The Magic of Swedish Christmas

 In Sweden, 24th December is the highlight of Christmas. The whole family is together, and after enjoying the traditional Christmas smorgasbord, everyone is waiting for that special knock on the door, which means that Santa Claus has arrived with the presents for everyone. And not surprisingly, some of those presents hide a pair of good old Swedish wooden clogs.

A few reasons why Swedish Christmas is amazingly wonderful

The 24th of December, often called the Swedish Julafton is the day when people gather together, eat, open presents, wear their comfortable clogs, and have a lovely time together. Although every family has their rituals, one of the favorite Christmas traditions begins in the afternoon when everyone gathers around the TV to watch an hour-long Christmas special of Disney classics. Delicious food, a visit from Santa himself, gift opening, and quality time with loved one's guarantee, without a doubt, a wonderful Christmas evening. And this is where a few pairs of warm winter clogs or clog boots play a significant part and emphasize the holiday vibes. 

The abundance of food and decoration

Julbord (Christmas buffet) is a variety of delicious foods served in a buffet, where you’ll find almost everything from ham, pork, turkey, and meatballs to pickled herring and smoked salmon. There is also raisin bread, mini hotdogs, salads, potatoes and vegetables, rice pudding, and the traditional sweet saffron bun with raisins called Lussekatt.

When it comes to decoration, there’s an overall focus on natural materials like wood, felt, and greenery, as well as a lot of the classic colors such as red, green, gold, and silver. On Christmas Eve, ever-present candles are placed in the candle holders, creating a beautiful, romantic display. One of the typical traditions is also to string the national flag around the tree. The overall result is a typically refined, minimalist, and modest look.

Christmas is about giving

Swedes expect a great deal from their Christmas. Everyone does their best, home is warm and bright, and the presents are numerous. On Christmas Eve, after dinner, the family gathers to wait for the presents. Usually, an adult family member or friend dress up as Santa, knock on the door and hand out the gifts to the family.

So, if you want to evoke a bit of the lovely Swedish Christmas vibe, what would be the best presents you give the friends and family?

There will never be a Swedish present as classic as a Dala horse. Made and painted by hand, this beautiful wooden figure is a classic symbol of Sweden.

Fika. A magic Swedish word is a perfect option for Sweden lover anywhere in the world. In short can be described as coffee, sweet pastries, and coziness. In the form of a gift, it can be a mug, blanket, aromatic tea, scarf, or candle. And, of course, a pair of Swedish wooden clogs or clog boots.

Why wooden clogs?

A specific sound of wooden clogs evokes Swedish countryside, red wooden houses, and Swedish forests. Although they aren’t always flashy, traditional Swedish clogs are made from natural materials such as wood and leather. With special attention to the anatomically constructed wooden footbed that provides an optimal angle for support and posture, clogs are both healthy and practical footwear. Also, clogs reflect all the qualities of Swedish design: functionality, durability, reliability, and simplicity. Nordic tradition (especially the climate) has a bearing on the color palette of Swedish wooden clogs: white, black, beige, grey, with small bursts of earthy or pastel colors.  A clog can be any footwear made on natural wooden bottoms: traditional open-back clogs, closed-back clogs, clog sandals, clogs boots, etc. The choices are numerous, and we are sure there is a perfect Christmas pair for you out there.

Why You Should Incorporate Clogs Into Your Daily Fashion?

The love-affair women have with clogs have been the talking point for more than a decade now. The grace and daintiness clogs bring to a woman’s feet is something women find too hard to resist. Every woman loves to walk with an air of confidence and a good pair of shoes can give her that kick of self-belief. Clogs have given women the licence to flaunt their style and personality with aplomb. It’s good to see women stomping around in clogs not caring what other people think. Clogs have made walking a little more fun.

Shoes create a big impact on our physical appearance and also on our psychology. When we put on the right shoes, we feel different. We feel physically transformed. Wearing the correct shoes accentuates your dress and complete your look as a whole. TV shows such as ‘Sex and the City’ and fashionista celebrities are the reason why the cult for fashionable and expensive shoes have developed over the years.

Clogs have burst into the fashion scene at the opportune moment when the demand for fashionable shoes had shot up. A perfect accessory for the hip and fashionable women folk, clogs speak up much more than other shoes. The clumsy, humble shoe of the yesteryears reformed itself into a glitzy fashionable avatar and took the fashion statement to the next level.

Wearing clogs is fun and extremely comfortable. The moment you slip your feet into a clog, you will feel as if your spine clicked into its place. The arch-bed and the insole design of wooden clogs supports your entire feet and provides you excellent comfort. The shoes are ergonomically designed for those who have to stand or walk around the whole day. The uppers are made of genuine high-quality leather. Genuine leather is not only breathable but also adjusts itself to the shape of the feet.

