Among the many contentious articles of clothing out there, Crocs—those rubbery, brightly colored shoes your dad probably wears to fetch the paper—occupy a special space. They are not, like the male romper, intended to be ostentatious. Like the equally contentious cargo shorts and fanny pack, Crocs possess a pure, unassuming functionality, in that they are comfortable, sturdy, and easy to slip on. And yet their bright colors and rubbery, alien construction suggest something designed to also be “fun,” in their way. They’re a strange blend of conventionality and eccentricity.
Anyway, people hate them. They get very mad about Crocs! However, the style-forward writers and editors of GQ have noted a recent resurgence in Croc ownership among stylish celebrities like Shia Labeouf and Jared Leto, as well as a cream-colored pair at a recent Gucci show. And the shoes themselves fit into a larger, normcore trend, including dad hats, light wash jeans, and corny windbreakers. Could these much-maligned shoes be having a moment in the sun? The magazine assembled a panel to discuss.
Perhaps most interesting are the arguments in favor of the shoes:
Pro: “Not sure I’d call it a moment. I think most people still hate them, but most people are basic and put their insecurities above their willingness to wear something that will make them feel good. Crocs are silly, but so are most basketball shoes. I think they look kinda cool. I wouldn’t wear them to work, but I’ll wear them out to parties or whatever in the summer. They are a million times better than flip-flops, that’s for sure.” —Noah Johnson