Swedish clogs in fashion

 Once upon a time: Swedish clogs through centuries

Swedish wooden clogs, or träskor, have been used by workers and farmers as practical and cheap footwear, ideal as protective footwear against moody Nordic climate. But not only Nordic. Different types of wooden shoes have been popular from Japan and Turkey to the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries for centuries. However, it was during the 1970s, when several Swedish brands started to make more fashionable clogs. Collections for women included clog boots, clog sandals, high heel clogs, etc. Soon, Swedish wooden clogs found their customers, and handmade clogs became a fashion statement both on fashion shows and city streets worldwide.

How wooden clogs are made?

Swedish design is known for its practicality, durability, and simplicity. Like most Swedish products, Swedish clogs are made from natural and eco-conscious materials, such as leather, wood, shearling, and wool. Swedish brands offer a range of women’s clogs suitable for everyday use, as well as more stylish options such as clog sandals, platforms, and wedges. With a focus on functionality, sustainability, and comfort, both traditional and fashionable Swedish clogs for women are still made by hand. Affordable and practical, they have managed to maintain their unique craftsmanship and recognizable retro design for decades.

Why should you wear Swedish clogs?

Wooden clogs are proof of the Swedish design philosophy visible in all aspects of design, from architecture to home products and textiles.  The heart of Swedish design lies in its simplicity and beauty, which is about keeping everything simple, clean, and functional. With a unique connection between nature and people, women’s clogs feel pleasant for feet and comfortable to walk in (even on a 7cm high heel).

When climate influences style

Scandinavian design has always prioritized function and affordability over preciousness and luxury. According to a popular belief, the clog design is a reflection of the climate in the Nordic region. Thick wooden soles and leather uppers provided some protection against the cold and wet Swedish weather. The color palette of traditional Swedish clogs includes white, black, beige, grey, with bursts of earthy or pastel colors, making them a great match to many outfits and styles.

The uniqueness of Swedish wooden clogs for women

The success of Swedish women’s clogs lies in their durability, reliability, and simplicity. The design and style come from minimalist ideals, in which everything is meant to serve a purpose. Scandinavian wooden clogs maintained their popularity over the decades because they can be taken either high-end or more basic, without losing any of their quality. Swedish clogs provide a comfortable, anatomically shaped, and durable treat for feet. That’s why they are traditionally popular among medical workers and kitchen chefs. On the other hand, their minimalistic design makes them an original and brave addition to every woman’s wardrobe.  

Practical quality of wooden clogs

Swedish clogs for women may be best known for their anatomically shaped wooden soles that soften the impact of walking on hard surfaces and provide support across the foot. No matter if we talk about high-end fashion or more common classic wooden clogs for women, they all have the same functionality and practicality nailed in them. Today, handmade clogs for women are not only comfortable and healthy footwear for professional use, but they are also trendy shoes you’ll see both in big cities and in holiday resorts along the coast.

Clogs for Men- Footwear Perfection Crafted for Ultimate Comfort

The limited variety available in men’s shoes and the lack of quality shoemakers who are experts in their craft have led a lot of men to stick to just one brand and one or two types of shoes. Experimentation is not really men’s forte, especially when it comes to their footwear. Clogs for men epitomize bespoke style and classic appeal and are the perfect choice for those men who wish to get out of the monotony of the same old shoes they have been wearing since boyhood.

Made with leather, suede or Nubuck, and crafted from the wood of alder and/or lime trees, clogs represent the ideal work shoes for men and women of the past and the present. In the pre-industrial era, these humble shoes were seen on the feet of every man as well as woman. They provided unparalleled comfort and protection to the feet from external factors like harsh weather conditions, sharp objects and uneven terrain.

When it comes to bespoke shoes for men, it is common to find people making a beeline to the showrooms of high-end brands. Best quality leather imported from Germany, France or Italy, suede imported from England or Cordovan from the States are used to make such shoes and their price bracket is such that these shoes become too extravagant for the normal man.

Clogs for men have turned out to be the best alternative for their high-end bespoke counterparts.

Depending on the structure of men’s feet and the common shapes, each piece of clog shoe is precisely crafted and shaped to provide the best fit for every size. All orthopedic requirements that are generally overlooked by most shoemakers are taken care of and fulfilled in the best way by clog makers.

Men with large feet face a common problem- constricted toe boxes that are too suffocating and uncomfortable for daily wear, especially to wear to work.

Moreover, the required support for the spine as well as the arch of the feet are not provided by most men’s shoes.

These two aspects are effectively addressed by the anatomic design and shape of clogs for men.

Wooden clog shoes have larger toe boxes as compared to the other types of men’s footwear and the curved shape of the bottoms made of dehydrated alder or lime wood, coupled with the rolling motion of the wood make for a great fit and exceptional comfort, rarely experienced in men’s shoes.

Do Men Have A Thing For Clogs?

Do men care about fashion? Do the ever-changing fashion trends influence men? Well, not really. Men do care about their appearances greatly, but they don’t have that yen for fashion, let alone shopping like women. Men always had minimal interest about fashion. But, of late, things are looking up.

Men are becoming fashion-conscious like women and are increasingly getting aware about the latest trends in clothing and footwear. Earlier men were content with one particular style of footwear. They used to wear the same pair of shoes to office as well as to a dinner outing. However, times have changed and men now don’t hesitate experimenting different types of shoes with their outfits.

