Go Vegan Clogs!

According to the definition by The Vegan Society, veganism is “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose”. Veganism is becoming one of the fastest-growing global movements. Recent data shows that over the next decade, approximately 1 in 10 people will become vegan. As a natural extension of vegetarianism, veganism is an integral component of a true cruelty-free lifestyle, that provides benefits to animals’ lives and the environment, as well as a healthy diet and lifestyle for each one of us. Experts claim that the future of the fashion industry and lifestyle trends are also in ethical, eco-conscious fashion with a focus on responsible choices and animal-free products. Swedish designers, well-known for their responsible choices and minimalistic design, joined this trend with a contemporary version of one of the most traditional Swedish products. Ladies and gentlemen, plant-based a.k.a. vegan-friendly clogs have arrived! 

Traditionally made by hand, and always on anatomically shaped wooden bottoms, vegan edition of traditional clog keeps all quality of traditional clogs, but with no animal products included (at first place leather and wool). Both practical and fashionable, vegan clogs come in a variety of styles: classic clogs, clog sandals, heel clogs, and clog boots, in many fun shapes and vibrant colors, for both men and women. Usually made in small family-owned factories and workshops, these humble shoes are one of the most sustainable footwear you’ll come across. Their production and transportation reduce a carbon footprint compared to most of the footwear industry.

As already mentioned, wooden clogs bottoms are still meticulously crafted with special attention to the anatomically constructed footbed that provides an optimal angle for support and posture of the lower back. Commonly used type of wood is alderwood although some brands use lime, poplar, and birch, as well. Alderwood has been used for centuries in clog production, and it’s known for its natural antibacterial characteristics and capacity to absorb external moisture. In short, clogs in vegan leather are both comfortable and healthy for your feet.

Clog uppers are made of 100%, top-quality vegan-friendly synthetic materials such as a certified microfiber (Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 class I) that complies with REACH (meaning they are eco-friendly). Vegan clogs’ lining is also made in a sustainable material that is breathable, antibacterial, soft on the inside and waterproof on the outside, while wooden bottoms guarantee comfort and stability.

How to take care of your vegan clogs? Clog experts recommend is to use a damp cloth and wipe the dirt, and to allow the clogs to dry in the shade at a normal temperature. If wet cloth is not enough, a little soap can help. If you plan to use some particular product (cleaner, cream, or oil), it’s best to ask for advice in your shoe repair shop and to try it on a small hidden spot in a very small amount.

 Is vegan fashion the future of a fashion or just a passing trend? Although it’s still hard to tell, the one is sure. If you are looking for footwear that is practical and original, if you follow slow-fashion ideas, and you want to use eco-conscious and sustainable products, Swedish vegan clogs are an excellent starting point and a statement shoe that you’ll be proudly wearing for several years. Whether you choose comfy, mid, or high heel soles, you are on your way to make the big entrance into the new vegan universe. In a pair of the new, colorful, animal-free clogs, of course.

How Clogs Have Become The Reigning Footwear In The Shoe Industry?

Shoes can make or break an outfit. You can get an apparel of your choice easily, but finding the right footwear which teams well with the clothing can be a cumbersome job. No wonder why women are never finished when it comes to buying shoes even when they have a closet full of shoes. Women are so fussy that they won’t go to a party or an outing unless their footwear suits the occasion.

Women shoes come in a variety of heel types. Among them, high heels have captured a prominent place in the shoe industry. Women have a soft corner for high heel shoes since they represent the ultimate when it comes to footwear fashion.

When we are talking about heels, high heel clogs deserve mention. These shoes have wooden soles and strike the right fashion statement with women. In fact, women’s high heel clogs have outclassed other stylish shoes such as stilettos or ballerinas and have positioned them in the league of premium shoes. 

The reason is an obvious one-comfort. Women want a footwear which is both stylish as well as comfortable, but those two attributes rarely go hand in hand. Moreover, heels are hard on the feet and put excessive pressure on the toes and the back ankle. No matter how much swag a woman exhibits wearing a high heeled shoe in public, she experiences foot pain at some point in time.

High heel clogs come as a breath of fresh air. These shoes have platform soles made of wood which are comfortable and click your feet into place as soon as you slip them on. They offer unparalleled support to the feet and provide complete traction to you so that you can walk in them comfortably. The shoes are designed orthopedically and women won’t experience any pain even after standing in them for long hours.

