Crocs: How buying shoes turned into a lesson on peer pressure
But I warn you, I am about to use the "h" word as there's just no other way to express how I feel about this particular topic. Because I hate Crocs. Really and truly I do. And it's that time of year when dandelions are inevitably popping up on my lawn, those ugly, clunky plastic shoes are popping up. Everywhere.
I remember when Crocs first hit the mainstream several years back. "Shoes with holes?" I thought. Who would wear these? What kind of person would purposely make their foot resemble a duck-billed platypus? This trend won't last, I predicted. You probably shouldn't take my stock tips, either.
Today Crocs are everywhere; they've become as acceptable in our sloppy new world as PJ pants at the grocery store. Men wear them, women wear them (a red flag right there- unisex shoes?), and it seems like every child in America wears them.
And of course they must be accessorized with those little knick-knacky "Jibbitz" things. And if that wasn't enough personalization for you, the folks at Crocs have come up with an assortment of products to fit every facet of your life. High-heeled Crocs for those special occasions. College logo Crocs to honor your alma mater. Nice warm fleece-lined Crocs for winter. Hey, Crocs people, I have news for you: Appropriate footwear for winter already exist, and we call them boots.
A few years back my Croc-wearing in-laws gave my husband a pair for his birthday. I'm not sure if this was intended to be a gag gift or not, but it did certainly make me want to gag. The offensive footwear was quickly removed to an undisclosed location.
Recently a Croc-o-philic relative (who also happens to be a lawyer) argued in defense of the plastic shoes that they should be considered a sandal alternative, and thus should be tolerated if worn to places where sandals would be appropriate. Perhaps if Crocs had stayed at the park and the playground I wouldn't have such an issue with them. But those nasty plastic things have shown up in offices, at "nicer" restaurants, and even (may the good Lord have mercy on your soles) at church.
Given my strong feelings about Crocs you might find it odd, perhaps even hypocritical, to hear that I recently purchased a pair for my son. Not actual Crocs, as I am far too cheap for that, but Target's in-house brand of Colorful, Ridiculous And Plastic Slip-On Shoes (we'll call them CRAPSS for short).
It was partly a move born out of potty training, which has made me see the potential merits of a hose-friendly shoe. It was partly because my almost 3-year-old son has entered the "I Can Do It ALL BY MYSELF" phase, and while he can in fact put on regular shoes by himself, it requires setting aside 45 minutes to accomplish. But it was mostly because while walking past the rack of CRAPSS my sweet little boy yelled out "Mommy! Look at those shoes!" and rattled off the names of all his CRAPSS-wearing friends. "Aidan has those shoes and Carter has those shoes and James has those shoes and Sophie has those shoes and Nicholas has those shoes!" Yes, at the tender age of 2.5 my child had his first case of "I want what everyone else has," and I caved.
I have memories of waging this war with my own parents (remember jelly shoes?), having grown up in a brand-obsessed suburb of Detroit. As a result I can't stand the sight of anything with an obvious logo emblazoned upon it. Burberry plaid makes me dizzy. Louis Vuitton's emblem-covered bags? Gross. I've spent three years trying to convince a well-meaning grandparent that the designer clothes she insists on buying for my toddler (Hint: They feature a man on horseback playing a game with a stick) are neither well-made, well-fitting, nor well-worth the ridiculous cost.
Now I'm left staring at those silly shoes and wondering how I cashed in my resolve with the $9.99 price tag. It's just one pair of bright blue shoes, but with that purchase I know we've entered new territory: a minefield where peer pressure threatens to explode with every step.
How do you know where to draw the line? Of course we all want our children to be happy and well-adjusted. But how do we teach them in an increasingly consumer-driven, materialistic world to value what truly matters? Which battles are worth fighting and which ones don't hold water any better than a plastic shoe with holes?
Parenting is full of tough decisions and every single one, no matter how big or small, whether a matter of the heart or the foot, comes with consequences. If anyone tells you otherwise ... well, it's a crock.
Mona Shand is a TV and radio news reporter and a mother of two. You can read more on her blog.
Comments
jrbozo
Fri, May 14, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.
I'm with you Mona. I just keep fighting that "must have what everyone else has" mindset. It is difficult with kids though. Luckily, for me, our boys have not fallen for every fashion "need" that kids sometimes get in to. Could it be because their mother goes on tirades about this very subject from time to time? Let me tell you about the darn Pokeman craze......maybe another time. Thanks for sharing, I appreciated it.
townie54
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.
never had any,never had the desire.Just the simple fact that everyone in the world was buying them made me not buy them
Beth
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 7:39 a.m.
