How Modernization of Clogs Led To Their Increased Popularity

Clogs have been around for centuries, yet it was only in the late 1970s and 1980s that they became mainstream fashion accessories. Clogs are one of the few unisexual footwear available in the market which are popular among both the sexes.

In spite of them being unisexual, clogs for men have lower heel height while fashionable women’s clogs have high heels. High-heeled clogs can sometimes be as high as 6 or even 8 inches.

History of Clog Design

In earlier times, clogs were made completely of wood. Those clogs were designed as wooden shoes that covered the entire feet, and were worn mostly by miners, farmers, and factory workers. Clogs were quite strong, the raw material (wood) was readily available, which offered excellent feet protection. Hence they never truly went out of use.

Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, clogs were reintroduced in the market in new forms that saw the original full-wooden construction being replaced by part-wood construction. The new clogs had wooden soles, with upper straps made of durable fabric. Different styles were introduced over the years, such as clog boots, clog sandals and clog Toffels.

Clog sandals were also referenced in the Hindu mythology as the footwear of Gods such as Lord Ram, Lord Vishnu and numerous saints.

The ‘Style’ Difference

Everyone loves good-looking and sturdy footwear. All that was needed for clogs for men and women to be a hit was an upgradation of their looks according to the current fashion trends. While the wooden sole is more or less the same, the open uppers gave manufacturers the freedom to experiment more with their designs like addition of simple straps or intricately-detailed upper designs.

The Clog Advantage

Clogs have numerous advantages over other footwear, which further increases their popularity among the masses.

• Clogs are made of wood, which is a natural insulator. Clogs prevent transfer of heat between the feet and surroundings, keeping the feet warm even in cold winters. Hence, clog boots are suitable for wearing during winters.
• Clogs use treated wood to make them waterproof and to extent their longevity. Usually the wood in clogs is treated on all sides except the one that is in contact with the feet.
• Clogs are rigid, thus provide better body posture. They help to correct the alignment of the spine, which in turn helps in improving back support.

Reasons Why Women’s Clogs Sandals are Favored by Everyone

The first-time women’s clog sandals came into fashion was in the 1970’s, which was one of the best decades for the fashion footwear industry. Once that decade passed, clogs sandals went out of fashion as well.

However, like many trends that make a return, clogs too made a comeback.

The Origins

Women’s clog sandals first originated in the Netherlands. They were made of wood and were shaped in the form of sandals.

The distinctive feature about them was that they were chunky, had an open back with a toe which pointed slightly upwards and had a rounded design. Such clog sandals were slip on shoes and as a result, were convenient to wear.

Today, they are back in vogue and are the favorites of those who want to look chic without compromising on comfort.

Women’s Clogs Sandals Today

Clog sandals may have made a comeback today, but their original design has been given a modernized look. They have become so popular that a number of fashion designers have showcased them. Such designers have also made a few changes of their own including adding more materials apart from accessories such as buckles and fringes.

These days, clogs sandals are available for both men and women alike -

Men’s Clog Sandals

Many people tend to be under the impression that clog sandals are only for ladies. This is however not so. Since the arrival of the metro-sexual male back in the 90’s, who had no qualms about wearing clothes which had a feminine air, clogs can now be seen in the male wardrobe too.
As a result, a number of leading designers have designed the clogs to make them look more contemporary and masculine. These include making the clogs in colors such as black and brown and crafting them from durable materials.

The best part about them is despite the changes in design and material, they continue to be as easy to put on as before.

Women’s Clog Sandals

Clogs for women are more popular when compared to men’s. Because of the design (open back), it is quite natural for people to think of them as footwear more suited for women.

Women’s clog sandals are highly versatile footwear for they come in a number of variations. They can be easily modified to make them look more beautiful by adding accessories such as diamante, various types of lacing, stitching and even studs.

Women’s clog sandals can be worn in every season and with any kind of outfit.

That’s what makes them so essential and special.

Here Is Why Clog Boots Are A Must-Have For All Seasons

Clogs date back to the 16th century and have undergone major transformations since then. They started off as a viable footwear option for peasants and were typically considered the best shoes for working men and women as they were inexpensive and durable.