Footwear for men have undergone a dramatic change over the past decade. Newer styles have cropped up of late to keep up with the transition in fashion trends. Men have strutted the streets in boots, oxfords, sandals and loafers.

 

But one footwear which have earned a top place in the list of men’s footwear are clogs. Clogs, especially Swedish clogs for men have gained rapid currency among fashion-conscious men owing to their comfort. Though these shoes are made of wood, they are a breeze to walk in.

 

Swedish clogs took off in the 70’s and were a popular footwear for the labor masses. Since they were robust and durable and protected the feet from harsh elements, they were an instant choice. Most clogs then were made entirely of wood, but there were some which came with tough leather uppers.

After disappearing from the footwear shelves, clogs made a comeback into the fashion scene in the late 2000s with tremendous changes. Though the basic design stood the test of time, the clogs come with premium leather uppers and high quality wooden soles. From a common footwear of the 70’s, these clogs have become a fashion item for men.

Clogs for men come in a myriad of designs and colors so that men can make a style statement with every outfit, be it a suit or a casual wear. These shoes are designed keeping in mind the latest fashion trends. As mentioned earlier, clogs for men have a supportive foot bed and have a curvature which keeps the feet in its place and provides comfort to the feet even after standing in it for extensive hours.

Clogs for men provide ample toe room and do not constrict the toes which keep the feet relaxed for long. Clogs for men come in suede and cowhide leather uppers. The leather used is durable and can withstand wear and tear even if used regularly.

The Style Statement Of Clog Boots

Clog boots are the most artistic format of footwear options that qualify for being the wardrobe staple. The use of clog boot has changed and evolved over a period. At first, they were used by the mineworkers in the form of shoes that would keep their feet safe on the uncomfortable grounds in the minefields. They would provide a stable base to stand and work for long hours without getting tired. Owing to the benefits, the farmers used the clog boots to manage the toil in the field as well.

With industrialization, the state of working changed and men were no longer required to wear these boots. There was a lull in the making of the clog boots for the long span, and then some designers delved deep into the past to come up with designs for clog boots that would change the way people looked at these footwear options. The models were drastically changed, but the essence of wearing the shoes was still intact. In other words, the points for which clogs were coveted concerning comfort were still prevalent in the designs.

Purchasing the clog boots as a wardrobe staple

Since the shoe styles are so subtle and chic that they can easily be used along with most of the dresses present in your wardrobe, they make it on the top of the list of style staples. Men and women use the clogs alike, reaping the benefits of keeping the feet comfortable and legs relaxed even if they have extended hours of standing jobs. When you walk into the market, planning to purchase the clog boots, you will come across options that will take you by surprise. The face of clogs has revamped from being only boots to sandals, peep toes and stylish strappy heels in varied color options.

The distinctive selling point

Most of us may not understand the point in wearing clogs, but the fact is that the soles made up of wood will give your feet the extra level of comfort that they need. Leather uppers are made with the highest quality of leather that is hand-picked by the designers. It takes the shape of your feet once you wear it for prolonged hours giving your exquisite feeling that will be a bygone when you opt for other shoe options. They can easily be switched from formal to casual without making you look out of place.

A Concise Insight Into History of Swedish Clogs for Men and Women

Introduction

Whenever we hear the words ‘clogs’, two European countries specifically come to mind: Netherlands and Sweden. Sure, other countries also had their own piece of history on clogs, but these two countries are most predominantly credited with popularizing wooden clogs for men and women and bringing them into fashionable territory. 

As similar as the name may sound, Swedish clogs are very different from Dutch clogs. Dutch clogs typically had an entire shoe built of wood with closed backs that emphasized durability and protection over everything else as these clogs were traditionally worn by farmers and workers to protect their feet. Swedish clogs on the other hand were always fashionable and came in different designs, putting more emphasis on looks and style over everything else, resulting in clogs being welcomed to mainstream use.

History of Swedish Clogs

Swedish clog shave been used in Sweden since over hundreds of years. The main reason why clogs were the preferred choice of footwear was because wood was available in plenty. Wood was inexpensive, could be easily worked on and made shoes durable. This lead to making of the first Swedish wooden clogs that started out as staple footwear for farmers and factory workers in early 1800s. There were also variants that were used for casual use, but discovery of leather and other shoe making materials meant not many preferred to be seen in public wearing clogs.

 

Rise of Clogs in 1970s

Sometime in the 70s, top fashion houses of the fashion industry were looking to start a new footwear trend among women, and turned to clogs. This led to evolution of traditional Swedish clogs into their modern avatar which uses not only their trademark wooden construction, but also different materials such as leather and suede. The general public from different parts of the world who had never even heard about clogs started to like the. Clog footwear were hailed as a top fashion icon of the 70s, and it was just the beginning of clog fashion.

Wooden Clogs Today

Today, there are countless clog sellers available, both online and offline, selling all kinds of clogs in different styles and designs. However, not all are authentic Swedish clogs; in fact, most international clog sellers have no history of selling clogs, jumping on to the bandwagon by making their own take on clogs. While the clogs they sell are good, they do not carry centuries’ worth of history in them like traditional Swedish clog makers do. If you want the authentic Swedish experience, always prefer to buy wooden clogs from original Swedish clog makers.