What kind of men's clog would you like to see?
I created the image below months ago as a whimsical commentary on the state of men's footwear. Women have choices when it comes to expressing themselves with fashion. And express themselves, they do. In plain text, cursive, italics, bold, underlining, and all caps.
Men, on the other hand, have had to make do with a No. 2 pencil.
But today on Every Clog Has Its Day, I hope we can take the first step to moving the needle in a new, more exciting direction for men's clogs.
Not that long ago I profiled the young man who had just taken the helm of the venerable Ugglebo clog line, David Giese. (Featured Designer: Ugglebo - Every Clog Has Its Day)
A quick glance at the Ugglebo website makes it clear that this brand is not resting on its laurels. You'll find medium heeled clogs and clog boots and more on their virtual shelves. David and his company are reaching out in a number of ways to spread the gospel of wooden goodness near and far. As he and I were preparing the Ugglebo feature for publication, I told him about an idea that I had. I've seen that the men's clogs that are available are typically created along the lines of traditional Swedish clogs. But I know from e-conversations with a number of my male readers that they are often looking for something more. More cool. More macho. More interesting. More adventurous. More than ordinary. I asked David if he'd be interested in getting input from my readers on what they'd like to see in a men's clog. And he told me most definitely yes.
So what would make a men's clog something to get excited about? A higher, chunkier block heel? A lower flat soled shoe? A robust lug sole? A squared off toe? An ankle boot design? A lace up clog boot?
We've knocked around the idea before on Every Clog Has Its Day. But now we have the ear of someone who's in a position to do something about it. And what's more, if we can get a consensus and enough of a commitment from potential interested buyers of what we may dream up, I think there's a chance we might get our collective vision of a man's clog into the marketplace.
Interested?
Take a moment to think about what you'd like to see in a men's clog design. Then e-mail your ideas to me care of everyclogblog at comcast dot net. Just write a simple description of the features you'd enjoy. Or feel free to nab an image from elsewhere on the web and simply say, "I'd like to see this in men's sizes." Maybe it's not even a clog design at all, just a cool looking shoe that you think would be great with a wooden sole.
There are no wrong ideas here. We're just interested in hearing what people are thinking. (And let me make clear that women are also encouraged to chime in. Especially those of you who find clogs on men to be sexy. What guy wouldn't be interested in wearing a pair shoes that his gal thinks makes him look hot?)
Just to keep this project moving along, I'd love to hear from you by next Friday. You can chime in afterwards, of course. But if we can get some ideas to mull over by next Guy Day Friday, we can take our discussion to the next level online and get some specific input from David and the rest of the Ugglebo team.
I'm excited. The recent clog design contest I held is giving birth to a shoe that never existed before. And although this is not a competition, I'm very hopeful that the outcome will also be something new that we all helped bring into being.
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Ugglebo announces their new website
And while I'm mentioning Ugglebo, I should mention that this venerable clog maker has just launched a new website. What's more, they chosen to break the news to the webosphere via Every Clog Has Its Day. That means that you're some of the first people to find out! Woo-hoo!
And along with that new website, Ugglebo has also launched a number of stunning new designs. Quite a few of which fit in with today's Guy Day Friday theme of "clog designs we'd like to see for men". Just take a look at the new Ugglebo clog boots below.
Philly mid heel clog boot
Philly mid heel clog boot
Aspen mid heel shearling clog boot
Seattle mid heel clog boot
Seattle mid heel clog boot
Seattle mid heel shearling clog boot
Definitely food for thought.
And if that's not enough for you to be mulling over...
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Ugglebo discount offer
While you're visiting the new Ugglebo website, the team there would like you to treat yourself to a discount.
Once you've totaled up your purchases, apply the coupon code below and receive 20% off.
Did somebody say 20% off? Point me to the Ugglebo web store!
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[On my feet as I blog: Cecilia Tidlund, the dynamic force behind the never-fail-to-fit Clogmaster line is in Chicago at the moment to fit customers here. I showed up to interview her for Every Clog Has Its Day, and wound up having a fitting done for myself. More details to come. The hardest part was deciding what shoes to be seen in when I presented myself before her. I'm no stranger to sacrificing a little comfort for the sake of style. But I knew that just would do for an audience with Ms. T! And then I spied my Lindsey clog boots from Multnomah Leather Shop. My custom made pair to the rescue! Thank you, Mark Casperson, for making it possible for me to show up before the Clogmaster (she told me she thought "Clogmistress" just didn't sound right) with no fear!]
