History of Clogs: The Shoe Style’s Evolution Through the Years
Clogs, a distinctive type of footwear with a rich history, have evolved significantly through the years. This enduring style of shoe, characterized by its wooden sole, has been constantly reinvented and adapted to meet the evolving demands of footwear trends throughout the centuries.
Despite its traditional origins, the clog’s ability to blend seamlessly with contemporary fashion trends has secured its place in the 21st-century fashion and footwear landscapes. Modern interpretations of clogs incorporate a variety of materials and designs, from denim and leopard print to foam fur-trimmed and buckle-embellished styles.
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The evolution of clogs, coupled with their persistent presence in the fashion world, demonstrates the relentless pursuit of comfortable and fashionable footwear across eras.
The style, however, is still controversial. Prominent figures in the fashion industry, such as Christian Louboutin, have voiced contrasting opinions on the clog’s aesthetic. In a 2012 interview with GQ, Louboutin expressed his personal distaste for the silhouette.
Here, FN is breaking down the history behind the illusive clog shoe.
History of clogs
The first clog can be traced back to Europe, specifically Amsterdam, in the 1300s. The first recorded clog style, the traditional Dutch klomp, was carved out of a singular wooden block by craftsmen known as bodgers who possessed immense skill. The style was mostly worn by peasants and the lower class because it was cheap and did an excellent job of protecting the wearer’s feet from the elements.
Factory workers and laborers wore clogs, specifically in agriculture, mining, and other trade jobs where comfort was vital. The shoe was renowned for its stability, allowing the front of the foot to fall forward without flexing due to its curved bottom and stiff construction.
The Roman calcei shoe and the Japanese geta sandal have been cited as the wooden footwear’s predecessors.
The Spanish albarca and French sabot clog variations were also exceedingly popular in Europe until the 1800s, when the wooden shoe’s popularity waned. In the 19th century, the inflexible style was utilized for its music-making abilities in a style of rhythmic dance plainly called clog dancing that preceded tap dancing. The style of dance is heavily rooted in Irish, Scottish and English culture and is still practiced today.
Following its entrance into the world of music, the clog style picked up steam in the 70s and 80s thanks to a Swedish variation called a träskor, which featured an open back, leather uppers and durable wooden soles.
Paired with psychedelic florals and bell bottoms, the träskor style of clog was quickly embraced thanks to its relaxed and easy-going attitude that echoed the “hippie” counterculture of the time.
Connie, Mia, Sven and Bastad were just some of the popular clog brands of the 70s. Each brand offered eager fashion-forward audiences a variety of earth-toned silhouettes, sometimes fitted with florals and fringe, at affordable prices. Adam Faith, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, Carole King, Eva-Marie Saint and Melissa Gilbert were just some of the celebrities that gravitated towards the style during its peak.
The 90s and 2000s further embraced the clog style. Founded in 2002, Crocs was one of the most prominent brands to take on the clog style, making for the most notable development in the silhouette’s success. Embracing its naturally clunky and awkward silhouette, the clog thrived within those decades, seen on the runway via Viktor and Rolf in 2007 and Chanel in 2010.
Designers who love clogs
The polarizing style made its way onto runways as early as 2003. Viktor & Rolf’s autumn 2007 show featured a reimagining of the clog, seen on models outfitted in garments strung up with studio lights.
A year later, Stella McCartney showed her interpretation of the silhouette during a spring 2008 show accompanied by bohemian-inspired wears. Chanel’s take on the clog for then creative director Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 2010 showing was softer, akin to the aforementioned backless Swedish träskor, featuring wooden soles and neutral leather uppers.
In 2015, Givenchy embraced the style, offering it a grungy spin in leather during the brand’s spring 2016 menswear showing.
Balenciaga famously riffed on the clog style under the helm of creative director Demna Gvasalia, paying homage to Crocs with the launch of their very own clogs fitted with sky-high platforms. Cast in bubble gum pink and bright yellow hues, the viral designer sensation retailed for $850 and was accompanied by Balenciaga-branded charms akin to Jibbitz.
The Balenciaga clogs launched on Barneys’s website on Feb. 1, 2018, in two colorways that were cleared out before the end of the day. In hopes of tapping into another viral moment, Balenciaga released similar ultra-grungy Hardcrocs mules unveiled during the brand’s spring 2022 runway show. The clog meets mule silhouette was also hotly-anticipated before its release and features platform soles and silver hardware.
Anna Sui, Betty Jackson, Christopher Raeburn, Christopher Kane, Gucci, Coach, Maison Margiela and Max Mara have come to include the footwear style in their runway shows, remixing the historic silhouette in unique ways.
Clogs Today
In 2021, fashion and technology company and premium shopping application Lyst reported that searches for clogs were up by 124% compared to the same time last year. Furthermore, searches for wooden clogs rapidly increased by 65% month-over-month.
Lyst cited that some of the most popular searched clog styles of 2021 included Chanel leather clogs, the MIA Alma clogs and Dolce & Gabbana’s heeled clogs.
So, what makes the clog popular even today?
The “ugly footwear” trend is essentially to blame for the resurgence of clogs. Out with the old, in with the ugly. Many people are trading in their tried and true heels in digestible shades for “ugly” silhouettes. It’s an embrace of those styles that are more abrasive and statement-making.
What’s often deemed “ugly” in the footwear scene is uncommon and hard to understand, especially when compared to the average stiletto. Sandals, slides, chunky sneakers, flats, bowling shoes and clogs are all shoe silhouettes that have been dubbed “ugly” thanks to their divisive nature.
Today, the clog style is widely embraced, having been spotted on some famous feet, including Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Rosamund Pike, John Cena, Mario Batali, Whoopi Goldberg and Lucy Hale, among others.
Despite the changes the historic silhouette has gone through over the years, the clog has significant staying power, with no signs of dissipating any time soon. Popular brands that carry clogs include Crocs, Birkenstocks, Dansko, Swedish Hasbeens and Klogs, among others.
About the Author
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
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