Crocs, the Foam Clog That is Here to Stay…

November 10, 2021

A champion of meme-culture, middle-school-era Facebook photo memories, and Balenciaga runway shows, the footwear company Crocs seems to have massively capitalized on the popularity of both irony and nostalgia as it racks up millions selling its iconic foam clogs. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Colorado, Crocs went public in 2006 and remains a leading footwear brand today. What started out as a breathable boat shoe quickly took its place as both a household name and a staple comfort shoe.

Image via

If we are giving credit where credit is due, Crocs has the middle schoolers of the 2000’s to thank for its rapid success. While the chunkiness and meme-ability of the Croc may account for their current trend-topping status, pre-teens were instantly attracted to the customizability and durability of their unique design long before the fashion industry recognized the ingeniousness of the Crocs design.

I, of course, am a loyal consumer, having hopped on the Crocs trend not once, but twice, in my lifetime thus far. I remember my first pair, a classic colorfully marbled set of holey foam slip-ons with a few too many Jibbitz. I was a strap in front kind of gal. Fast forward ten years, and I was buying my second pair with a similar vigor. There’s something about choosing your color amongst dozens of options, carefully selecting Jibbitz to match your personal style, and knowing no one else will have the same pair as you. This time around, I went for the Classic Bae Clog in black, with one Jibbet: a varsity letter “G” for my first initial.

Image via

No doubt, my purchase was influenced by the viral collaboration between Crocs and Balenciaga, which first debuted in 2018, as Balenciaga painted their spring ready-to-wear show with the now-iconic platform Crocs in a variety of classic Crocs colors. The platform foam clogs from this collaboration still boast resale values upwards of $700. Taking advantage of the success of this collaboration, and likely in anticipation of their next collaboration, Crocs released their own designs of the platform sandals. Although they retail for about a tenth of the price of the original platform Croc, I wouldn't describe paying $70 for a pair of Crocs as a ‘deal.’ Regardless, as Crocs continues to vamps up designs to mimic the trends set by its luxury fashion collaborations, the brand may be sneakily changing its image from comfortable and functional to trendy and chic

Image via.

As is most likely common knowledge following an inundation of Instagram ads, the Crocs x Balenciaga duo joined forces again this past summer in June 2021 for Balenciaga’s spring ‘22 ready-to-wear show. This time, the team presented two new takes on the classic Croc clog, both a heeled version and a rain boot version, which are now available to purchase worldwide. What was once a footwear brand enigma, Crocs is entering the realm of mainstream fashion.

Images via

Of course, Crocs is just as popular off the runway. Keep a sharp eye out, and you’ll see them everywhere. They tend to blend in, at this point. So, why the dramatic second Crocs x Balenciaga collaboration push? I’m interpreting this move by Crocs as a pointed overstatement: a quarantine go-to slipper for many, Crocs aren’t going anywhere as folks are back in action. The glamour of the heeled format contrasted by the durability of the industrial boots serves as a testament to the versatility of the iconic foam clogs, colloquially referred to as Crocs.

Afterall, Balenciaga is known for their dramatic statements. Crocs just had to phone an old friend.

Featured image via

Nike's Erasure of Disability: The Marketing Mishaps of the GO FlyEase

February 12, 2021

Last week, Nike unveiled the Nike GO FlyEase, the first hands-free sneaker. It’s got a slipper-like design, where you can easily slide your feet in without bending over. Unlike a slipper, however, once your foot is in, it conforms to your foot the way a normal sneaker would.

There’s no doubt that these sneakers are cool. The color design itself makes it worth a buy. But I would advise you to stop and think about the design as a whole. It may be an intuitive conclusion for some, but for the rest of you: this shoe is an enormous benefit to those with disabilities.

In fact, it was actually dreamt up by Matthew Walzer in 2012, who has cerebral palsy. At 16 years old, he wrote a letter to Nike explaining his difficulties in tying his shoes and was subsequently invited to consult on a design for a sneaker that would fit his needs. It is a heartwarming story, but it has ultimately been pushed under the rug.

