I don't get the ugly shoe trend

[ktkl09]

Last year I noticed, while back in the States, lots of women wearing "Tom's" shoes...they're ugly, I don't get it.

This goes for Crocs too, but I do like Uggs (for the warmth!).

Anyone else with me?

[anna7602]

I don't like Crocs or Uggs, but I have actually considered getting a pair of Tom's. They look really comfy. If I lived in a country again where I didn't give a crap about people judging my feet, I would get some.

But, even though it makes no sense, I DO care about French people judging my feet. I can't explain it, even to myself.

[ktkl09]

Anna, I'm totally with you. People just don't wear shoes like this in Europe. I would feel judged. I feel judged on days that I wear my Puma's because I know I will have to do a lot of walking at work that day.

[cupcakes]

Yeah I'm with you for sure!
I never liked any of those shoes before I moved.

I have really bad feet and I have a difficult time finding shoes but I don't wear sneakers unless I'm working out. However on Sunday when I went to the flotilla I really considered wearing sneakers since I was standing for 6 hours. However it was raining so I didn't wear them in the end and my feet still hurt.

[Cheesecake]

I'll admit I own crocks. I love wearing them while gardening, or when I taught sailing lessons (because they actually float).
I also admit that I think they're hideous.

Don't like Toms either, and I totally love uggs if it's winter and there's tons of snow and you wear them to walk/wade through the snow, with proper wintery clothing. Wearing them any other way, IMNSHO is wrong!

[bugabean]

I love my Crocs. www.crocs.eu/crocs-a-leigh-mini-wedge-leather/11847,en_ES,pd.html?cid=15N&cgid=women-footwear-heelsWedges

lol I'd never wear the original style though unless I was boating. They're designed as boating shoes, not go to the mall shoes!

[doctoranda]

I like the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes.

[azure]

I don't mind the look of Toms, they remind me of espadrilles that people wear around here in the summer and cost about 5 Euros, I would never pay $50 for them!

[miss1991]

I love uggs also, mine are pretty old need a new pair. Would never wear crocs but possibly find I don't think there cute but if they're comfy I might change my mind.

[cupcakes]

Jun 5, 2012 7:51:34 GMT -5 doctoranda said:

I like the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes.

The thing is if you want to donate money, donate money. So little of the actual money from the product goes to the charity it's not a good reason to buy fug shoes. It's a huge marketing ploy. I don't buy into pink stuff or other charity items anymore. Only 3% or something like that has to go to charity to be a charity item in the US.

[doctoranda]

Jun 5, 2012 8:29:31 GMT -5 cupcakes said:

Jun 5, 2012 7:51:34 GMT -5 doctoranda said:

I like the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes.

The thing is if you want to donate money, donate money. So little of the actual money from the product goes to the charity it's not a good reason to buy fug shoes. It's a huge marketing ploy. I don't buy into pink stuff or other charity items anymore. Only 3% or something like that has to go to charity to be a charity item in the US.

You are right. I have to admit I have never bought Toms in my life.

[bugabean]

I had to look up Toms. They do make some that look ok, but yeah, the classic style is ugly.

[Deleted]

I had to google TOMs as well. Some of them look okay, not really my style though.
Uggs - these are INSIDE shoes. Slippers. I wore them as a child when they cost $20. Not £180 like they cost now. They are not designed to be worn outside and definitely not in wet weather. But meh, each to their own. If you want to wear slippers outside, do. To me it's like wearing pyjama bottoms and calling them trousers because they are the same shape.
Crocs - practical for boating etc. Wearing as part of a considered outfit? Not so much.

[loveday]

Toms are HIDEOUS. Same goes for Crocs. Cannot stand them.

[potatopie]

I'm with bugabean. Crocs offers some other styles that are really comfy and practical. I have a ballet flat that I can't find on the website anymore. I like 'em because they dry quickly and have a lot of shock absorption.

Been contemplating Tom's, again because they're comfy and practical. But I hear they wear out quickly.

[frlcb]

I don't mind toms, and dd has a pair that are sparkly and so cute

I also like Uggs but don't care that they are ugly

[Wanderista]

Yep, I don't get these trends either though I do totally think that people can wear what they want. I can understand wanting to have shoes to beat up when doing chores or activities or just to wear when you want to be lazy at home. It is kind of like walking around in pyjamas outside though.

I wear mary janes, they've been my primary shoe style of choice for like 5 yrs+ now. I love them because I feel like they go with almost anything while still being a bit stylish and quirky. I can walk for miles in them or dance at a rock concert or go to work or go out to dinner. They look classic and vintage but also trendy. So yeah, I'm in love.

I also have a pair of really cute snowboots lined with tasteful faux fur, various sandals, a pair of great sailor shoes from New England and plenty of trendy heels that I barely ever wear.

