According to an Authority, These Are the Best Clogs to Shop Now

The founder of @ClogLife shares her long list of must-have shoes.

According to an Authority, These Are the Best Clogs to Shop Now

Can you hear what I hear? Pair by pair, the best clogs are coming out of hiding. They’re clomping down staircases and city streets, edging toward cafe tills and moving across gallery floors. A pair of clogs in motion has always been a beautiful sound, but never as much as after this sad and silent year.

When we went into lockdown, I could not justify wearing any of my most beloved shoes. It seemed wrong, like opening your finest bottle of Champagne when you are home alone. As the creator of the Instagram account @thecloglife, I have come to see clogs as not just comfortable and practical but celebratory. Clogs signify a life where one does as one wants, and submits to the will of nobody else—corporate uniform and male gaze, be damned! Leave it to the other shoes to double as torture devices and to go in and out of fashion. Clogs are the heavy-hitters of my heart (and feet).

They’re also unfailingly cool. Ask Michelle Williams or Alexa Chung, who’ve long been turning to the wood-soled slip-ons to channel off-duty cool. Even Sarah Jessica Parker, whose eponymous shoe company peddles rainbow-colored skyscraper-high heels that belong in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, is a devout #cloglifer. High fashion has recently come around. Chanel and Chloé and Bottega Veneta are all getting in on the act with luxe versions. At the Hermès spring 2021 show, every single model wore a studded pair with a subtle H.

Dating back to the 13th century, the clog has appeared as a wooden flip-flop in feudal Japan and on 19th-century Dutch farmers. They came back into fashion in the ’60s, when fans adopted them to signal a cute bohemian bent. While officially defined as a shoe with a wooden sole, the category has become more flexible, much like a rubbery Croc. If a space-age bubble shoe or sandal that click-clacks is more your speed, go for it. You will still be a card-carrying member of the club. It’s never too late to hop on the clog-wagon.

Here, our guide to the most charming and best clogs on offer.

Minimalist Clogs

A little can go a long way, especially when it comes to footwear that is hard to ignore. An unfussy pair from downtown Manhattan stalwarts Rachel Comey and No. 6 are always bold and beautiful.

Rachel Comey Bose clog in Bordeaux kidskin suede

Everlane The Clog

Rachel Comey Auder clog in black crinkle patent

No. 6 New School clog

Maximalist Clogs

Clogs are, by nature, fun and unfussy (and often funny), so don’t be shy if you feel a yen to walk on the wild side. Fabrizio Viti’s flower-embellished, shearling and studded version does just that.

Akiko Tsuji x Troentorp Blue Delft Existential Bunny Clog

Fabrizio Viti Jean shearling-lined clog

Ancient Greek Sandals Grego laser-cut leather clog

Kurg Geiger Ozark clog

Classic Clogs

It’s not just the unofficial shoe of chic moms. Clogs are beloved by nurses, doctors, and chefs, to name a few. These classics from Dansko and Crocs speak to the style’s utilitarian roots.

Dansko XP 2.0 clog

Sandgrens Tokyo clog

Crocs Classic clog

Troentorp Classic Swedish clog

Puffed Clogs

California label Beklina’s space agey ribbed clogs have been a favorite among those in the know for years. Other labels are riffing on the shoe’s lumpen shape, and playing with proportion and puff. The closest you’ll get to walking on a cloud.

Beklina ribbed clog

Proenza Schouler Rondo clog

Simon Miller bubble clog

Beklina ribbed clog boot

Designer Clogs

High fashion has detoured into the WFH movement, and no shoe better completes a cashmere jumpsuit or Zoom-perfect loungewear than a pair of couture clogs. Even Chanel is in on it.

Chanel clog

Celine Legno clog

Stella McCartney Daisy block-heel clog

Roger Vivier Viv embellished leather slide clog

Leopard Clogs

Add to your collection with a pair inspired by the animal planet. The perfect companion to all those pandemic pets on the prowl.

No. 6 Old School clog

Loeffler Randall leopard-print calf-hair clog

Crocs Classic print clog

Re/Done 70s Classic clog

Studded Clogs

A twist on tradition: Designers are reinterpreting the staples typically affixed to the sides of clogs as shiny and shimmery studs. Think of them as bling for your cloggy things.

Zara leather clog

Alohas Harley studded clog

J. Crew leather clog

Loeffler Randall Roberta leather clog

Outdoorsy Clogs

Beloved heritage brands like Hunter and Birkenstock are getting in on the act, with muck-friendly styles that telegraph a comfort in the country. Even if you aren’t the type to chop your own trees, try these on for size.

Hunter Garden clog

Birkenstock Super-Birki clog

Bottega Veneta Puddle mule

Crocs Classic All Terrain clog

Sandal Clogs

Clogs come undone, to beautiful effect, when they shrug off their casing status and take the form of open-toed beauties. A style from Veronica Beard proves that #Cloglife is beautiful, and worthy of a pedicure.

No.6 Abuela clog

Dr. Scholl's sandal

Veronica Beard Hannalee suede clog sandal

Lemaire slingback leather and wood clog

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Lauren Mechling