Clogs come in cheerful designs and bright colors which is enough to put a smile on the face of the wearer. One of the best things about clogs is that you can wear them with any outfit. Clogs are the only shoes in the shoe fraternity which carry such a trait. Boot cut jeans with a slim top and a scarf can look beautiful with cherry red or black clogs. Similarly, a maxi skirt with a loose sweater and high heel clogs will look amazing. With such funky designs and awesome color choices, you can walk around in clogs whole day with a proud gait and never feel the pangs of weariness.

Got an ill-fitted Sandal? We Have the Solution for You!

Your favorite pair of clog sandals that you bought last week are not fitting like they did at the store? Do not worry, we have a solution for you. At the first place, an ill-fitted pair must not be bought. But then, it is also an undeniable fact that they somehow sneak into our wardrobes. For instance, they were a gift or they were perfect fit in the first time, for the first few days they were an ideal footwear or simply because they were a shot-in-dark. Whatever be the reason, it is heartbreaking to find that they are not comfortable may be because they are too tight or too loose. In case if you cannot return or have started to use them for few days, relax. We have brought some of the most widely used solutions for tackling issues related to size.

If sandals are too tight

It happens in the case when you have bought a pair of sandals in sale, say a sale of women clog sandals. There, seeing the cheesy discounts, we sometimes get astounded and just buy without paying much attention to other factors like comfort or size. But, if the sandals are too tight, they can be stretched. You can easily find a lot of shoe stretching tools in the market. Also, you can also get someone to do this job for you. It will take a week for the professional cobbler to get the sandal fit into your feet. The third option is that you can reserve it for winter use. That is the time when the feet shrinks a bit, so may be that time you can rock those pair of clog sandals.

If sandals are too loose

Same as the case with small size, it can also happen that sandals get too loose after few days of wearing them. In such a situation, the feet may get blisters due to recurrent sliding out of feet in loose sandals. However, there are ways to get them in perfect fit. Firstly, the straps in sandals itself is a great option to let them fit into the size of your feet. In case that does not works out, you can also get them altered according to your size. But, it is highly recommended that you must opt for a professional cobbler who can help you just right with it. Finally, in case your sandals have some sort of heel, then you can go for heel grips.

If Sandals prick your feet

Then, the best solution that can save you from pricking sensation in your feet is moleskin. They prevent the feet from blisters and add to the comfort of the wearer.

Best Footwear for Orthopedic Problems

It is in the nature of humans to let the grass grow under their feet and not act until they realize it’ll be too late for their actions to have any impact on the situation. This is true for most of our daily activities. A lot of us ignore the apparently ‘minor’ health issues and act on them only when it exceeds our tolerance limits. An example of this is our feet and ankle problems that we tend to overlook (until it makes us limp). The cause of such issues are plenty- one of them is wearing the wrong pair of shoes.

When it comes to women’s footwear, more focus goes to making the shoes look fashionable. Comfort and orthopedic requirements are disregarded by most shoemakers. The handful of functional footwear that is available unfortunately is not in agreement with the current fashion requirements for footwear. So, what can we do about this situation? Clogs for women can be the solution for this problem.

History of clogs:

Made of wood and leather, clogs for women and men date back to the year 1230 to which the oldest clogs, discovered in Nieuwendijk in Amsterdam belong. Originally, they were made for the working people of those times. Fishermen clogs had pointed toes to pull in the fishing nets, whereas for the agricultural workers, clogs were rounded for easy movement in the muddy fields.

Wooden clogs are the best footwear when it comes to functionality and comfort. The following features will explain how and why:

Wood used:

Mostly, alder, lime, aspen, poplar, and willow wood are used. Alder is used in the clogs made in the US as it is widely available and has the desired properties (discussed below).

Properties of the wood used

The wood used is neither too hard (as it might chip or crack with use) nor too soft (as it has to withstand the wearers’ weight).

The wood has an open grain structure to absorb perspiration and keep the feet dry.

It is strong yet lightweight.

The wood used in most clogs for women (alder wood) can resist stains to a great extent.

Footbed design

Most shoe designs exert too much pressure on the heels that can cause orthopedic problems like heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon injuries as well as adult acquired flatfoot.

The footbed of these clogs for women are orthopedically designed to give metatarsal arch support and can hold up the scaphoid.

The carved-in arch and roll of these clogs allow for even weight distribution.

The rolling motion of the wood used in these clogs takes up a major portion of the strain exerted on the feet while walking.

Leather uppers:

The wet lasted cowhide leather is attached to the footbed firmly which makes for a snug fit for all feet shapes, sizes and types.

Swedish Clogs, You’ll Want to Live in

How many times have you sacrificed comfort, or let’s be honest, tolerated outright pain for style? Yes, there is a fix for this one, don’t buy uncomfortable shoes no matter how cute they are instead opt for classic and timeless pieces that will add to your wardrobe. Now, you might be eager to know what’s that real deal?  The answer is Swedish clogs, back in the game and they are here to stay.

The big question isn’t who would wear clogs? It is: Who doesn’t want to wear clogs? These wooden sole, chunky shoes are spotted by every fashionista who knows the style and ease it offers. Swedish clogs are ideal for women who want to flaunt but with ease, but if you think they are wearisome or uncomfortable you’re in for a surprise.

