From hate to love: how crocs made their way into our closet

Now you can find sabots in almost any family closet. They are comfortable and practical to wear, look unusual, have a large range of colors, and you can also attach various jibbits to them, so everyone can pick up crocs for themselves. But few people know the history of the brand and how to introduce sabots into their closet, so together with stylist Alexandra Savelieva we tell you about it.

stylist-consultant

As for stylization, I like the combination of Crocs with a tennis skirt, high socks, a sweatshirt and a cap the most.
And in general, they can be added to any look, from a tracksuit to dresses.

History of the brand

In 1999, three friends from the American state of Colorado decided to create a new type of shoe. During a boat trip in the Caribbean, Scott Simans bragged to his buddies about rubber waterproof galoshes that did not slip and did not leave marks on the deck. The shoes were made of croslite, a lightweight foamed synthetic resin. Simans’ friends, Lyndon Hanson and George Boedeker Jr. liked the galoshes.

Together, they envisioned starting their own rubber slipper business. They needed to be comfortable, non-skid, and leave no marks on the deck. They found a Canadian company that produced an amazing polymer material. It was soft, lightweight and incredibly durable. It turned out that shoes made from this polymer actually met all the requirements they set out to meet. They bought the rights to this material and began test production of the shoes. After that, they registered a trademark – Crocs. The company was named after a crocodile, because in profile the first model looked very much like a crocodile’s face.

The first trial batch of 200 pairs was exhibited at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where they were advertised as ordinary soft boat shoes that do not slip and do not rub your feet. The 200 pairs sold out in a matter of hours. The owners soon realized the potential of the shoes they had invented. It turned out that people were ready to wear crocs not only on the yacht, but also at home, on the street, at work. The company began to actively develop and expand around the world. Having gone through several crises, peculiar to any business company, the brand is still popular. Now Crocs sabots are one of the favorite shoes of the generation.

Crocs sabots are worn not only by sailors, but also by medical professionals and athletes. This popularity is due to the fact that it is especially important for doctors and nurses to choose good shoes, because working shifts often involve constant stress and uninterrupted movement. Athletes loved crocs for their softness and lightness, which they want to feel after a hard workout.

Vladislav Titov

three-time Russian squash champion

When you spend six hours a day in sports shoes, the foot feels very uncomfortable, so between training sessions I always change into crocs. The loose fit of these shoes makes me feel like I’m staying barefoot. This helps my recovery between workouts.

How celebrities wear sabots

Celebrities wear crocs to red carpets and have released high-profile collaborations with the rubber slipper brand, and both Kanye West and sports brands have started making similar shoes in 2020.

Justin Bieber’s style is quite relaxed and comfortable. Therefore, crocs fit perfectly into his closet. In March 2021, the singer announced the second collaboration of his personal brand Drew House and Crocs. They were sold out in just a few days, but the pair was made in lavender and yellow colors and complemented with Drew House branded jibbits.

Justin himself has repeatedly appeared in public places in sabots without unnecessary details. He wears them with wide T-shirts or alcoholic T-shirts, tights shorts, and golfers.

Ariana Grande prefers to combine crocs in street looks. She chooses a long hoodie, a voluminous bag and long socks. For more comfort she ties her signature high ponytail. The sabots she chooses are the most classic – white, with no extra details. Everything together looks calm, but sophisticated.

Singer and rapper Nicki Minaj is the complete opposite of Arina Grande. She prefers bright pink crocs with plenty of rhinestone jibbits. She wears them together with the same pink tight sports top and leggings.

Alexandra Savelieva

stylist-consultant

The fact that crocs became popular after the pandemic, along with Birkenstock, is natural. People got used to comfort and after the lockdown they didn’t want to part with it. Also, sandals from this firm are something fresh, but at the same time more affordable than the same rubber boots or sandals from Bottega Veneta. They will dilute any image, making it more relaxed, but will also add a twist. They will look especially epathetic in the regions, as people here are not so sophisticated stylistically and still believe that these shoes are only for the countryside.

Famous collaborations

In 2017, the CEO of the brand was Andrew Reece, who decided that the company needed a strategy that would strengthen the brand’s connection with consumers and allow it to communicate with them more effectively. Collaborations with famous brands and stars were to attract the attention of a younger audience and set the next fashion for crocs.

Crocs managed to get away from the image of a manufacturer of boring rubber slippers by cooperating with famous designer brands. Sabo first appeared on the catwalk in 2016. Then British designer Christopher Kane together with the brand presented galoshes with marble print, with decorative stones and with fur at the show.

A year later, Balenciaga designer Demna Gvasalia released pink, lilac, yellow and lettuce models on a ten-centimeter platform with jibbits.

And in 2021 the collaboration took place again, only now the familiar crocs can be bought with a heel.

Alexandra Savelyeva

stylist-consultant

Of course, you can’t wear a model from the collaboration with any image, as they are quite an independent and bright element, but you can wear them with something just as punkish. For example, a loose midi dress made of cotton, a kosuha and these sabots – the image will definitely not leave passers-by indifferent.