Every Clog Has Its Day

On the Radar

r to put it another way: What's new?

Well, quite a few styles apparently. Bless those wood sole lovin' shoemakers for keeping our salivary glands firing regularly. I took an e-stroll by some of my favorite retailers in seasons past and thought I'd see what I could see. And much to my surprise there discoveries to be made. Just feast your ocular sockets on what the gods of footwear have bestowed upon us.

Hallelujah! Amen!

 

 

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1. Desert Gold booties from Free People

I'm a bit late to the party reporting this one since there's only one size left on the Shopbop website, but I didn't want the opportunity to document that unique ankle high leather construction. I love it when designers take us somewhere new. Now if they'd only do so in a broader range of sizes!

 

 

 

 

2. Idolon clogs from Rachel Comey

I've long admired the sturdy shoes this New York based fashion designer creates. I'm pretty sure I've been crushing on her wood soled footwear as long as I've been blogging about clogs. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the chance to own a pair so they remain an unrequited love. If you, on the other hand, have been able to make their acquaintance, please speak up. Your thoughts would definitely be welcome here!

Look for this shoe on Shopbop in the full range of traditional sizes.

 

 

 

3. Baltic booties from WHIT + Jacques Levine

Yet another way to enjoy the lovely tock-tock-tock of wood beneath your feet as you make your way through the world. Shopbop delivers again with this distinctively different spin on a clog boot courtesy of a company that made it's name producing high end women's bedroom slippers and scuffs. Jacques Levine traces its roots to 1936, but here in 2014, the fourth generation of the family is bringing the company's lines online. On behalf of those of us who live to surf the web for novel fashions may I simply say, "We approve!"

 

 

 

 

 

4. Zip Front Croc Platform Urban Shoes from River Island

Not sure why they don't just call it a high-heeled slingback clog, but then I'm no marketing expert. It certainly has all the distinguishing characteristics of our favorite footwear. And I'm just going to let slide the fact that the soles are clearly not wood. This one caught my eye while browsing the new arrivals at ASOS. Thought I should share it with you.

 

 

 

5. Ancient Roads clogs from Calleen Cordero

I do my best to track down remarkable shoes, but sometimes I benefit from my fervent assistants. The equally eagle-eyed Melissa noticed this style in the Sundance catalog and called it to my attention. More lovely work from this wood-sole loving California designer.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Riversong clogs

And while you're browsing the Sundance website, be sure not to miss this pair. Available in crimson and taupe (pictured).  

 

 

 

 

6. Adele clogs from UGG Australia

I raved about the new Carberry clog bootie from UGG in last week's post. (Scroll back to take a look.) I could go on about it again this week, but I think I'll save that for some future date when I'm starved for content. I wore the Carberry to a gig with my band this past Tuesday and they took me through the night with flying colors. Everything I love in a shoe and they're comfortable, too. Somebody pinch me. I must be dreaming!

Anyway, I know the bootie style is not everyone's cup of tea so I'm happy to report that UGG has created a new open heeled clog on that same wood sole. Same racy chunky heel. And I would expect, the same level of comfort. 

I spotted this one on Zappos.com. Available in black and chestnut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Swedish Hasbeens

Oops! I posted this article, and then realized I had totally overlooked a bunch of new designs just announced by Swedish Hasbeens.

Sigh. I wonder what the Swedish word is for "lust."

 

 

 

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For the Love of Clogs: A Free People blog post

And just for fun, pay a visit to the blog run by Free People. They're feeling the clog love over there with a photo spread featuring several of their staffers decked out in wood. Follow the link for the full size photos.

 

 

 

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And finally a puzzle. I'm sure you can guess what's pictured below. But can you figure out how to wear it?

 

 

All will be made clear in next week's post.

 

 

What's New? (as of December 5, 2012)

ruth be told, the answer to the question in today's subject line is: not much. Yes, there are shoe makers such as UGG Australia and Pedro Garcia who are still boldly pursuing clogs and clog boots as we head towards winter. And if you dig on most retail sites, you're likely to still find some wood soled items still available for sale. And of course, clog making stalwarts such as Sven Clogs and Swedish Hasbeens have recently unveiled some tasty new styles. But for the most part when I type "clogs" into the Search field on most retail sites, I'm seeing a lot of manmade soles and super-casual styles. Where are all the wooden wonders that have rocked our collective world the last couple of years? Sad to say, we are entering an era when they will truly be hard to find.

