What is a clog

Today clogs are stylish summer shoes that women of all ages wear with pleasure. There are even celebrities among fans of these unusual sandals, who proudly showcase designer models worth several thousand dollars. But the history of clogs began long before our days, and the original was not like those light and comfortable sandals that we see now.

In ancient Rome, prisoners were specially shod in bulky wooden galoshes so that they could not escape. As early as the 10th century, the Japanese wore geta shoes with a wooden sole in the form of a small bench. Clogs, more or less reminiscent of modern models, began to be worn in the Ardennes mountains. This massif extends over the territory of several European states: Belgium, France and Luxembourg. Poor peasants wore two types of shoes. The French were made entirely of wood, while the Dutch (clogs) had a leather or suede upper.

Later, the fashion for these shoes spread throughout Europe. In the 16th century, the Dutch craftsmen's guild put the production of clogs on stream. In the Netherlands, they produced both simple, cheap versions and painted ones for special occasions. Until the end of the 19th century, even noble French women wore wooden shoes. They conquered England most recently - in the 19th century.

Over time, clogs pushed aside other types of footwear and were remembered less and less often. In 1969, the temporarily forgotten clogs were made by the Dutch designer Jan Jansen. The fashion was picked up by the singer Janis Joplin and fans of the hippie style. Variants on a cork sole and on a polyurethane platform are loved by many fashionistas for their lightness and affordability.

Why have clogs not lost their relevance today? There are many reasons for this:

1. Convenience. The thick platform allows the owners of the clogs to walk on any roads and not experience discomfort.
2. Increased growth. Most models will make you a few centimeters taller. If you also choose beige clogs, then the legs will become visually longer and slimmer.
3. Versatility... As in the old days, clogs can be worn in hot or cold weather, and some designers even release winter models.
4. Design for every taste. These shoes offer a huge variety of colors and decor.

Clogs imply convenience and comfort, you can not be afraid to fall in them, since they have a massive cork, wooden sole or sole on a semolina, as well as, most often, a closed top. Even if your toes are open, your leg is locked tightly. This allows clogs to be worn every day.

The mules have a much more elegant heel. The heel on these shoes is always open, the upper part can be rounded, pointed or without a toe. They can be on straps and have decorative holes. They perfectly complement the strict classical looks. Even models with low heels, which are more of a casual style, look feminine.

Classic models of clogs without a heel are less and less common. They were replaced by modern variations, with a thick heel and platform. The upper part of the shoes can be made of various materials: leather, suede, textiles, there are even models with fur. For decoration, rivets are often used, less often buckles, locks, chains. Thanks to a special insole, the foot does not slip in them. If earlier they were worn by both men and women, now they have become predominantly ladies' shoes.

• Flat - a good option for summer vacations. They can be used for sightseeing or walking to the sea, so these are good beach shoes. Super lightweight sports clogs are great for long walks around town, especially those with cork soles. Going on vacation, everyone should buy a pair of comfortable flat clogs.

• Heels - elegant models, suitable for any summer dresses and some sets with trousers. Some models are great friends with evening dresses. For example, a clog with a stiletto heel. But closed shoes with a massive nose and wide heels are not the most feminine option, so you should be careful with them. They visually make the leg heavier.

• Wedge clogs - this is what lovers of femininity and comfort need. You can run in them if you are late, and dance in a summer cafe. Today, designers make transparent and through pads. They also experiment with the shape of the sole: they are produced in the form of a triangle, trapezoid, oval, or rhombus.

With them, everything is much easier, because men's shoes do not imply a riot of colors and a variety of styles. And yet, the stronger sex also has a lot to choose from. There are several basic subspecies of these shoes.

For work outdoors or in the garden, designers offer clogs with a thick sole and a closed top that does not allow moisture to pass through. There are models with anti-slip elements. They can be safely worn in the rain.

Usually male models are made of genuine leather, leatherette, nubuck, velor, bikes... Recently, rubber and polymer clogs have become very popular - they have replaced ordinary rubber slippers.

Men can wear clogs anywhere, except for business meetings. and other official events. On vacation you cannot do without them. Thanks to the open heel, this shoe breathes and does not let your feet get tired, and during the summer rain it becomes simply irreplaceable.