Nike hasn’t advertised the shoe in this way: one of their promotional videos, “Behind the Design,” did not mention the shoe’s accessibility or Matthew Walzer at all. The video featured some of its creators who discussed the technicalities of the design, but it showed vignettes of seemingly abled people using the shoe: a woman carrying a plant, a man carrying boxes, a yoga enthusiast carrying a bunch of yoga equipment.

While some of the models do have disabilities such as deformities of their hands/arms, they are very easy to miss. I actually missed it the first time I watched it. Plus, those are only a fraction of the disabled population this shoe could appeal to. In doing so, the message Nike is sending is that it’s a shoe for busy-bodies who simply have their hands full, not for those who physically cannot put on a sneaker.

This simple advertising technique has resulted in people across the Internet claiming that the design is “lazy.” Nike isn’t even using the word “disabled” when it comes to the shoe, further drawing attention away from how important the design is. By not acknowledging the design’s history and further marketing it as a shoe “for all athletes,” as they say on their website, disability itself is erased. Ultimately, Nike is leading an ableist campaign for this shoe.

Screen Shot 2021-02-07 at 2.16.12 PM.png — Image via

Another reason this marketing is flawed is that by advertising it as something that will appeal to everyone, those who don’t have a need for it will start purchasing it. This will drive supply down, but demand is high, so as us UChicago economists know, the price will go up. The already-expensive shoe (which is itself a problem) will become even less affordable. But for Nike, this is all great business. If they were to advertise it as a shoe that was catered towards the disabled community, they would be pressured to make their price more affordable and it would be appealing to a smaller market, potentially resulting in lower profit.

So while Nike is playing its own game, I challenge you to resist. I have to admit—I really want them, but I know that I can buy the shoes at a later time. Allow those who actually need them to purchase them first. Furthermore, educate those who claim the design is lazy, and instead, as one individual tweeted, say: “The design isn’t lazy the marketing is.” Many are claiming this shoe is a win for disability, and it certainly is. But we need to acknowledge the erasure inherent in the marketing strategies from this powerful company, and how they can affect the purchasing habits and mindset of our population.

Cover image via

Kawhi Leonard's Jolly Rancher x New Balance Collection

December 3, 2020

“Uh, I’m a fun guy…”

NBA star and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard may have introduced himself to the press as a “fun guy,” but he wore a soulless expression and spoke with a mumbling monotone that, to most people, would not exactly impart “fun guy” energy. After realizing the awkwardness of the exchange, Leonard let out a “laugh” — a grating, idiosyncratic guffaw that sounded more like a robot attempting to imitate how humans laugh. And so millions of memes were borne of the stoic Leonard, who has always been perceived as an odd character in the NBA, even before all the jokes about his laugh.

Leonard, who has two NBA Championships and Finals MVPs as well as multiple All-Star and All-NBA accolades to his name, has become particularly hailed for his effortlessly effective play. No matter the situation, Leonard makes plays as if he is just going through routine motions. He seems to mindlessly stick his hand out and somehow end up stealing the ball; he hits tough fadeaway jumpers and 3-pointers in a mechanical fashion; while most players emphatically celebrate after dunking, Leonard just turns around and expressionlessly runs to the other end of the floor as if he made a simple layup. There is no exertion, emotion, or extravagance with Leonard’s game — he is a machine both on and off the court.

And yet, Leonard has recently collaborated with New Balance on a new sneaker collection, expanding on their past work with him on his signature shoe, and the results are anything but simple and boring. Leonard and New Balance teamed up with the Jolly Rancher candy brand — surprisingly, the colorful candies are apparently Leonard’s favorite — to concoct a flashy line of shoes that make us all reconsider Leonard’s apathetic façade. The collection primarily consists of two new colorways of the KAWHI, Leonard’s signature shoe, as well as new colorways of the New Balance 327 and BB480. A pair of sandals and a few t-shirts round out the ensemble, but the main focus has always been on the sneakers, partly because of the dissonance between the collection’s Jolly Rancher-inspired vibrance and the ostensibly deadpan Leonard.

