant for that but we wear them everywhere, they’re tacky but we make them trendy” category… Foam clogs like Crocs!!

A touchy fashion topic, where two teams oppose each other:

• On one side, the foam clog fans: either because they’re practical, or because they’re quirky and perfect for being stylish.

• On the other side, the foam clog haters: who make jokes about those who own them. (we’ve all done this more or less…)

The little history of Crocs

No one could miss the foam clog phenomenon in the early 2000s… The arrival of Crocs shook the world and was in the top 5 favorite topics for sparking debates.

Originally designed for staff on boats due to their durability, maintenance, and comfort in water, foam clogs later developed in other fields like hospitality or medicine. An ascent that led them all the way to the White House, giving them the status of a fashion piece we know today.

Although over the years foam clogs have gradually become rarer, finding themselves in the boxes of tacky pieces, or, for the lucky pairs, in the garden, 2022 seems to mark their return!

Foam clogs, the symbolic piece of the “tacky trend”

We’ve noticed for quite some time that tacky is becoming trendy! With the return of fashion trends from the 90s and the y2k style, some forgotten pieces are stepping back into the spotlight.

Such is the case with foam clogs, which also benefit from the influence of festival looks. Indeed, from Coachella to Lollapalooza, to be stylish at a festival you have to dress somewhat randomly. Bikini top, fishnet top, tie-dye skirt, faces full of glitter and more jewelry on you than in all the Claire’s stores in France… This is an association that foam clogs are increasingly joining at recent festivals, but also in everyday life.

And what better than stars and influencers to propel trends? We see Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner giving importance back to these somewhat outdated shoes. Foam clogs are even hitting the runways, being offered by numerous brands. Recently, New Balance, Birkenstock, and Adidas have introduced foam clogs inspired by their sneakers.

A true trend is thus emerging around foam clogs, including them in styled looks and launching a trend on social media encouraging many fashion enthusiasts to swap sandals for these famous clogs!

Foam clogs, in luxe or Pixar version?

These pieces are also appealing because they lend themselves to personalization. This allows us to go even further into tackiness and the detail of the look. It’s thus adorned with pins that foam clogs parade, more or less loaded. Baby Yoda, Toy Story characters, fruits, numbers, flowers… And even little dinosaurs! The pins personalize the pairs, even adding a touch of luxury to this piece deemed tacky, like with pins from Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent.

And yes, fashion trends will never cease to amaze us!!