Sometimes these shoes become an element of workwear. For example, there are models for doctors, chefs and other professionals who have to spend a lot of time on their feet. Then the sole should not be rubber, but made of solid material.

Completely wooden shoes have not been worn for a long time either, even for the manufacture of soles, they usually take not wood, but substitutes. Various models have replaced the classic shoes. Modern manufacturers use the following materials for their manufacture:

• skin;
• suede;
• synthetic leather;
• cork textures;
• the cloth;
• plastic.

Natural materials last longer, but are much more expensive than artificial counterparts... You will wear a good leather pair for all occasions from a well-known brand with a high-quality last for many years. If you buy shoes for work in the country, then it is quite possible to get by with cheap shoes. Then it will not be a shame if she can withstand only one season.

Black, brown and beige have become classic clogs. If the platform is made of wood or imitates it, then light shades are considered more universal. But shoes with dark wood soles help create more colorful images, experiment with unusual styles.

Designers offer fashionistas in a variety of colors. Prints can adorn both the tops of the shoes and the sole. This is easy to achieve, because today shoes are made from artificial materials. Stripes, peas, flowers and other designs are very popular, especially on youth models. Thanks to this, the clogs become a hit of the summer wardrobe. This is especially true for models with a half-open or perforated top.

• Gioie italiane specializes primarily in clogs, which means that these designers know a lot about this type of footwear. Famous Italians boldly use leather appliques, combine materials of different textures, and also decorate their shoes with stones and feathers. Gioie Italiane is always natural materials and various styles.

• Vitacci Is our brand that has released the "Golden Collection". Each of its copies has the color of precious metal. Not only Russian designers worked on the models, but also their colleagues from France and Italy.

• Calipso. A very popular brand that produces both office and evening clogs. Minimalism and laconic elegance are the hallmarks of this label's footwear.

• Italian Baldinini - simple, light and bright, have a comfortable shoe. Thanks to this, the legs do not get tired all day long, and due to the high-quality materials, the shoes will last for many years and will not lose their neat appearance.

• Clogs Casadei fell in love with fashionistas for their sophisticated models in bright colors, in which you can safely go out, attend a solemn event. They will bring classic elements to the image of their owner.

• Tamaris and Ugg offers more youthful models with chunky soles, rivets and uppers in different colors.

A safe bet is to wear a clog with boho and hippie clothes. Ripped jeans, a colorful skirt, a simple T-shirt and a short leather or denim jacket, baubles and chunky jewelry are created for these shoes. Also, an excellent set can be created with gauze chiffon dresses, skirts. Clogs are also great friends with feminine trousers, tight-fitting or bell-bottomed.

Now let's talk about what to wear with specific models of clogs.

With a closed toe with a heel. Colored or light with low or medium heels will suit dresses with elements of ethnic style, black and brown with rough fittings - with dresses in military or safari style. Such wooden shoes with shorts are also good. However, these images should not be tried on by short, plump girls, because brutal-looking clogs make any leg heavier.It is much more appropriate to choose such a look for a slender girl.

Closed-toe wedge clogs. The wedge heel is a more elegant version of the platform, while it is much more comfortable to walk on it than on the heel. They will create a successful tandem with wide or flared jeans, cropped skinny (or rolled up) or "cigarette" trousers. If the trousers open the ankles, then a little bulky shoes will only emphasize the grace of their owner.

Clogs with a closed nose on the platform. There are models in cork, foam and wood. They complement well such wardrobe items as trousers, long sundresses and floor-length skirts.

Clogs with a stiletto. Looks good with many outfits. One of the best options can be created with flying mini dresses or skinny jeans.

• Clogs with a raised tractor sole. The top of these shoes is usually closed. Sometimes they are complemented by a steady heel. They are made for a casual wardrobe, but some desperate fashionistas can create extravagant evening looks with them.

If the nose of the clog is closed, then pay special attention to the material from which it is made. In summer, in hot weather, leather shoes are likely to be hot, which means it is better to buy a pair of cloth shoes. If you want to buy leather, it is better to opt for shoes with decorative perforation or with a half-open top.

As for the choice of color, in the summer the most appropriate models are from light colors, or bright colors. If you don’t want to part with your clogs in the fall, then black, terracotta and brown shoes will be very useful. For the off-season, a suede model with fur lining is suitable. By the way, fur insoles in light shoes are very relevant today and this applies not only to clogs.