Leonard debuted the new “Original Flavors” colorway of the KAWHI on the court in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, and its bright design popped from the get-go. Its polychromatic look draws from the Jolly Rancher candies’ colors — the toe is adorned in bright blues and purples; the outsole flashes with lime green notes; the heel panel is plated in brilliant red. The tongue’s orange-yellow shade serves as a relatively subdued backdrop for an amusing graphic: a modified Jolly Rancher logo that replaces the brand’s name with Leonard’s and the usual smiles of the fruit cartoons with Leonard-like deadpan expressions. Leonard finds other subtle ways to impart his unique touch on the shoe as well — his trademark cornrows inspired the shoe’s stitching patterns, the eyelets are based on his car’s tail lights, and his jersey number is positioned right ahead of the lacing. Even the shoe’s functionality shows traces of Leonard’s game: the nitrogen-infused FuelCell midsole and the Torsion Bar outsole provide additional compression, stability, and bounce, which are all essential for Leonard’s trademark pull-up jumper.

The KAWHI’s “Blue Raspberry” colorway, which dropped at a later date and with more exclusive availability, is similarly eclectic but a touch more subdued in its aesthetic. The various shades of electric blue lend a cohesive and comfortable element to the shoe, which also sports a golden upper and tongue. The side stitching patterns blend more effortlessly into the shoe’s palette — as opposed to the red, purple, and blue layers of the stitching in the “Original Flavors” colorway, the layered shades of blue accentuate the stitching pattern just subtly enough without being a little too ostentatious. As a cutesy touch, the shoe features a blue raspberry cartoon character on the upper on its right side; the anthropomorphic fruit mirrors Leonard’s deadpan expression and famously awkward laugh. In a way, this shoe and its inclusion of this little cartoon almost humanizes Leonard in a way — he is just as aware as all of us that his personality and laugh are peculiar, and he pokes fun at himself alongside us and capitalizes on the opportunity to solidify his brand.

The Jolly Rancher x New Balance collection’s sneaker set is rounded out with some 327s and 480 Lows. New Balance 327s are, in general, more retro-styled, paying homage to the lifestyle sneakers of the 70s. Their color palettes are often more subdued, and even when they possess more zesty color schemes, they still maintain a look that one could wear to a casual office gathering or a country club (such as with Casablanca’s 327s, which were dubbed by many to be the “shoe of the summer”). Leonard, however, chose to take the humble 327 aesthetic and turn it on its head, splashing the shoe with electric blue and green. In spite of — or, perhaps, because of — this clash, the shoe still manages to look sleek and appealing. The gradation of the blue from dark to light, starting from the “N” of the New Balance logo, tempers the shoe’s flashy presentation, and the green bottoms offer a complementary splash of color on the studded tread.

As for the BB480s, which are inspired by classic basketball shoes in their design, the colorway tries to strike a conservative balance between subtle and showy, but it does not exactly find its identity. While the blue raspberry-inspired lining around the logo achieves an aesthetic harmony, the cartoon characters on the white tongue neither stick out or blend in enough to justify their presence on the shoe’s design. The tread displays a gradation of layered colors to symbolize the assorted candy flavors of Jolly Ranchers, but the rest of the simple and predominantly white shoe lags behind in terms of ornateness. And while any kind of “drip” is tolerated on the court, 480 Lows, despite being inspired by basketball shoes, are lifestyle shoes. These shoes teeter on the cusp of versatility in everyday fashion, but they might prove to be a little too loud — or not loud enough — in some situations. However, evaluated in a pure vacuum, the shoe is certainly aesthetically pleasing — it may just be lacking in utility as a fashion piece.

One of the most major revelations about this collection, however, is not just that Jolly Rancher-inspired color schemes work surprisingly well on basketball shoes — it is that Leonard is much more complex than he lets on. He may seem like a soulless robot and laugh like an alien learning to walk among humans, but he has a genuine, if not flamboyant, sense of humor and style. Moreover, in an age in which sneaker designers try to one-up each other by producing trendy piece after trendy piece; in an age in which most basketball shoe titans of the NBA — LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and the like — possess grand and brazen personalities, Leonard’s authenticity is refreshing. He is content to be himself and return to his humble roots of eating his favorite candy as a child, and the Jolly Rancher x New Balance collection shines with nostalgia and excitement because of his individuality. It may still be difficult to believe, but, as he once told us, perhaps Kawhi Leonard is a “fun guy” after all.