Besides comfort, high heel clogs enhance the shape of your feet. They make women appear svelte and amplify the confidence level of a woman. Heeled clogs provide an extra thump to a woman’s looks and make her look leaner and sexier and help strike the right balance between style and personality.

How Swedish Clogs Have Made A Graceful Comeback?

Swedish clogs have made a triumphant comeback in the past few years. Women have gracefully embraced clogs as one of the most fashionable footwear at present. With their elegant looks, ornate designs and orthopedic usefulness, clogs have become the best choice for women of all ages. Swedish clogs were back with a bang when they featured in the 2007 winter collection for Dutch designers Viktor and Rolf. 

The Dutch unveiled their set of high-heeled clogs in the catwalk which grabbed numerous eyeballs and set the tone for a new genre of fashionable footwear. The French were not to be left behind. Louis Vuitton and Chanel brought their own collection of Swedish clogs which featured a simple fabric upper construction fastened to a wooden heel.

Clogs became a hit after they featured in such catwalks and fashion parades. They garnered such attention that women began to buy varieties of clogs to team them up with different dresses. Clogs now come in a bunch of designs. There are open-back and closed-back styles. The platforms come in wood, cork or plastic options. 

The heels are low, high as well as flat versions. The upper part is constructed using various types of leather in an assortment of shades and colors such as brown, black, blue, pink and purple. They usually come in the strap and strapless options. There are also plastic clogs which are perfect for gardening activities. They are tough and you can just wash them off in case they get dirty.

Swedish clogs catering the nursing departments have become a popular choice for those professions where women are on their feet all day. Nursing clogs are specifically designed to provide ankle, knee and back support to minimize knee and back pain. These clogs have non-slip treads which provide solid grip and prevent you from slipping on wet hospital floors. Moreover, these Swedish nursing clogs are slip-on shoes which makes wearing them on and off a breeze.

They come in a variety of colors and designs so that you can juggle different dresses with them. The Swedish nursing clogs are light and are made of durable wood or heavy duty plastic materials. These clogs also have proper padding on the insides which significantly reduce discomfort and allow nurses to move throughout their workplace with ease.

Wooden Heeled Clogs: A Reflection of the Dutch Culture

The word clogs is popular among the English, but the Dutch are familiar with Klompen. They are culturally attached with the wooden heeled clogs. Every year they manufacture around 3 million pairs. If a traveller has to take back home a souvenir from Amsterdam then it has to be a painted wooden clog. Even the famous Shirley Temple wore clogs for the first time on celluloid with aplomb in her much appreciated film Heidi, which garnered much popularity among the Dutch.

During the Roman era, Netherlands was a land of mud. The locals followed the practice of pumping out water from mud in order to shrivel up the land. The excessive water pumping and dredging pushed the land a bit under the sea level. To work around a sludgy, and muddy terrain, a specialized and multipurpose footwear was need of the hour. In this way the Dutch feet landed in wooden heeled clogs. Since then, the Dutch have been proudly sporting these shoes. 

Traditionally, clogs were identified with a wooden sole and a leather top, but as the time went by, the whole shoe was being made out of wood to enhance the comfort. High quality timber extracted from alder, and willow were primarily used to manufacture clogs. They were specifically carved out for wedding, and visiting churches. To make them look trendy, the design on top often featured laces and the lace holes.

The Dutch also has a flare for Clog dancing or clogging (“Klompendansen”) and follows it ardently as it is a flag bearer of their creative expression. Also, tap dancing that eventually evolved into a popular American dance form, is an off-shoot of clogging.

In Holland, the wooden clogs are largely worn by farmers, fishermen, factory workers, and artisans to stay away from the harm’s way. The wood provides protection from nails, fishing hooks and razor-sharp instruments that may make a light work of a regular boot. As clogs also help in keeping the feet pat dry, people can easily roam around docks and muddy fields. 

For different professions, specific wooden shoes are being carved out. For fishing purposes, clogs were designed with pointed nose so that they can be used to unclutter the fishing nets. If the work involves digging out peats, then a broader base is designed for the clogs to provide a larger spread over the soggy soil. Ironically, only 12 clog makers are left in the whole Netherlands at present time. The advent of machines has expedited the manufacturing process, but people working in gardens or farms still find pleasure in the old school ways of wearing the hand-made clogs.