Crocs actually makes a variety of sandals, some dressy, and I confess to having worn a pair to church. You really wouldn't know they're Crocs, they're extremely comfortable, and I don't have to worry about ruining my dress shoes on a rainy day! :-) My kids love their Crocs, and my husband just broke down and ordered a pair of sandals, too....
kate
Thu, May 13, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
But if you've ever worn Crocs you would know how comfortable they are! I wear fleece lined ones arounf the house instead of slippers in the winter. The cushioning is much less fatiguing on my legs when working around the house. I wear another pair when working in the garden. I can just hose them off if they get wet and muddy. They may not be pretty but they are functional and very comfortable. Just so you know, Croc knockoffs are just not as comfortable as the real thing.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 9:46 p.m.
I found them funny at first. That being said, hey serve two purposes for me, an outdoor slipper and they are actually great when on the boat and going into the lake, much less suffocating than surf socks. We never used to be too concerend about our feet in the water but when our youngest at two years old gashed the bottom of her toe open on either a zebra mussel shell, piece of glass, piece of tin or some other foreign object in the water we became a little more avid about protecting our feet when walking in natural water. Crocs float too;) My vote for most hideous shoe is the low top duck shoe of the 80's with the rubber sould that covered the whole shoe. Not functional at all, if you got the boots I could see that, but the shoe, that wasn't doing anything but justifying the publication of the "Preppy Handbook".
Poppy
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 7:52 p.m.
I have to say the Vibram Fivefingers shoes are the ugliest things I have ever seen and make Crocs look like Jimmy Choos! My friend bought them and it makes him look like a swamp creature.
bunnyabbot
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 3:34 p.m.
I think this might be one of the few times I agree with Adam.
Lokalisierung
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 1:40 p.m.
crocs are so bad.
Mona Shand
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
@Tammy- Thanks for giving me a more valid reason to dislike them! Clearly they are weapons of mass toe destruction. :-) @citrus- I'll have to look into the Merrells- thanks! @Jessica- oh how I do feel your pain! I have ginormously wide but small feet that will never look "dainty" or "elegant." But fortunately websites like zappos.com have helped me find at least some womens' shoes that fit. @liekkio - I am neurotic, I admit. @bedrog - a convert! @Barb- see above re: my neurosis. :-) @nimbus123- you are definitely not alone!
nimbus123
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 1 p.m.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE crocs! Have several pairs. Go everywhere with them.
Barb
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
Considering I can't remember the last time I was on an escalator, I'm not overly concerned - they're 'way cheaper than most sandals (yes, really) and last a heckuva lot longer with my active kids. And the clean up can't be beat. Plus, my kids like them because they're so fast to get on and off. I love mine in the garden and for dog-walking. What I don't get is why people have such strong opinions about them. I'm with liekkio: Just don't buy them if they offend you so! I'm there with Ugg boots. :)
bedrog
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
once an avid croc wearer im now a hater...why? because their very seductive comfort ( cool, loose) allows your feet to wander and in my case at least led to ankle problems and bunions, now fixed with well fitting, tightly tied 'conventionals'. i too have heard that their sole lugs can get trapped in escalator treads, with consequences that don't bear thinking about.
liekkio
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
Crocs are just shoes, not some great and terrible symbol of anything in particular. Buy them (or not), wear them (or not), wash when soiled, toss when done with them. But having "strong feelings about Crocs", considering a "battle" and imagining a "minefield"? Talk about making mountains out of molehills.
citrus
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
My daughter had a brief Croc episode age 3-4. She was given a pair by a special relative. Eventually, wanting to DO things trumped all. She could run faster, climb higher, walk in wood chips without them, and so she didn't want to wear them anymore. Function over form is a tough choice for adults, too. I had a hard time justifying heels to her! ("I know it's silly, but sometimes when they go to a party, women want to look a certain way even if it doesn't feel as good.") We swear by Merrell mocs. Inexpensive knock-offs abound. They are relatively breathable suede. She can put them on herself and wear them year-round.
Tammy Mayrend
Wed, May 12, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
So if I commented that Croc-like shoes are terribly unsafe and kids have gotten them stuck in escalators and other places would it make you feel better in your dislike? I'm a fellow Croc-hating mother. Can't stand them. Won't buy them. Think they're appropriate for the shower or the beach only - I guess I feel the same about flip-flops that offer no support too... When my children want them, they can spend their hard-earned cash on them. Luckily for me they have expressed no desire to wear or want them! When they wanted to fun jibits things (or whatever they are called) my mom got them bracelets that decorations could be snapped on!