Lifestyle

‘Ugly’ Crocs make huge quarantine comeback: How to snap up a hot pair

Just like its sturdy rubber material, Crocs have managed to survive and thrive.

The proudly “ugly” utility shoe brand favored by everyone from Justin Bieber to your average home gardener expects to report a fourth-quarter revenue spike — from $407 to  $410 million — for 2020, Crocs announced this week. They project another “accelerated” growth bump of 25% in 2021.

“Amidst a global pandemic in 2020, we will deliver the strongest revenue in Crocs’ history,” CEO Andrew Rees said in a statement this week. “Our brand momentum is exceptional, and we anticipate another record year in 2021.”

Comfort was valued above all else this year, as working from home meant an emergence of sweatpants, pajamas and no-pants Zoom meetings.

Since the only excursion many have is to and from the mailbox, why shouldn’t the polarizing rubber clogs make a comeback?

Other classically “ugly” styles made a comeback in 2020, including but not limited to flared leggings, fuzzy bucket hats and denim-on-denim to name a few.

Despite their look, Crocs has been insanely successful in marketing to the next generation of fashion consumers — looking at you, Gen Z. Collaborations with celebs like Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Bad Bunny sell out within hours, if that.

A woman wears a pair of white Crocs in a warehouse
Crocs

The most recent restock of the Grateful Dead and Chinatown Market collab sold out in a few hours after their release on Jan. 12.

A white Croc shoe with Jibbitz charms and "Our Best Jibbitz of 2020" written in black
Crocs

Since beauty is truly in the eyes, and feet, of the beholder, we rounded up some of our top Croc picks, from classic colors to fur-lined winter clogs and everything in between. Make sure to pick up some Croc-adorning Jibbitz, too, if you want to go all-in on the comeback clogs.

Crocs Unisex Coast Clogs, $40

A black Croc clog shoe
Walmart

When in doubt, stick with the classics.

The unisex option is a great basic shoe for those who are just starting to slip into Crocs, or just need to replace their longtime favorite pair. The unisex option, sold at Walmart, comes in black, white, navy, gray, pink and light blue, and are now on sale for $39.99, down from $44.95.

Crocs Adult Classic Fuzz-Lined Clogs, $50

A pair of gray Crocs lined with fur
Dick's Sporting Goods

A bestseller for the weather, these fuzz-lined clogs combine the fur of other fellow “ugly” shoe, UGGs, with the the classic rubber body and back strap of Crocs.

The shoes are lined with what they call “fuzz” but can still be customized with the Jibbitz charms in the holes on the top panel of the clog. Sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods, the fuzzy shoes come in a wide range of colors including a metallic silver, neon green and more tame options such as black, white and light blue.

Animal Print Crocs, starting at $26

Three pairs of animal print Crocs
Amazon

Why stop at just one trend when you could combine them?

Embrace both Crocs and animal print, with a whole jungle-inspired collection. On their Amazon page, check out Crocs with leopard print, snake skin and zebra stripes. No clue why there isn’t a crocodile pair on the site yet, but with new styles all the time, there is bound to be soon.

Kid’s Glitter Clogs, $30

Glitter purple Croc shoes
DSW

Get the kids in on the fashion-forward (or fashion-backward?) trend, with a pair of glitter crocs in toddler and kids sizing.

Sold at DSW, the glitter pair comes in both pink and purple, ranging in size from a four infant to a six youth. They also carry a fuzz-lined gold glitter pair, available in a size four infant through size 11 toddler.

Crocs Adult Classic Realtree Edge Clogs, $45

One camouflage Croc
Dick's Sporting Goods

Watch out! There may be a croc lurking in the camouflage.

Look really close, and you’ll see these camo-pattern Crocs, sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods in unisex sizing. The shoes feature realistic tree and branch imagery, great for hunting, nature walks or simply to bring the outside to you while at home.

Tie-Dye Graphic Clogs, $45

Two pairs of tie-dye Crocs
Crocs

Another trend that blasted back from the past, combine the 70’s tie-dye craze with your Crocs, now in new shades and patterns.

The classic rainbow tie-dye is fully stocked, ranging in sizes from a men’s four and women’s six to a men’s 13 and women’s 12. They also come in two different pastel tie-dye patterns, a patriotic red, white and blue tie-dye and a neon option.