New York magazine has published a brief history of fads for ugly shoes, from Birkenstocks to Klompens to the appropriately named Uggs. The common cause seems to be that the heinous-looking footwear catches on in the name of “comfort” (obviously of the physical, not visual kind), to which all other values—e.g., beauty, basic dignity—are sacrificed. Also, most of the culprits appear to be of foreign origin, making Izzy wonder whether border control ought to shift the focus of its energies.
I don’t understand how they can be comfortable
Comment by overpriced designer man bag — November 7, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
I used to look down on Birkenstocks as a worthless, hippy shoe. Now with the emergence of plastic Crocs, Birkenstocks look altogether different!
Comment by Alan B. — November 8, 2007 @ 12:59 am
Aren’t Crocs the most unflattering shoes ever! I wouldn’t mock Doc Martens and Capezios too much though. While not very elegant they do have their place in style history…
Comment by bilal — November 8, 2007 @ 10:13 am
I concur with Crocs. Bleech. I once attended a funeral and saw the priest wearing them. Yes, a priest at a funeral.
Comment by Andy K. — November 17, 2007 @ 10:49 pm