Why Fashion Is Falling Back in Love with Clogs
Few shoes have had as unlikely a fashion comeback as the clog. Bulbous, rubbery, and unapologetically practical, it was never meant to be aspirational. And yet, clogs are everywhere — from celebrity street style to luxury runways. Scroll through social media, step into a café, or glance at airport fashion and they are hard to miss. Styled with flowing dresses, tailored separates and even occasion wear, the once-humble gardening shoe has emerged as fashion’s most unexpected obsession.
Clogs’ mainstream revival has been amplified by celebrity adoption, from Jennifer Lawrence and Bella Hadid to Alia Bhatt and Masaba Gupta, who have embraced the shoe as a deliberate blend of comfort and style — both on and off duty. Rashmika Mandanna’s collaboration with global footwear brand Crocs for its campaign, Your Crocs, Your Story, Your World, further cemented the ergonomic clog as one of 2025’s most visible festive trends.
So how did clogs go from being dismissed as unfashionable to becoming the it-shoes of the moment?
The shift can largely be traced back to the pandemic, which fundamentally altered the way people related to their homes. As life turned inward, many took to gardening — both as a practical means of sustenance and as a form of therapy. Studies from the period suggest that nearly one in three people began gardening during 2020 and 2021.
This renewed interest in gardening coincided with a surge in e-commerce spending, pushing garden wear into the mainstream. Clogs, with their easy slip-on design and utilitarian appeal, quickly became the vanguard of this movement. At the same time, the steady rise ofcottagecore blurred the boundaries between workwear and fashion, favouring clothes that balanced function with softness and nostalgia. What was once considered heavy-duty or outdoorsy began to feel intentional; even stylish.
Fashion soon took note. When JW Anderson introduced amphibious Wellipets in Milan, it marked a turning point. From Burberry to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s horticulture-inspired collections at Dior, utilitarian garden aesthetics began appearing across luxury mood boards. Think Monty Don’s signature blue cotton work jacket — practical, recognisable and quietly stylish. As fashion’s fascination with functionality deepened, the clog’s appeal became undeniable.
Get Prachi Srivastava’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Designers such as Simone Rocha and Cecilie Bahnsen sent glitter-encrusted and sculptural clogs down the runway, reimagining the shoe as something playful and expressive. Meanwhile, classic throwback styles made a strong return at Chloé Spring/Summer 2025, fuelling the wider resurgence of boho fashion. FitFlop’s viral rubber slip-ons, too, continue to dominate wardrobes this year.
Globally, the trend has taken on a sharper edge. French brand Plasticana’s Gardana clog — crafted from hemp-based plastic — has captured attention for its sustainable credentials and stripped-back aesthetic. It isn’t alone. Certain Birkenstock styles that went viral on TikTok have sold out almost instantly, underlining the clog’s mass appeal.
Footwear brands across the globe have responded in kind, releasing iterations that stay true to the simple slip-on form while layering in new cultural relevance.
At its core, the clog’s resurgence reflects a deeper shift in the way we dress. Fashion has turned inward, prioritising functionality without abandoning style. Getting dressed today is less about being seen by others and more about seeing ourselves. The result is a deliberately mismatched aesthetic: linen trousers, oversized shirts, and rubber clogs — fragmented, but never unsettled.
The return of the so-called ‘ugly shoe’ signals a rejection of rigid beauty standards and overly polished dressing. Take the Salehe Bembury × Crocs Pollex clog, for instance. With its ridged, almost sculptural surface, it reads less like footwear and more like an object. Yet demand for it remains consistently high. This is a cultural shift — one where luxury resonates privately rather than performing publicly.
The emphasis has moved from what looks right to what feels right. The change is quiet, grounding and deeply human. Beauty isn’t discarded; it is redefined. Rooted in self-acceptance and ease, the anti-aesthetic movement allows fashion to exist without anxiety or performance.
Clogs may be rooted in utility, but their modern incarnations are anything but modest. They are not trying to be discreet — and neither are we. After all, why blend in when your clogs can lead the way!
Join me for some interesting conversations on Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Home Décor. Listen to Closet to Curtains Podcast
