By Executive Order, Crocs Aren't Chic

Washington Post ^ | 6/22/07 | Robin Givhan

[Millee]

Crocs have been given the presidential seal of approval but this is not necessarily a good thing.

George W. Bush was photographed recently in a pair of black Crocs -- Cayman style, $29.99 -- as he was heading out from the White House to ride his bike. He wore the clunky resin clogs -- which have ventilation holes and a heel strap -- with a pair of black shorts, a white camp shirt, a baseball cap with the image of an unidentified Scottish terrier and black bike socks imprinted with the presidential seal. He had the backstraps of his Crocs flipped forward so they rested on the top of the shoes -- turning them into slides. This subtle gesture -- coupled with the subdued color -- actually made the exceedingly unattractive shoes look tolerable.

[Millee]

Crocs now rival flip-flops as the most annoyingly omnipresent style of summer footwear. City streets are inundated with shuffling phalanxes of men and women with bright orange, yellow and red Bozo feet.

They're truly hideous.

[AntiKev]

They are the STUPIDEST thing to hit design since the one-sided tank top...

[mnehring]

I can’t believe how many business shows are boosting croc’s stock.. seem to just be a flash in the pan in my opinion, kind of like investing in day-glo in the 80s.

[Hoodlum91]

They are truly ugly, but I’d take them over Heelys any day!

[Paperdoll]

What is this? The fashion scoop du jour? LOL!

[weegee]

SOME entertainers are wearing them in Vegas now!

[Millee]

I had to google that. ;op I think the Heelys look fun though! If I thought I could manage not to break my neck, I’d probably buy a pair.

[sarasota]

I’ve never seen black ones.

[AnnaZ]

I wanted to post that picture! HIDEOUS!

(Caveat: One of my children has a red pair. They were a gift.)

[Millee]

My stupid computer!! You said “entertainer” and my computer shows a picture of some repellent beast. I better call tech support.

[Thrownatbirth]

Damn things are all over my house. I can’t even interest my dog in chewing up the daughter’s clunkers.

[weegee]

The Rosie Horror Picture Show.

[Gingersnap]

I like my Crocs. They are very comfortable and manage to accommodate my foot problems better than most shoes. That said, I wouldn’t wear them to work or to a restaurant.

The writer seemed miffed that people would wear socks with Crocs (and by extension, any sandal-type thing, I guess). I’ve never really understood this objection. Not everybody likes sweaty footwear.

[leda]

truly ugly shoes! the only use i can imagine for them
would be mucky outside work. you could hose ‘em off
when you’re done. :)

[Cecily]

I love my lime green Crocs for wearing outside at my house to do chores, but I wouldn’t wear them anywhere in public that was not the casual section of a resort destination. People wear flip flops in the city too, and they are really no different than Crocs, i.e., extreme casual wear.

Does anyone remember those multi-colored rubber Chris Craft or L.L. Bean rain shoes/boots that were big in the 1980s? I still have a yellow pair and a beige pair of boots.

[Hoodlum91]

That’s why I’d prefer the butt-ugly Crocs. Much smaller possibility of maiming myself with those!

Did you know Heelys aren’t allowed in Disney World? They’ll fine you $150.

[Millee]

lol - bad doggie!!

[Gabz]

I guess I shouldn’t bother telling you I was planning on picking up a pair next week........

I want to get them for working outside, instead of the combat like boots I’m currently wearing.

[leda]

that’s a perfect use for them! i wouldn’t hesitate to
wear them out in your fields but i wouldn’t be caught
dead wearing them to the mall.

[girlscout]

They are! My boss wears them to work. I laughed at him the first time he came in with them on. I told him he looked like a dork ;-) I myself prefer flip flops.