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Pencil This In: November 9-13
WARNING: Shallow post alert.
Shanghaiist has a bunch of family who live in Honolulu. That means we have to (poor us) visit The Islands on a regular basis. While footwear in Hawaii generally consists of two items -- flip-flops or nothing at all -- we have noticed a disturbing trend over the past few years: More people are wearing these hideous inventions. They are called Crocs, and they are severely ugly. There are are bunch of Crocs clones out there now, too -- because somehow, like a colorful Clay Aiken of molded rubber, Crocs have become popular.
Crocs looks like orthopedic shoes designed for the Netherlandish. At first we always assumed the people we saw wearing them were nurses, or the children of nurses, because nurses have a long, proud history of wearing repellent footwear. But then we realized there was a nurse shortage, and something far more frightful was afoot. The fad is spreading, too. We visited the southeastern United States recently, and Crocs (the shoes, not the reptiles) were everywhere. We always thought we were safe from the trend here in Shanghai, but our worst fears appear to be realized. Our first spotting was at City Diner. Then, another one outside the Ritz-Carlton. Fine, we thought, a couple isolated incidents -- likely nurses from World Link or American tourists. Then we saw this photo on Flickr and we almost cried.
Never again will we be able to look at people's shoes in Shanghai. Because if we ever see someone wearing Crocs combined with, horror of horrors, those awful ankle pantyhose, that will be the day we are forced to pack our bags and leave.
We're sure Crocs are comfortable. And we have no problem if you wear them in the privacy of your own home. Perhaps some of you choose to wear them because you know they are ugly -- kind of like the ironic mustache for the feet. But be careful, this is the camera phone age. Anything you do can be digitally documented for eternity (or until the cyber terrorists take over). Crocs are going to be one of those shameful moments of fashion history that prompt people to cringe when looking at old photos and say, "Can you believe we used to wear those?"
Don't say we didn't warn you. But also take our advice with a handful of salt. We admit to a history of footwear bigotry -- we once broke up with a girl because she wore white KEDS (and just looking at that web page -- which includes at least one photo of KEDS and stirrup pants -- is enough to give us nightmares for weeks).
Photo from Mike Chen.
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I've always thought they were pretty ugly, too, but Crocs the company is a pretty neat business story. The founder was practically bankrupt about four years ago when he hit on the idea. Fast forward to the present. They IPO'd back in the spring and now he's mega wealthy.
The company is based in Niwot, Colorado, which is about ten miles from where I live in Boulder. Of course, the shoes are now made in China. :)
They're on sale at Lucky Greens. Their marketing must be genius.
First Uggs, now this... is there some kind of evil podiophobic mastermind at work behind the scenes in Shanghai? Or is it part of some larger, global plan devised by foot-loathing Illuminati?
ugly as they may be, it really is all about marketing. dunno why i would buy them personally as I need no help to get any more ugly, but i also cant see why one would want others not to buy them, i mean...at least they are colourful yes? :)
Why don't I want people to wear them? So I don't have to look at them.
The bright colors only make them worse. It's hard to look away.
Those shoes are quite comfortable and convenient for gardening, but I think that they would be a bit uncomfortable to walk around in regularly.
Last October, I was introduced to someone wearing a pair of these (here in Shanghai). Their owner turned out to be quite a nice guy, but I still can't shake that first, duck-booted impression.
I feel a bit guilty, harbouring reservations about a person based on their footwear, but it is what it is. Not wanting others to feel residual guilt on your behalf is a nice altruistic reason not to buy them, for all those non-superficial people out there.
Shallow post is right on. Of course, since you announced it as a shallow post, it ceases to be shallow, and actually counts as cool, hip irreverence. Which is exactly what a sophomoric, marginally informative blog publication like Shanghaiist clearly aims to be.
Anyway, this is a lot of vitriol directed at what is genuinely a decent, comfortable, healthy, funky and decently priced consumer product. I’m the proud owner of five pairs of Crocs, and my 42-year feet and achy writer’s back thank me every day. (No, I’m not a nurse, Dan. I’m a chair-and-keyboard-ridden hack like yourself.)
We all have adverse, at times, near violent reactions to fashion trends when they don’t suit our sensibilities, fit into our social clique, or border on entering into, God forbid, the fashion mainstream. And it’s fun to go off on them, preferably in print.
I mean, who hasn’t wanted to take a 9-iron to the all the clean-cut white boys wondering Shanghai’s summer streets in three-quarter length Capri pants? Or those same guys when they step out at night in their striped, untucked dress shirts, boot-cut blue jeans and slipper-esque, fake-ass Pumas? Or that same group, still again, when they’re working their ubiquitous preppy boy polo shirts or soccer, er, football jerseys about town as they troll for local talent.