Carefully selected wood was used for the making of clogs and clog boots as only those varieties of wood could be used, which did not split on being worn outdoors on a regular basis, even on rough terrains.

For a long time, they were a part of the daily attire for both the sexes.

Later, they made their way into the fashion industry and were taken up by popular fashion houses across the world, which created stylish footwear from these utilitarian shoes with humble origins.

Clog boots can be a workable option for every season as they combine fashion, comfort, and functionality in the perfect manner.

Clog boots are made up of leather and wood, which are used for the uppers and the bottom respectively. The leather and wood used to make these shoes are quality-tested to ensure that no harm is caused to the skin.

Moreover, it has been observed that clog boots can help in achieving the right posture for a healthy body and spine.

The best part about clog boots is that they do not require any ‘breaking in’. Breaking in a shoe can be defined as an act wherein new shoes are worn with a pair of comfortable socks or otherwise, and walked in till the time they take the shape of the feet and become comfortable for the toes. With clog boots, one does not need to break in as they have a very comfortable make of leather and wood, which requires no shaping.

Clog boots generally have block heels that help distribute the body weight more evenly, unlike stilettoes that can get uncomfortable after an hour or two of wearing.

Furthermore, they are one such form of footwear that blends well with all kinds of outfits. Formal and informal wear can both be accessorized with a pair of clog boots.

This is why clogs have found their way into the fashion industry and have become a widely accepted option for models and actresses across the world.

One of the best reasons why clog boots are a must-have for all seasons is the fact that they can be worn through the day, without causing any discomfort to the feet in any manner. The wooden base absorbs the sweat in case one has sweaty feet and the leather protects the feet from dirt or harm while being worn.

Clogs boots can easily be found in stores as there are a lot of buyers who want to wear and experience the comfort. For those who like picking up stuff from the comfort of their homes, there is a wide variety of these boots available online.

On searching for clog boots online, the diversity in the make, comfort and designs are sure to make buyers crave for more.

Swedish clogs go vegan

Veganism is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. When people think about being vegan, they are usually referring to a diet that excludes all ingredients derived from animals (eggs, meat, and dairy products). But what about vegan clothes and footwear? A common issue for vegan clog lovers is finding good quality clogs in vegan leather. The good news is – Swedish clogs that meet vegan standards have finally arrived!

Just like the traditional Swedish clog, the vegan clog is made in the best Swedish clog tradition. Handmade and nailed by skillful cobblers, vegan clogs contain no animal products, nor products that were tested on animals. Although this excludes many materials traditionally used in shoemaking such as leather, wool, and animal-derived glues (which are usually made by boiling an animal’s connective tissue), vegan clogs meet all contemporary needs in terms of design and comfortability.

Wooden clog bottoms are made with special attention to the the anatomically constructed footbed that provides an optimal angle for support and the posture of the body. The type of wood used in making vegan clogs is usually Alderwood, birch or lime, known for its natural antibacterial characteristics and capacity to absorb moisture.

Vegan-friendly clog uppers are made of 100%, top-quality synthetic materials such as a certified microfiber (Oeko-Tex® Standard) that complies with REACH. From traditional clogs to more fashionable vegan clog sandals and clog boots, advances in synthetic materials have allowed more options, better styling, and increased comfort of vegan clog styles.

More than that, vegan clogs are eco-friendly, too. What this means is that both upper and lining are made in a sustainable material that is breathable, antibacterial, soft on the inside and waterproof on the outside, while wooden bottoms guarantee comfort and stability. Although animal-free clogs and shoes are not always completely “environmentally friendly”, vegan-friendly clogs are generally considered to leave a smaller carbon footprint. 

If we can say that clogs are a symbol of a healthy lifestyle, we can dare to claim that the vegan clogs go one step further to a responsible lifestyle. By going vegan, it seems you can’t go wrong. Luckily, there are plenty of vegan shoe options out there to choose from. Our advice is – choose clogs.