You don’t have to be a farm farmer to walk in clogs, Swedish clogs come with a vast array of styles and can be worn in any season and any occasion with any outfit. Contrary to what people may think, clogs are made of breathable wood of good quality which makes them a best fit to be worn even in summer or in winters. No one likes sweaty or cold feet to have and as just you like to dress up you should also look for great wearing comfort for your feet. Clogs, a minimalist pair of footwear, can be accommodated with any of your outfits being it dresses, skirts, trousers or jeans. These all season Swedish clogs are perfect for those who want simplicity of a step-in/step-out style. It isn’t always easy to find glamour and comfort at one place but considering the heel and slide profile, a clog can be the most comfortable footwear to choose.

Finding footwear, especially for women, that’s probably comfortable and attractive and can be worn at the workplace or for formal use is a challenging task. But once you step your feet into Swedish clog you will never want to switch to other footwear.

What to look for in a pair of Swedish clogs for women?

●     Lightweight, keeps clogs comfortable to walk in without any difficulty.

●     Choose a model with padded instep for extra comfort.

●     Clogs with laces or adjustable straps for flexibility.

●     Genuine leather is ideal. If leather feels stiff at first, don’t worry, it will eventually soften with wear.

●     And last but not the least, pair your clogs with socks to give a chic look.

●     Constructed with a thick PU sole, which makes the clog softer and quieter to walk in.

●     Clogs with raised heels put the foot in an optimal angle for support and posture.

How I Came To Love My First So Called Unfashionable Wooden Clogs?

Since I got out of college, I was in desperate need of getting self-dependent and pay for my own tuition for further studies I wanted to pursue. I guess this thought comes into everyone’s mind when they get past teenage years. I knew this, as it wasn’t easy for me to get a job as my age stood as a hindrance and no vacancies showed up.

This is when my mother came as a saving grace and told me about her first job. She was a waiter at a chic restaurant. This wasn’t what I was looking forward to as a career option, but I decided to give it a shot. So I went ahead and applied to a number of restaurants in the vicinity and got a call from two.

As I put on my work cap, I thought I would own a restaurant like that one day. I could see myself managing a lot of things around and the manager also praised me on a number of points. All was going well until I started feeling physically exhausted at the end of the day and my calves ached badly.

I thought this would go away but it really slowed down my working ability. This is when my manager suggested I should get myself a pair of wooden clogs that were on sale in the market. I thought that those clogs wouldn’t suit me as they were hefty and somewhat unfashionable.

I avoided this until I had to visit a doctor and to my surprise, he even suggested me to get the same pair of shoes. This is when my mom intervened and told me that it was a compulsion now. She told me to take the day off and took me to the wooden clogs store nearby. I walked in feeling uneasy about what I was about to experience.

But today I can firmly say that those pair of clogs has saved me from the bad aches which I had experienced earlier. Clogs are perfect for those who have jobs that involve standing for long hours. The perfect arch and the solid soles give you a comfortable platform to walk on. Moreover, it supports the back, unlike the heels that I wore that was slowly killing my back. 

Practical and Fashionable Style Guide for Men’s Shoes

Men’s fashion has been grabbing eyeballs globally with the new and old styles that are transforming into mainstream trends as men are becoming more fashion-forward. In their endeavor to become more stylish, a lot of men end up wearing the wrong pair of trousers or shoes.  

Men’s footwear has been scrutinized by the fashion police as it is very easy to go wrong with their shoes. On one hand, there is the style factor and on the other, there is comfort, both of which have to be borne in mind. We all know that comfortable shoes are a little towards the uglier side (unfortunately), whereas those stylish shoes kill your feet when worn for a few hours. How do we find the perfect balance of style and comfort and where?

Do not lose hope as we are here to guide you to the best shoes for men. We will also educate you on the basic features of a great pair of men’s shoes. So let’s get started. 

•  The basic idea is to be comfortable, which will reflect as confidence in the way you carry yourself. If the tapered end of your favorite shoes squeeze the life out of you, then just ditch them and take to something much more comfortable with ample toe room like men’s wooden clogs.

•  Always keep in mind the toe spring, which is the space between the toes and the ground. Ideally, the toe spring should be enough to fit in a pencil, right beneath the toe. The toe spring lets you move forward naturally in the process of walking by projecting the feet forward for the next step. It is very important for the pronation of the feet. 

• Most shoemakers disregard toe spring and make completely flat, razor sharp shoes that look good but prolonged wear can cause plantar fasciitis. Anatomically designed shoes like men’s wooden clogs have sufficient toe spring that doesn’t compromise with the aesthetics of these shoes.

• The last shape should complement the arch of the wearers’ feet. While some men are flatfooted, some have a prominent arch and some men have neutral feet which are considered ideal. Men’s wooden clogs have an orthopedically correct footbed carved out of alder wood for optimum arch support for all feet types in men.