I’ve lived in Shanghai for nearly seven years, and never has its foreign population—who seems to think it’s so ‘with it’—been so f**** vanilla and lacking in creative minds or individual spirit.
So if some chick wants to wear bright orange rubber sandals that are actually better for her feet than bone crunching high heels…or some guy walks into a business meeting wearing a soft, hemp suit with black funky black rubber clogs with holes in them, instead of pleated khakis and tasseled loafers left over from the 80s…more power to them.
Viva Crocs!
Thank you for adding to our sophomoric and marginally informative blog publication, David. Enjoy your shoes.
Dude, dont diss the crocs. best shoes ever. does this mean i will have to get a new pair of shoes for the next shanghaiist happy hour? or just steer clear of dan?
Geez. Irreverence 'and' irony.
If "some guy walks into a business meeting wearing a soft, hemp suit with black funky black rubber clogs with holes in them", then please torture him slowly.
I wonder how ironical your mid-life crisis is? "Funky", I'll bet.
Thank you, Nick. I was just searching for the right adjective, and you found it. Funky. Just typing it makes me want to bathe my brain in dettol.
"Ironical"? Is that from the Shanghaiist style guide?
I have to say, it's rather enjoyable to posit something on a blog—let’s says, referring to content as sophomoric, irreverent and ironic—only to be swung at by blogging individuals opposing your point of view, in exactly the mode your are criticizing to begin with.
It's like watching somebody jump cocksuredly, land and knee themselves in the chin.
So, how 'ironical' is my mid-life crisis? Clearly not as 'ironical' as your youth.
To each his own. Personally I think they are butt ugly, but my granddaughter loves her Crocs. What I don't understand is why you can't leave Clay Aiken alone. He is the best ambassador for autistic and under-priviledged children in the entertainment industry. Moreover, he has a great voice. Does it somehow build you up when you tear him down? He had a tough childhood himself and doesn't deserve the abuse he is getting now.
Have fashion arrived in Shanghai? Is this a topic for Shanghai?
Lamentably, when that fine English magazine Quo's circulation trickled to a standstill, no one in Shanghai could hear Mr Pandt pontificate on his own brave life here in Shanghai, and all those fake-ass foreigners who arrived in his wake. These days, David spends most of his time sending irascible emails to local magazines and blogs, all in the comfort of his terribly ugly shoes.
you didnt break up with your gf because of unacceptable footwear, its cuz she fugly to begin with
Pan Dawei's posts made no sense. But then again, a 45 year old spending his time posting silly words on someone else's very popular website makes no sense either, but here we are.
Just wait till you get MBT's. Both Crocs and MBTs are massively ugly and sell by the bucketload. MBTs are orthapedic-ish shoes designed to help your back and *gasp* remove cellulite.
my co-blogger ainsley attributes their success in rainy halifax to the fact that they instantly dry after rain:
http://toronto.optimuscrime.com/?p=144
(i disagree: i attribute their success to the buying power of idiots)
I just checked ou the Clay Aiken link. Firstly, he must be a millionaire now so don't feel to bad for him. Secondly, he looks like a twat, and thirdly, 24 million Americans voted on American Idol? That's quite some stupid country you've got there.
Me thinks crocs are good for summer time, the shoes are light, comfortable and I just like the vibrant color. Last time I saw a young couple wearing orange crocs, which actually make me smile. O and by the way, I have a pair of anthes, black and red.
Crocs are cool style
Have enjoyed following this thread. I am a shoe historian living in Perth Australia and have an ebook on the History of Footwear . The introduction of a new shoe fashion holds much fascination for me. Crocs may not suit all tastes but they are very comfortable to wear and give colourful attitude to the fashionista as well as a functional shoe to those who cannot afford expensive footwear. This is a very rare occurance and all the more remarkable.
Keep on crocing
Cameron Kippen
I like crocs. They are cute.
Maaaaan ....... They are comfortable and forget about the shit you hear from the 'Fashion Expert'. What do they know!!!! Just wear whatever you want and be yourself.
I write about Holey Soles here in Canada. I wonder sometimes what the difference is? Does anyone have both and prefer one or the other? I also wonder how Holey Soles can retail so much cheaper?
http://roberrific.typepad.com/handsandfeet/
-Quote-
Never again will we be able to look at people's shoes in Shanghai. Because if we ever see someone wearing Crocs combined with, horror of horrors, those awful ankle pantyhose, that will be the day we are forced to pack our bags and leave.
-End-
Then just leave!!
I don't understand why you guys are so interested in this topic. Why? Anyone who wearing Crocs is a criminal? Even if Crocs is ugly enough to make you sick, there're only few people wearing the shoes compare to the large numbers of people in Shanghai. If you can't stand this little you-don't-like stuff, I bet there's no any other place in this world you can live. Move to Mars! No people there except yourself!