This subject is right up my alley. I will be putting my thoughts on paper or send some pics. Ladies the input from you is the bomb. Love the new boots but, alass they stop at 42. It will be great to air my views. The first will be to have male models (I am available) and the second is to make clogs up to size 47(or at least 44) Thank you Ugglebo for listening.
Posted by: Evan | 09/30/2011 at 01:46 AM
Nice looking boots, buy why do the prices border on insane? $319.00 for a pair of shearling boots? Really?
Posted by: Hoosierdaddio | 09/30/2011 at 02:11 AM
As a woman who thinks her guy is unbelievably sexy in his chunky heeled clogs, I would like to encourage all the wonderful gentlemen here to chime in. Make your clog dreams come true! The boots Lindsey has highlighted above are a start, but I know you all can do better. Give us gals something to salivate over---I think you will reap the rewards!
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 09/30/2011 at 08:31 AM
How high are the Maya clogs? I'm thinking of getting a pair in black.
Posted by: john | 09/30/2011 at 10:01 AM
john,
I've sent off an inquiry to Ugglebo to check.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/30/2011 at 10:11 AM
john,
My contact at Ugglebo says
The Maya's heel is 3,9" (10 cm)
And he's going to have his team add the heel heights to the product pages thanks to your input.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/30/2011 at 10:30 AM
I'd happily buy a pair of the Dublin clogs as they are right now, but they don't come in 43. I hope if Ugglebo ever repairs this deficiency in their line-up they'll remember that 20% discount that they ironically offered on Guy Friday.
Posted by: George | 09/30/2011 at 10:30 AM
Thanks. Plan to order today.
Posted by: John | 09/30/2011 at 10:48 AM
@George: snort!
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 09/30/2011 at 02:25 PM
Disappointingly I've had to return 2 pairs of clogs I bought online as they were not true to size and came up small. Grrrr!! So I have bravely bought a pair from Ugglebo, Seine in black size 39, and keeping my fingers crossed that they will fit. Thanks, Lindsey, for the discount code ;o)
Posted by: Jennifer | 09/30/2011 at 03:10 PM
Ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Fredrik Eklund, and I'm the marketing and branding manager for Ugglebo Clogs.
On behalf of all of us over at Ugglebo, let me express our gratitude for you bringing us into your awesome circle of people and involving us in this exciting discussion! And a big thank you to Lindsey for taking this initiative!
We really think that we can come up with some cool ideas together.
Thank you so much for being so cool about this, and let's have some fun with it!
@Evan - Thanks so much for your input, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
@Hoosierdaddio - I hear you, and I respect your opinion. You are not going to find better quality handmade shearling boots anywhere though, and you'll wear them forever. Plus, with Lindsey's coupon code, they are only $255 right now.
@John - Lindsey got that covered; they are 3,9" (10 cm). I'm working on getting all the heel sizes up there, like Lindsey said.
@George - that's funny! :) I know that many people have suggested that we need some bigger sizes out there. Let me see what I can do for you. The coupon is good all year out btw!
@Jennifer - You are brave indeed! I truly hope that your Seine's will fit like a glove! If you have any questions about your order, Kylie in the office is the best and will take excellent care of you.
Thanks for your input guys!
Posted by: Fredrik Eklund | 10/01/2011 at 12:27 PM
Fredrik,
Just offer your women's styles in larger sizes, up to 44+, and market them as unisex. My husband takes a size 43 and we have been wearing matching UGG Kaylees. There are many higher heeled women's styles I would like to put my husband in and which he would willingly wear. End the "glass ceiling" of size 41!
Melissa,
I agree 1,000%! I think our guys are incredibly sexy in chunky high heels. The higher and chunkier heel the better. How cool is it to have a guy who will strap on a pair of heels we give him and think it's fun? My GFs can't believe it.
Posted by: Kathy Ann | 10/02/2011 at 07:26 PM