[ktkl09]

Crocs work well in the garden, I just don't get people who wear them in public, except for little kids.

[popcorn]

I probably would've gotten and worn Toms if I lived in the US, but after living in Spain I feel like they are too informal.

Here in my town in Germany I could probably wear them too, but not in Frankfurt from what I've seen.

I don't think they are hideous, but I don't think they are pretty either. They do look comfy.

Crocs I definitely can't get behind unless you're a nurse or have some feet issues (seriously, you gotta be good to your feet sometimes!).

[Deleted]

I have yet to see a single pair on anyone in Switzerland. Plus they look like they would fall apart after a week's worth of walking in a country where everyone walks everywhere!

[casarosada]

I love Toms and actually have seen quite a few Spaniards wearing them. I've seen them for sale in a few shops. I've always wanted a pair but since they're a lot more expensive here I'm going to wait until I return to the states (in less than a month :-( )

I can't get behind crocs though...u.g.l.y.

[allibally]

Jun 5, 2012 12:53:10 GMT -5 @switzerland said:

I have yet to see a single pair on anyone in Switzerland. Plus they look like they would fall apart after a week's worth of walking in a country where everyone walks everywhere!

I've seen Toms in Zurich last summer. Definitely on Swiss teens. They were selling them for double the price at one of the shops at the Hauptbahnhof.

I have Toms. I like them because they are one of the few shoes that don't give me blisters. I'm paying for not wearing them to the beach last Sunday. I'm now limited in what shoes I can wear for the next week because of my blisters from a different pair of shoes.

[allibally]

Jun 5, 2012 11:24:41 GMT -5 @ktkl09 said:

Crocs work well in the garden, I just don't get people who wear them in public, except for little kids.

I watched a news report on Crocs and children. Just don't let them wear them at train stations, shopping malls, and anywhere with escalators. If you google crocs and escalators on YouTube it's shocking how easy their feet can get pulled it. Some incidents have resulted in lost toes even.

[GilliC]

I never understood Uggs. I can't imagine it getting that cold and there not being snow on the ground.
I :heart: my insulated GoreTex winter boots.

I know a lot of people who wear Crocs here, but only as their "office" shoes. Many people take off their shoes when they get to work (especially when it's really slushy and gross outside), but it's nice to have something with a hard sole to put on to go to the canteen, use the stairwells, etc.

Have you seen that Ikea makes their own version of Crocs?

[GilliC]

(No assembly required, so your hardwood floors and husbandly rites of passage are safe!)

[dorothyinAus]

Jun 5, 2012 8:29:31 GMT -5 cupcakes said:

Jun 5, 2012 7:51:34 GMT -5 doctoranda said:

I like the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes.

The thing is if you want to donate money, donate money. So little of the actual money from the product goes to the charity it's not a good reason to buy fug shoes. It's a huge marketing ploy. I don't buy into pink stuff or other charity items anymore. Only 3% or something like that has to go to charity to be a charity item in the US.

The practice of pinking for the cure has been dubbed Pink Washing. Most companies in the US have a set amount they will donate, and anything above that amount in sales is pure profit to the company. I really stopped supporting the Pink for the Cure campaigns after I read more about Pink Washing.

I read an article from a missionary about the Toms shoes and she reported that the people who get the donated shoes don't need them and usually don't use them, so the shoes are in essence wasted. I like the idea, but the execution needs to be worked on.

I wouldn't wear Toms, Crocs or Uggs. But I don't really comment on other people wearing them, except to give a serious side eye to the people I see wearing Ugg boots with short shorts and cropped or sleeveless tops.

[clickerish]

This is the country of people wearing pijamas to just about anywhere. I find it baffling. I do own Uggs but these:

www.uggaustralia.com/womens-evera-suede-sneakers/1888,default,pd.html?dwvar_1888_color=PWTR&start=2&cgid=women-casuals-sneakers

I didn't realise they were Uggs until I tried them on, loved them, and then had to recant. Sigh.

[frauschmindy]

Jun 5, 2012 7:51:34 GMT -5 doctoranda said:

I like the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes.

They are pretty damaging to the local economy of the places they are supposed to "help." They create a surplus and kill local businesses.

[Deleted]

I don't wear Uggs for the following reason: [from the PETA files]

UGG boots are made of sheepskin (yep, someone's skin, people!). The sheep who are killed for UGGs are often Merino sheep—just like Pete (pictured here). Every year, millions of sheep are castrated, have part of their tails cut off (some even have their horns hot-branded), and then have their throats slit for their skin, which is what UGG boots are made of. All this—just for the sake of a pair of boots.

[jigginjessica]

I actually love Toms, I own 3 pairs.

I don't like classic Crocs, but there are a few new styles that I could actually see myself wearing - if I felt like spending a ton of money on rubber shoes.
I don't get the "Roman" style sandals. I don't want all that crap around my ankle.