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1.  Braelyn clog from KORS by Michael Kors

Available through Nordstrom.

 

 

 

 

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2.  Eddie clog from Rachel Zoe

Available through Nordstrom.

 

 

 

 

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3.  Shearling-lined clog boot from RED Valentino

Available through Neiman-Marcus.

 

 

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[On my feet as I blog: in between outings with my new UGG Australia knee-high clog boots and my newly repaired "Judge Dredd" boots from the Magic Shoe Company (have I mentioned what a great shoe repair shop I have here in Chicago?), I'm nursing my Lita addiction. Seriously. Ever since I discovered that a pair of well-placed heel lifts can make a tight size easier to wear, I've treated myself to three, count 'em, three new Lita styles from Jeffrey Campbell. Wood soles will always be at the top of my list, but a good platform and a chunky heel never fail to turn my head.]

What's New?

ow odd. I feel as though I've acquired a lot of new shoes this year. I have the sensation there's a lot more on my shelves than when 2012 began. But I just went back through the year's archives worth of What's New? posts, and surprisingly, there are only around half a dozen actually new wood-soled styles that I've brought into my wardrobe this year. I remember when the clog craze was at its peak, and I was filled with desire for some new shoe every other week. (Which is not to say I bought them all.) Nowadays, the urge to own appears to be saved for the truly devastating footwear. No money for "meh!" at this point. It's got to make me sit up and take notice. And I have to say, the styles I purchased that did make it into a What's New? post this year seem truly worthy of notice. It's purely a subjective judgment, of course, but I'm glad to have expanded my footwear options with the shoes you see below.

Of course, this doesn't include the non-clog shoes I picked up this year or the "last year's models" that I snapped up on sale. Factor those in and I'd have to add another half dozen images to this post. 

 

 

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A17161 oxford clog from Sophya

 

 

 

 

Bateman bootie from Madison Harding

 

 

 

 

Melissa sandal clog from Bed|Stü

 

 

 

 

Heaven Mary Jane clog from Bed|Stü

(featured as a new style, but never posted in What's New?)

 

 

Arc Half Moon platform sandal from John Fluevog

 

 

 

 

Rainbow Boots from John Fluevog

(featured as a new style, but never posted in What's New?)

 

 

 

Cosima Tall clog boot from UGG Australia

 

 

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[On my feet as I blog: freshly retrieved from my amazing cobbler in Chicago, my Cosima Tall clog boots from UGG Australia. Taking in the shaft was a godsend. Now they fit me like a glove. Hello, favorite new boot for fall!]

 

What's New? (as of November 14, 2012)

ere in my small corner of the universe, there's snow dusting the rooftops and icicles forming on the underpasses, but these harbingers of winter are only hinting at the change I feel in the air. I've mentioned before that I'm making room in my home for company. And that's meant a need to assess the possessions I have and decide what deserves to stay and what is simply threatening to qualify me for an episode of Hoarders. It's been a pain in the butt going through all the dead wood that one accumulates unwittingly over the years. "You bring it in bit by bit," I was just thinking to myself as I wheeled my heavily laden grocery cart into the elevator in my building, "but you carry it out by the armload!" But now as I sit and survey the results of my hard work and feel myself moving toward my future with a lighter step, I am pleased. There will be room to grow again. There will be space to make new memories. And, of course, there will be new shoes to take me there.

Woo-hoo!

 

 

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1. Cher wood-soled bootie from Madison Harding

Available through Madison Harding.

 

 

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2. Morrison wood-soled bootie from Matt Bernson

Available in Safari Suede/Nero, Black Cracked Suede/Brandy, and Black Suede/Nero through Matt Bernson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Princess Zeze bootie from Irregular Choice

Ah, there's wood, there's a platform, and there are studs. You know I'm in love!

Available through Irregular Choice.

 

 

 

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[On my feet as I blog: a big thank you again to regular reader Tea for encouraging me to get my own pair of Lynneas from UGG Australia. I have grown to really love them. Miu Miu, however, is indifferent.]