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October 12, 2004
Men Who Wear Clogs
There are three guys I know who wear clogs. Each one lives in a different U.S. state. None of them are nurses or doctors.
Clogs are comfortable and even provide terrific support for those with flat feet; however, I seem to be somewhat disturbed over the choice of footwear my male friends have made. I'm not sure exactly why this bothers me, but it does. It's not as if I don't own a couple of pairs myself -- I do, and I am well aware that fashion trends are cyclical (i.e., crocheted ponchos and capes, mini skirts, and the newest old thing, moon boots.) Perhaps I've always viewed clogs as either a girl thing or footwear for nurses and doctors. But men wearing clogs? Hmm. It's '70s hippie attire -- bell bottoms and Huckapoo button-down shirts and Afros and clogs and beads... maybe that's what this is.
Of the three guys, one is wearing his clogs along with his bell bottom jeans, beard and ponytail. The next one has been wearing his clogs with (gasp!) white socks and shorts, and I haven't asked the third guy. (Maybe a flannel shirt and jeans? I'm guessing since it would fit his neck o' the woods.) That nixes the '70s men's style resurgence possibility. So what's going on here?
My friend David, who I haven't seen in quite a while, showed up for our lunch date yesterday wearing a fabulous navy blazer, polo shirt and cords, along with a pair of lace-up suede shoes. His short curly hair had suddenly grown well past his shoulders and had been blown dry, now metrosexually straight. It didn't go unnoticed. The new hair cut/hairstyle, coupled with the full beard he sported made him look like Jesus Christ. (Had I known ahead of time I would have dressed for the Last Supper.) Though momentarily surprised, I realized his new look fit quite well with his NYC and Montauk, New York film producer/surfer boy/spouse/father image. The look suited him for both business and pleasure. I didn't ask him if he wears clogs, but I plan on it.
Many women are aware of the trends in women's fashion, whether they opt for the attire of the moment or not. Men? Sure there are some out there who know a bit about men's fashion but overall, I don't expect a guy's knowledge base to be weighted heavily on the side of fashion. (And wow, doesn't that reek of stereotyping! Shame on me, I don't mean it that way.)
I'm digressing from my obvious dismay over what could be an emerging trend: men wearing clogs. Granted, knowing three guys who wear clogs does not a trend make, so I'm asking the guys: do you wear clogs? If you're not, why not? What are you wearing on your feet? If you are wearing them, is it the men's trend of the moment or is it just because clogs give you feet orgasms?
Inquiring minds want to know! By the way, I've heard that desert boots are making a comeback. :-)
Cindy
Comments
I'm going with the foot orgasm thing.
I have happy feet, my feet are smiling and me (and my feet) scoff at convention. Bah. See -- that was my feet scoffing.
Now, just because I wear clogs, do not for one minute think that my choice of footwear is a metrosexual 'lifestyle' thing. The beauty of clogs is, when your sitting around the bar comparing chainsaws and debating the pros and cons of Fisher snowplows, if anyone is feeling froggy it is a simple matter to transform that clog, with a simple twist of the ankle, into the dreaded "Flying Birkenstock Death Move". Unlike work boots or the common sneaker, clogs have a way of unepectedly launching themselves across a room. It is trivial to convert an accident of design into a deadly means of self-defense.
My Birkenstocks or my life -- the choice is yours.
Brain matter deposited by: Al on October 12, 2004 6:48 PM
Yup, clogs are good for flinging -- so would that be flannel + jeans to go along with those clogs?
p.s. I guess that means you've recovered from whatever it was that was ailing you. Glad to have your sorry 'ol upstate self back. [wink]
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on October 12, 2004 8:03 PM
Yes, I'm feeling much better. I killed the brain tumor with Glenfiddich. Oddly enough, it has the same effect on relationships.
No jeans. We don't do denim in the woods after Columbus Day (think white after Labor Day in the Hamptons). Denim doesn't dry well and anyone who has ever gotten wet camping in jeans in the fall can tell you it takes a LONG time to dry.
We do wool. The itch feeds into the masochistic streak anyone stupid enough to live in a place like this has.
Brain matter deposited by: Al on October 12, 2004 8:46 PM
Doesn't wet wool resemble the smell of a wet dog?
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on October 12, 2004 9:14 PM
Clogs? No. I never really cared much about what I wore, cheap sneakers or good hiking boots worked for me, but I discovered the joys of good shoes (translation: expensive and well-made) a while back. They really do make a difference. But I'm a guy, what do I know? :)
By the way, the Jamboree is back on!
Brain matter deposited by: Ted on October 12, 2004 9:16 PM
Dude, you gotta try some clogs.
Yeah, I laughed and refused to wear them out of the house forever, but I'm telling you, they kick ass. Arch support, ventilation like a sandal and that solid Swedish construction (I'm gonna buy an old Saab any day now).
Brain matter deposited by: Al on October 12, 2004 9:36 PM
My brother-in-law wears clogs. Usually when I see him that's the form of footwear he has on. He also tends to wear a fanny-pack. My sister-in-law said the kids used to dread having him pick them up from school because he 'showed up with his purse and high-heels'. Heh.
I can't believe that those damned crocheted ponchos are back in style. Another one of my reads has one and unfortunately I left a comment about how awful they were without realizing she has one... Oh well.
Brain matter deposited by: Kat on October 13, 2004 2:46 PM
No clogs here. I've found that my feet prefer shoes that cost too much but look great. Occasionally, you'll find me in my Teva's but what I really love, and can't get away with at work, is a good pair of jean's and my soon-to-be-replaced, twelve-year old hiking boots.
Brain matter deposited by: Rob on October 13, 2004 5:16 PM
clogs as in those proper wooden things ? they give you hard skin on your feet but brian may STILL wears them.
Brain matter deposited by: zed on October 14, 2004 3:08 PM
Now she's making fun of my clogs. Next, it will be my cowboy hat.
Brain matter deposited by: clogger on October 15, 2004 12:28 PM
Excuse my ignorance, what the hell is a clog? Seriously. I'm always behind in fashion trends, but I always thought clogs were those wooden shoes the dutch wear.
Brain matter deposited by: Paul on October 19, 2004 12:13 AM
clogs with SHORTS???
Brain matter deposited by: Da Goddess on October 19, 2004 4:31 AM
Ted - I can appreciate the difference of expensive shoes, though you'll never catch me paying $200+ per pair. I prefer to use the money for a plane ticket.
Kat - :-)
Rob - there's nothing like a broken-in pair of hiking boots to make the feet happy.
Zoe and Paul - yes, clogs like the wooden dutch ones, only these aren't made of wood.
Joanie - yup. clogs and shorts. saw it with my own eyes. yikes!
Brain matter deposited by: cindy on October 19, 2004 10:33 AM
Wearing clogs ? YESSSSS ! ! !
Maybe fashion trends are cyclical, but I never care for trends. I have been wearing clogs for nearly 10 years and I've got about 15 pairs: closed or open back, in various colors from very noticeable patent red to the plain black.
And if you were wondering, yes I'm a 40+ man...
Brain matter deposited by: clogfan on November 2, 2004 11:30 AM
Hey All!,
I am a gay guy who thinks there is nothing more sexy than a guy in jeans, white socks and clogs. Don't ask me why, it just does.
Ricky
Brain matter deposited by: Ricky on November 2, 2004 6:04 PM