Featured image via

‘Stocks and Socks: Hot or Not?

July 12, 2017

Birkenstock shoes have finally reemerged from their cold-weather hibernation, to the delight of some and the disgust of others. In recent years, Birkenstocks shoes have become increasingly popular among teens. They come in varying shapes, sizes, and designs, as well as different comfort levels (I personally prefer the soft footbed ones best).

As Birks, also mockingly-called “Jesus sandals”, begin to resurface in tandem with rising temperatures, people have begun talking about them again. The latest debate is an old one, but still a fun topic nevertheless. Some may have a strong opinion about the sandals themselves, but many more hold stronger opinions about the combination of ’stocks and socks. It goes like this: in the days when it’s warm enough for birks but too cold for toes, you must compromise. The solution is simple: slip on a pair of socks before you slip on your Birks.

Images via, via and via

Many East Coast residents dig the ‘stocks and socks combination, but others think the pairing is both foolish and unfashionable. Some consider it to be a severe fashion faux-pas, but hey, comfort and warmth are sometimes more important, aren’t they? This debate has been going on for years now, but on campus and this summer, I’ve been seeing more and more Birks emerging. Besides, I've always been a proponent of wearing what you want, and not listening to the haters.

Feature image via

No Heel? No Problem.

May 24, 2017

When you aren't among the fashion majority taller than 5'4" (and the average American woman is only 5'5''), wearing heels can be more of a fashion staple than a fashion statement. The comfort of elevation to the average height is always assuring, but comes at the cost of aching feet and constant debate. Are heels worth the pain? Is beauty pain?

I usually err to the side of height over comfort, so my radar for heels is extra sensitive when runway season is in full swing. So the pair of shoes I'm about to discuss deserves all the spotlight and camera time possible. Because it's really really cool.

Saint Laurent has a special place for entertainment in my heart. Anthony Vaccarello has been doing some funky stuff lately with the "mono-boob" dress and the monogram heel that I may still be slightly disturbed by.

Releases of items like the Edie Slingback Pump make the shoe selection more than eye-catching, but nothing beats the visually confusing heel-less shoe. That's right. These heels don't have... heels.

The Fall 2017 collection includes a shoe like no other. With a slightly more forgiving incline than the Edie or Amber Ankle Strap Sandal, the heel-less shoe bears a minimalist aura. Its simplicity in color and display all leads to attention in what isn't there. The lack of the traditional heel is so subtle that you almost don't notice it at first. The intricate details of the flat support make us all wonder: how is this even possible?

Vogue writer Liana Satenstein was absolutely entranced with the science behind this shoe, deferring to Columbia University physicians to explain the mathematical reasoning behind its design. It looks extremely painful and impossible, but science says it's most definitely possible.

The idea of "heel-less" shoes isn't revolutionary. Giuseppe Zanotti and Steve Madden have been making similar minded shoes for a bit, what apparently pervades in the depths of what might be grimy club culture known as gravity shoes. What sets Saint Laurent apart from these otherwise obnoxious family of shoes is its sleek, non-"chunkiness".

Normally tainted by what look like avant-garde disaster details and experimental foot torture devices, heel-less shoes have found a well deserved break. For that, I thank Vaccarello.If the traditional gravity shoes are your man, Saint Laurent's heel-less shoes are most definitely the guy you told your man not to worry about.

Feature image via

The White Sneaker

May 23, 2016

Yes, we know you have been seeing those white Stan Smiths everywhere. But there is a reason why it's so popular--the white sneaker is an incredibly basic yet versatile piece. It instantly transforms your outfit into looking casually chic and effortless. Believe me, half of my shoe rack now consists of white sneakers. While the Stan Smith/Raf Simons have been the most popular, here are a few other favorites:

Common Projects

The Common Project Achilles Sneaker offers a sleeker take on the white shoe, which is why I love it! If you find the Stan Smith to be too bulky, try this pair.

Rag and Bone Kent Lace Up Sneakers