How to wear clogs
by Susan Wagner

Stephanie is going back to work, teaching seventh-grade social studies, and she's been shopping for clothes: "I went to Nordstrom yesterday for shoes, and they immediately threw Dansko professional clogs at me.  I resisted and asked for other, more stylish shoes, but I eventually acquiesced to their pushing ...

"I came home with a pair of black clogs but I am yet unconvinced they will be acceptable from a fashion standpoint."

Stephanie is trying to raise the bar in her own wardrobe and not go into the classroom looking sloppy, which I appreciate.  She describes her look as "dress slacks and oxford shirts, sweater vests, wool jackets; a suit on test day."  And now she's caught in the trap so many women find themselves in, of wanting to look polished and professional AND be comfortable all day.

While wrangling seventh graders.  Simple!  Right?  Sort of.

Stephanie has the right idea here and a pair of clogs just might be the answer, but not in black; clogs are heavy and clunky by their very nature, and black clogs are even more so.  Dasnko makes their Professional clog in a cool leopard print (shown here) as well as in a beautiful red brocade.  If Stephanie really loves the Danskos (and honestly, they are really comfortable) then she might want to think about raising the bar and trading the black in for something more fun.  Comfortable, practical shoes don't have to be frumpy; they can be cool and pretty while they keep your feet happy.

Stephanie also needs to bear in mind that clogs are very casual shoes; they are not meant to be worn with a suit, for example, or with tailored pieces.  Clogs work best with straight-leg pants or trousers without a cuff, or with simple A-line skirts.  For a slightly dressier look, Stephanie needs a pair of really beautiful flats -- but flats that are made for standing and walking, not just for sitting down.  Aerosoles makes great comfortable shoes that are also really cute; the suede bow flats pictured here are an excellent example, and would be a nice addition to Stephanie's classroom wardrobe. Aerosole Sorbet flats, $69.00.

Looking for more advice on how to wear clogs?  You can go to the Clog Blog!  Seriously!

The Boston Busy Girlz offer three good reasons to wear clogs (but not to a business meeting).

MomLogic has tips on making flats work.

Susan Wagner writes about style at Fashion Find and ParentDish, and about everything else at Friday Playdate.  Have a pressing style question?  Email her at fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com. 

Photos via Nordstrom.com and Aerosoles.com.

 

 

 

Submitted by Susan Wagner (view blog) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 16:08

Comments

 

I love clogs..but my dog....

ate my fave pair.. a lovely clarks pair that I have not been able to duplicate since..LOVED them with jeans..

 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

Submitted by Crunchy Carpets on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 17:42
 

I am on My Feet A lot in Merchandising

 And I have tried ever thing and always go back to Clogs,I just cant find any thing that is as confortable and has the cushion as they do for walking and standing.

 Sharon

 

Submitted by dovechocolaterep on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 18:34
 

Hate to say it...

But if you want comfort, they are the way to go.  I managed to have the very snarky, very gay guy I work with compliment them once, so I figure they can't be all bad.  I think the key is to wear them with the right length of pants so as to not see all of their clogginess. 

Submitted by ameliasprout on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 19:09
 

Clogs

I have never mastered clogs.  I thump in them.  And I feel dowdy and very Typical White Person in them.  My inner gay snark makes fun of me.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, clogs are not an option for me at work, and when I'm not working I'm in sneakers...

Submitted by Queen1 on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 19:15
 

Queen2 would like the leopard Danskos, though

I am going to have to clue my sister in to the leopard print clogs--she is a SAHM and thus invests much more than I in play clothes.  Plus she's tall and leggy, so by nature will not seem as clunky as I in clogs.  Then, I'll see her in them and be jealous, but know that I could never pull them off. 

Ferragamo always makes cute, very low-heeled not-quite flats that are quite comfortable if you don't have EEE feet like I do.  Pricey, but worth the money if you want a dressier look.  Sometimes Donald Pliner comes out with really comfortable, fashionable shoes.  (And then there are the metallic giraffe print heels he came out with this summer...EVERY time I wear them, EVERY woman I see raves about them.  And even some men.)

Submitted by Queen1 on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 19:21
 

Another 7th grade teacher who swears by clogs

I adore clogs.  I mean (don't tell)  I wear Clarks! (Shh - my mom swears by them)  I'm not sure why the thought of comfy shoes is so disturbing to me, maybe it's all those times I scoffed at "older" teachers while I wore my 6 inch heels.  Now that I'm in my 40's, I want shoes I can kick off easily that support my feet and my mood. (and I bet the kids are happy I'm wearing them too!)

 My most recent pair - I liked them so much I bought them in three colors.   I have this pair of Danskos in black.

 

Doris

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Submitted by Doris on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 20:03
 

Comfort and Looks

One of my friends swears by her clogs but I've never managed to keep them on my narrow feet.

I do completely agree that having comfortable shoes that look as good as they feel is a challenge. I've found some great winter shoes in a country shoe shop and some equally comfy summer sandles there too, thankfully.

But clogs and crocs just fall off my feet so if you can keep them on and they are saving your feet, legs, hips, back, neck etc etc from aching, go for it.

All the best,

Belinda

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Submitted by Creatively Belle on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 21:55