The Day I Bought Crocs

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This post on stylish Crocs contains affiliate links meaning purchases made through included links may result in Splendry earning a small commission at no cost to you. 

A few things about me:

1. I am a fashion blogger and have worked in styling and personal shopping for about ten years.
2. I’m one of those people who are usually overdressed and whose idea of casual is still, well, not casual.
3. I own a pretty stellar collection of shoes, of which many are heels and the only “comfort” shoes I wear are for exercise.

Which brings us to now. What a strange confession to make today…I bought Crocs. 

This all came about because I needed comfortable walking shoes. I’m going on vacation in a few weeks and will be doing a lot of walking and needed shoes that can actually offer some comfort and support. (For me, comfortable walking shoes generally means less than a two-inch heel, or flats with zero arch support.)

Maybe it’s getting older, maybe it’s just the thought of walking miles a day and feeling every. single. step. in my feet, but I thought I better attempt to find something that won’t have me crying in the midst of sightseeing and vacation shopping sprees. I did a little research and one brand kept popping up.

And while I’ve heard people speak for years about the comfort of this particular brand, I never once considered them an option. But then I started seeing fashion bloggers and people whose style I like also recommending this brand. Could it be true? Do stylish Crocs actually exist???? 

Though my husband reminded me I could lose all credibility as a style blogger, I took a chance. The particular style I wanted, the Rio, wasn’t sold in stores around me, so I ordered them from Amazon (they had free returns). It looks like this shoe is either out of production or currently out of stock, but the Sloane version (Amazon link) or the Sienna looks pretty similar!

They came in the mail and when I saw them in person I felt a strange mixture of guilt and excitement. And as wrong as it felt, sliding them onto my feet felt just as good. 

So far they were meeting all my criteria for black flats: stylish, pointed toe, chic looking, and comfortable. The true test though would be actually wearing them out and walking A LOT! So, I did!

I’ve had a few shopping jobs since then and I’ve worn them every time. (I’m not talking leisurely strolls through the mall, I’m talking 5-6 hours of seriously fast walking.) No blisters, no aching lower back. No bruised-feeling heels or arches. They felt cushion-y and supportive all day!

*Update as of July 2020: I’ve since worn them to Europe twice and used them as my walking shoes. After miles and miles of walking my feet and legs would be sore, but no more so than my other travel companions (who were wearing actual sneakers), I’d call that a win.

Dang it, Crocs. I don’t want to like you. I really don’t.  

A few pros and cons:

Cons of Buying Crocs:

• You’re wearing Crocs, and that might require a mental and emotional adjustment period.
• Because of the material (a plastic rubbery-type), your feet might sweat a little (honestly, it wasn’t much). Considering it’s been scorching outside, I was more than satisfied with how my feet felt all day. No blisters or anything.
• No half sizes in this particular style. I wear an 8.5 and ordered up to a 9. This worked great for me, but a thin insert would probably help if it felt a little too big.
• Also because of the shoe material, they might get a few scratches here and there, but I didn’t feel like mine were noticeable. *Update as of July 2020, I’ve now been wearing this same pair for five years and they’re still in great shape!

Pros of Buying Crocs:

• They look like a “regular” shoe, none of that comfy/travel/support-type clunky stuff.
• They would work with pants, skirts, dresses, jeans, whatever. I love a classic black pointy toe flat.
• THEY ARE COMFORTABLE. As comfortable as wearing a pair of sensible support socks and running shoes? Maybe not. But, would I ever wear that unless I’m working out/doing something athletic? No. What I would normally wear for this same occasion would be a pair of black flats or sandals with zero arch support or cushion. Are they more comfortable than that? A million times, yes!
• No squeaking. I was afraid the material would be squeaky, particularly on tile floors (like, the entire mall), but they didn’t!

A few of the other stylish Crocs styles I’m liking:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

As much as it pains me, I can doing nothing but endorse Crocs. Wait, I can do nothing but endorse certain styles of Crocs. I’m talking stylish Crocs, the “classic” clog style is still the stuff my nightmares are made of. Though my chef friends (or others who work on their feet all day) certainly feel differently. No judgement here. I too, am a fellow Croc owner. :)

Are you a fan of Crocs? Spill!

Originally published August 25, 2015