Are You Ready For The Spring/Summer Shoe?

You remember Crocs – those bulbous rubber shoes worn by your mum’s mate who has no attachment to material things. There are few items more loathed than Crocs. And few items more comfortable. Because if you’ve ever actually put your foot inside a Croc (usually found in the aisles of suburban shopping centres where they also sell 3D canvases of waterfalls and One Direction calendars) then you know that they are foot heaven. Those who have stomached the shame of actually wearing Crocs will know that they feel like sitting on a beach with a warm ray of sunshine just catching your face, and a light sea breeze blowing through your hair. And now, like their Birkenstock forefathers, Crocs are having the most unexpected of high fashion moments. This is down to one man: Christopher Kane. In general, what C Kane says, goes, and as one of the most revered designers in the fashion industry, his show is about the hottest ticket at London Fashion Week. Why? Because he takes things out of their boxes. This season, Kane worked with religious iconography, bright white plastic flower patterns and beautiful mineral stones on metal framed skirts. The accompanying Crocs weren’t exactly the red rubber ones in the shopping centre aisles either, but dressed up versions adorned with stones and metallic paint.

Now Crocs are trending and we’re being forced to confront the demon head on. Will we accept, even embrace Crocs? Did we mention how comfortable they were? Over the last few years fashion editors have swapped their stilettos for trainers and Crocs might just be the next step in that style evolution. Of course, the reason they look cool now is because they’re one small part of a full look designed by Christopher Kane, so it could be unwise to remove them from that context. Crocs have finally arrived. Are you in or are you out?