Reader, I think I have a problem. No matter the weather or what I’m wearing, I keep looking for a pair of clogs. It has become an addiction. Forget the sneakers, forget the boots, forget the return of the ballerina. I even wonder what my sister-in-law will think of me wearing clogs with my bridesmaid dress to her wedding in a few weeks. I’m kidding, of course, but I would if I could.
My relationship with Holland’s biggest export didn’t start that way. They don’t look particularly easy to wear, and I didn’t want to be the little mouse clipper in the Telegraph newsroom. But then I tried a pair of £175 Taylor clogs from Sezane… I didn’t expect them to be comfortable. I didn’t know my feet would slip into it like a pair of gloves. I did not expect to receive compliments wherever I went. And they add three inches to my height without hurting my feet, which is a big deal when you’re 5-foot-4. If my clogs don’t go well with my outfit, I change my outfit, not my shoes.
Haute couture is also about having a love affair with clogs. There are 46 different pairs on Net-a-Porter alone. Chloé made a pair, as did Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant. Loewe’s bold, curly version is a reliable bestseller. Over there in New York, the No 6 clog boot has become a cliché ‘Brooklyn mom’ – yet I’m tempted to buy a pair anyway.
However, you don’t need to buy a designer pair to pull off this look. In fact, specialist clog brands lend a certain authenticity to the look. The Swedes do it particularly well – Lotta from Stockholm, Swedish Hasbeens and Kitty Clogs are the names to know. Birkenstock’s Boston clog is a more comfort-focused iteration; if you have the cash to spare, consider Brunello Cucinelli’s £970 Woven Leather.
One important element unites them all, however. Summer shoes often require tedious maintenance, but the clog is pure ease; just slip on and go – no pedicure required.
The details to remember
- Roll up your pants or jeans to let clogs take center stage
- The clog is synonymous with easy summer style, so pair it with sun-bleached linen and soft pastel denim
- Choose a neutral color because you’ll want to wear them with everything
And a top tip…
Socks and sandals might be a no-no, but socks and clogs? So Chic. Geneviève Sweeney is my favorite source. Try these: Solline Glitter Socks, £16, Genevieve Sweeney.
Top image: Tamara wears a linen shirt, Reiss, £95; organic denim cropped jeans, £165, Me + Em; Classic closed clog, £295, Ancient Greek Sandals