Gal Day Monday...and Ugglebo wants our input!

 

on't worry. I'm not launching a new series of posts. Today's headline is merely a riff on a feature I ran a few months back. You may recall that the folks at Ugglebo wanted to hear from ECHID readers on ways they could enhance their men's clog designs. I know the remarks and input we generated at the time definitely gave them something to think about. So it shouldn't surprise us that they'd like to get our opinion once again. This time on their new women's styles. The Ugglebo Spring/Summer 2012 line is waiting in the wings, but before they go into production,.... Well, let me allow Fredrik Eklund, Marketing and Brand Manager for Ugglebo have the floor:

I really enjoyed the feedback we got from your readers with regards to the potential men's clog line, and as such, I was wondering if you and your readers would like to help out with the Ugglebo Spring and Summer 2012 Collection? We think that it might be a fun way for people to have their voice heard and influence the direction that we are taking with this coming collection. We would like to choose our limited handcrafted stock selection based on some of your valued feedback since we want to produce clogs that people would actually want to buy. 

I'm thinking it's time to rally the troops and give this fine maker the benefit of our experience as clog fans. You'll find a number of the new designs Ugglebo is considering in the photos below. And they have a number of features they have questions about, too. Please take a moment and let them know what you think via the Comments. As with our ad hoc Guy Day Friday focus group, the feedback we supply today can provide us with the clogs we love tomorrow.

Questions to ponder (feel free to copy and past these in your comment and type in your answers):

1.  What do you think of the collection as a whole?

2.  What styles are your favorites and why?

3.  What do you think of each of these new Ugglebo features: slingbacks? Peep toes? Wedge clogs? Semi-wedge clog sandals?

4.  What do you think of the colors offered?

5.  Which do you prefer: light wood base or dark wood?

6.  Which do you prefer: staples or nail heads? 

Here's to a brighter clog future! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[On my feet as I blog: that awesomely tall Tunacha wood soled lace up boot from N. Y. L. A....pictured here with a favorite Madewell style of a fellow clog fan.]

Comments

[Debby]

My 2¢

1. What do you think of the collection as a whole? I like much more edge to my shoes. Nothing outrageous here.

2. What styles are your favorites and why? I like the blue, red and the last booties best. Probably for the same reason stated above. They are the most edgy of the bunch.

3. What do you think of each of these new Ugglebo features: slingbacks? Peep toes? Wedge clogs? Semi-wedge clog sandals? They are cool and a little less traditional.

4. What do you think of the colors offered? The colors are nice but some patterns or piping would be nice too.

5. Which do you prefer: light wood base or dark wood? Either for me.

6. Which do you prefer: staples or nail heads? Nail heads!

Thanks for asking!

[Melissa Krebs]

1. What do you think of the collection as a whole?

The collection is very "safe." There is a lot of competition for disposable income right now, and while clogs are style "eternals," they aren't showing up much in spring lookbooks; for parts of the US that tend to be behind the trends (my hometown of Washington DC is always a year or two behind the times!), these "new" styles may sell well, but in LA or NYC or Dallas, something that pushes boundaries is needed. Fortunately, style conservatives seem to be the ones with discretionary bank accounts these days, so resort styles like these may do well...

2. What styles are your favorites and why?

I would buy the boots if they had more heel and were available in the dusty purple or the teal (If they came in something very pale—palest gray or cream—they'd look super with a summer tan. I pretty much walk out of or kick off my feet any backless clogs, so those styles aren't for me.

3. What do you think of each of these new Ugglebo features: slingbacks? Peep toes? Wedge clogs? Semi-wedge clog sandals?

The semi-wedge is graceful; nice to see a higher heel. Would like to see that sole contrasted with something oxford-like (closed toe, laces) in summer colors (purple, teal—red is so overdone; dark orange?). Also, to me, a large part of clogs' appeal is their androgyny—when they get too girly, like many of these styles, I find the boxy look of the wooden sole fights with the more slender straps.

4. What do you think of the colors offered?

See above comment about red; the sage, or greenish taupe, is an overdone color as well, and seems dated to me—steel gray or silvered blue or mustard are all up-and-coming colors for this warm season.

5. Which do you prefer: light wood base or dark wood?

Depends of the upper—I tend to shy away from dark uppers with pale soles—I prefer my shoes to read as an overall tone, with the sole matching intensity with the leather or suede. Painted wood strikes me as a waste, covering up the"woodiness," but dark stains where the grain of the wood still "reads" is quite appealing.

6. Which do you prefer: staples or nail heads?

If the shoe is more for dress-up, staples; is the shoe is chunky and more casual, nailheads.

[Johanna]

And here's my contribution:

1. What do you think of the collection as a whole?
It's a little bit too virtuous for my taste. There could be more of an edge, as Debby said. Anything that (even if only vaguely) reminds me of a district nurse, or of my aunt, is out (sorry).

2. What styles are your favorites and why?
I like the slingbacks, because they are sleek and summery. Good colour too. Beautiful wooden wedge. The booties are favourite as well. They stand out because they're in between shoes and boots.

3. What do you think of each of these new Ugglebo features: slingbacks? Peep toes? Wedge clogs? Semi-wedge clog sandals?
I love slingbacks! Peep toes are great too. Wedges: yes. Semi-wedges: no. Can't say why exactly. Just don't like the curved lines that remain (simply a matter of taste).

4. What do you think of the colors offered?
The colours are good. Nicely faded. I don't like the little holes in the leather though. Again, this reminds me of nurses and sticking plaster. It looks too practical.

5. Which do you prefer: light wood base or dark wood?
For this collection: definitely light wood.

6. Which do you prefer: staples or nail heads?
Depends on the type of clog. The slingbacks look good with staples. Sturdier clogs look better with nail heads. Ideally, there would be a choice for the customer.

[Kay]

I just got my first pair of Ugglebos last week!

1. What do you think of the collection as a whole? It's nice...I'm not a fan of the first few sandals for myself though.

2. What styles are your favorites and why? I like the taller, closed toe ones the best, and I like the ashy/lilac color a lot.

3. What do you think of each of these new Ugglebo features: slingbacks? Peep toes? Wedge clogs? Semi-wedge clog sandals? I like the idea of wedges

4. What do you think of the colors offered? I usually prefer darker colors but I do like the lilac a lot and the deep blue

5. Which do you prefer: light wood base or dark wood? Darker wood by far!

6. Which do you prefer: staples or nail heads? Nail heads!