Crocs were cool like 18 months ago. Now they're old news.

Crocs were cool because they were different, not because they were ugly. They're not really as ugly as the author makes out (I know, she has to sensationalize).

If you wear a "normal" color like brown, black or navy, they are not nearly as garish as the author purports. What usually makes Crocs seem so striking is their loud colors. A lot of people would wear a neon yellow Croc who would never wear a neon yellow shoe otherwise or certainly not in the circumstances where they wear a neon yellow Croc.

"A Croc is not a shoe; it is a Tinkertoy on steroids"

Other than the color, which I mentioen, how is a Croc that different in appearance from a traditional clog? I wonder if the author would say that clogs are "heinous".

Just like with any other fashion trend, now that your average pasty, fatso from Florida is wearing Crocs, the "cool kids" have definitely decided that Crocs are lame.

I tried on a pair. They are definitely very light. I could see them being handy for gardening, on a boat or as a very casual alternative to flip-flops. But I would definitely not wear most of the colors out there.

I agree with most of your analysis but must take issue with your "average pasty fatso from Florida" comment. It's pretty unusual to see a pasty Floridian. Even the fatties are usually tan. We are, after all, the Sunshine State. Now a pasty Northener/Northwestener? That's more like it.

touche. ok, how about "average, golden-brown fatso from Florida". I agree. people in the PNW are pasty. I live in Seattle. I'm pretty pasty. The other day when the sun came out for the first time in 100 days, I could see through my hand. my bones got sunburned.

Now that's just a blatant falsehood, dawdler. We've had great weather this spring/summer and if you actually live in Seattle, you'd know that! It was 79 and sunny on April 6 (I remember because we moved that day) and we've had week-long stretches of warm, sunny days for months now. Heck, it was 101 at my house two days ago. If your post was intentionally false to keep anyone else from moving here, given how crowded the freeways are already, then I understand.

Trust me. You're just used to them.

MessyONE:

Trust me. You're just used to them.

I whole heartedly agree. I am far from cool or fashionable, but they're just plain ugly. No matter what the color. Every time I see them I am horrified that they're still around. The only place I could see them being acceptable is in a garden or as water clogs, because then I could see function beating out form.

Crocs work very well for those who have abominable foot conditions. SUch as those who are diabetic or those who have chronic plantar's fasciitis. Thumbs up to the crocs' creators for helping us all out and giving us a variety of color and styles to choose from. They are wonderful.

but I have a pair and so does my husband. His are khaki colored, mine are light green. We bought them one day at the mall as we'd been walking around for hours and our dogs were barking.

They are, by far, the ugliest shoes I own and also the most comfortable. I haven't worn them much this season, but if I'm going to be doing lots of walking around, I wear socks with them. I always get this little rub spot on my right foot, and while I love the vent holes, I hate gritty toes.

They may be ugly but are comfortable in the heat. They are great puppy pacifiers! I have a 16 month old German shepard who loves to steal them and gnaw on them!

P.S. I hate the grit too.

I wouldn't Include these shoes in my everyday wardrobe, but I have been considering buying a pair for the beach...

I enjoy playing in the Ocean with my little girl, the sand and stones are hard on my feet..

Seems like a Great shoe to wear into the water for protection....

They ARE wonderful for the beach--yes, you'll wind up with gritty toes, but that goes for any shoe on sand. They certainly do better than flip-flops in that department; I've worn flip-flops to the beach, and I may as well have strapped shovels to my feet. The beauty of the crocs--especially if you're going to be chasing little ones--is that you don't have to worry about taking them on or off or losing them--sand, stones, and water won't hurt them, and they're easy to slip on should you suddenly find yourself needing to leap to the rescue of an over-zealous toddler. ;-) And on the off chance that you and your toddler manage to find SOME substance that will actually give them an odor--which is supposed to be impossible, but toddlers are innovative--you can clean them with bleach--or windex, or just about any odor-busting cleanser you can think of--with no ill effects.

The only problem...if you buy them, you'll wear them. If you wear them, you'll love them. And that's when the insanity sets in...because they're the most comfortable, practical shoes you own, your resolve not to wear them outside of the garden or the beach will inevitably crumble. ESPECIALLY if you have kids--as a member of the young-mommy set, I can tell you they're the hottest thing going, and we've ALL forgotten how dumb they look. It's scary how they play with your mind. If you stare at them long enough, you'll actually convince yourself that you dodged the ugly problem by buying them in black. You'll make all your friends try them on, in the hopes of getting THEM hooked, because if enough people wear them, EVERYONE will forget that they're ugly...everyone, that is, except for the unititiated, who just stare and cluck their tongues and wonder if you got dressed in the dark.

And the scariest part is...you won't care.

In case you couldn't tell, as I'm writing this, my feet are snugly tucked away in the "sensible" black crocs I've been wearing all day...to the mall, to the supermarket, and to visit friends and family.

I bought them for the beach. Honestly.

Re": ...work well for those who have ....foot conditions"

SOOOOOOOO TRUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course people would wear a yellow croc over a yellow shoe. They are considered a sandal. The same as I would always wear a purple sandal, but not a purple shoe. FYI, this is NOT a fashion statement, it's disgusting. These shoes are "cheap and comfortable", but I don't care how much so each of these are, I would never place my foot in one. People consider this an "epidemic", yet that is the same word that we used for the black plague. These shoes are a disgrace to the fashion industry, and somehow they are taking over.

Cros really are ugly, thats true. But they are so convenient, especially for travelling these days. After 9/11, the security measures at Airports all over the world became so intense. Going thru Security checks with Crocs is a breeze. I think this is the reason why they are so popular.

Next time you travel, look at how many of your fello travellers are wearing Crocs. And see how smoothly they move thru Security.

The debut of Crocs was timed just right.......it makes sense to travel with clothes that can be easily removed and replaced.

Hate the look of Crocs. Love their convenience. Especially the Cayman Crocs!

No, they really are--hey, wait a minute! Everyone beat me to the punch!

I have a pair of the Croc flip-flops, but couldn't force myself to go full-Croc.

And my Siamese cat must be related to that German Shepherd--she steals mine and chews them up every chance she gets!