By Rehan Iqbal
Since Crocs were first invented in 2002, they have been a fairly controversial piece in the shoe market. Crocs have a very unique look which is… well… pretty ugly. Yet Crocs surged to popularity in the first decade of the 2000s and now, there has been a resurgence of Croc wearers. Why? How has such an odd-looking shoe become such a fan favorite?
Crocs Popularity Connected to their History
Crocs were originally invented to be a boating shoe. They were made to be comfortable footwear to wear on boats, and because they function in wet and dry environments, they were named Crocs, after crocodiles.
When were Crocs invented? Crocs were first created in the year 2002 and were unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida. Crocs In 2004, Crocs were still fairly unknown, despite the company seeing some success. Fun fact: around this time, the producers and costume designers of the then-upcoming movie Idiocracy had all the characters in the movie wearing Crocs, specifically because they wanted a futuristic yet stupid-looking shoe. The producers figured no one in their right mind would wear Crocs, making them the perfect choice for the unintelligent characters in the movie to wear. By the time the film came out in 2006, Crocs were already growing in popularity.
In the twenty-plus years that Crocs have been around, the initial design has changed very little. Each shoe has exactly 13 holes in it, though the shoes come in a variety of colors and patterns. Crocs even has a line of work shoes with better arch support for those who have to stand and walk for much of the day. The work shoes look very similar to traditional crocs, but with a thicker sole and no holes.
With the rise of social media and popularity of apps like TikTok, Crocs are now trending once more, with many people showing off their funky foam footwear on the app. For now, it seems that these bizarre shoes are here to stay.
Why Do People Like Crocs?
So let’s talk about it. Why are people drawn to such odd and childish looking shoes? There’s a few different reasons.
Crocs are Comfortable
Crocs are very simple shoes, made of a certain type of foam unique to the brand. They are designed for comfort. They were originally invented as a boating shoe, and as such are very popular as a beachside or poolside shoe. If they get wet, who cares? Just don’t wear socks with Crocs or you may be in for a bad time when your feet get splashed. Wearing socks with Crocs is perhaps the only way to make Crocs look dorkier—and like something your dad might wear.
Crocs are also popular as a house shoe or slipper. In the US and around the world, many people opt to switch to Crocs as soon as they step into the house. Think of it as a slipper with a bit more structure. And you can wear it in public? It’s no surprise people gravitated to such a comfortable shoe, dorky appearance aside.
Crocs are Customizable
Not only do Crocs come in every color under the sun, they even come with patterns. Why not try a camouflage pattern so you can really blend in with the nature around you? Or embrace your inner hippie and go with a tie-dye pattern?
Customization doesn’t stop with colors, either. Ever heard of Jibbitz? It started as a small family company and was eventually acquired by the Croc company itself. Basically, the company offers cute little charms you can attach to one of the 13 holes on each Croc shoe. There’s oh, I don’t know, about a million little charms to choose from.
What better way to express yourself than by adorning your Crocs with cute little ornaments that represent your personality? Does it sound tacky? Well, good. You can’t own Crocs without embracing tackiness, and I mean that sincerely. If you’re going to wear Crocs, have fun with it! Throw on some Jibbitz and really make a statement!
Crocs are Cheap
One big draw for Crocs is how affordable they are. When they were first introduced, they sold for $20-$30 a pair. Nowadays, some Crocs can cost over a hundred dollars, but you can still get the basic model for around $30. So for people looking for a comfortable and inexpensive casual shoe, Crocs are a great option.
Everyone Talks About Crocs
When Crocs first started to gain popularity, a lot of the conversation revolved around how ugly they were. They were the subject of a lot of controversy, with some people staunchly defending them and other people ridiculing them. And like any controversy, this drew a lot of attention. Whether the opinion was positive or negative, people were always talking about Crocs.
Some people bought them sincerely for the advantages of comfort and affordability. Others bought them specifically because they were ugly and the subject of such ridicule. People love an underdog. Some people bought a pair as a joke, and then genuinely appreciated how comfortable they were. Whatever the reason, Crocs soon became a household name and sales skyrocketed.
Conclusion
For many people, Crocs are endearing because of how ugly they are. This isn’t unique to Crocs, either. From UGG boots to Uglydolls to ugly Christmas sweaters, there’s an off-beat, quirky sort of appeal in buying and showing off ugly things. What it comes down to is not taking life so seriously. Why shouldn’t we wear ugly things? Why should aesthetics matter so much? Wearing Crocs is a statement, and that statement is “Hey! Who cares?! I like ‘em!” and honestly, I find that beautiful.
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