CLOGS

Clogs are footwear with a characteristic rigid, often wooden sole and a closed front part, often, though not always, backless (traditional Dutch klompen are fully enclosed). Classic clogs were carved entirely from wood; they come from the peasant and artisan life of Europe (Dutch klompen), where they protected the feet from damp and dirt. The wooden platform makes clogs stable, durable and lifts the foot off the ground. Modern clogs have kept the recognisable massive sole, but the top is now made of leather or textile, and they are readily worn both in the city and as comfortable work footwear (medics, cooks — where rubber crocs-clogs are popular). Clogs are a combination of artisan authenticity, practicality and a characteristic, slightly rough aesthetic. They return to the runways cyclically as a tribute to naturalness and folk charm.