Crocs are having a moment. Questlove wore them to the OscarsOpens in a new tab. Succession‘s Nicholas Braun spent a lot of the last 15 months hyping the comfy Croslite shoes on his InstagramOpens in a new tab. (And its fun decorative assets known, quite bafflingly, as jibbitz.) In 2020, we eschewed bras and jeansOpens in a new tab for comfy clothing, and our feet got in on the action.
While oft-maligned, the shoe is making a comeback in a very big way, this time coming for our hearts and minds—not just our worn, tired feet. You see, Crocs are not about to go the way of ballerina flats. With the brand’s latest foray into high fashion, the famously flat shoes are no more. Crocs’ new collaborationOpens in a new tab with Balenciaga is firmly breaking the comfortable formerly foam-based mold. Enter stiletto Crocs. Yes, these shoes now come armed with several inches of heel. And just like that… the biting pain that usually occurs after hour seven in high heels is nipping at my arches.
Balenciaga
The collaboration, which we first saw at The Mary SueOpens in a new tab, reportedly debuted as part of Balenciaga’s Spring ’22 collection. Thus far, there aren’t many details available. Namely, exactly how much the shoes cost, the heel’s height, whether they come in colors other than Nickelodeon Slime green and black. But we can surmise, based on Balenciaga’s previous collaboration with the brand— 2017’s $850 platform CrocsOpens in a new tab—that they’ll cost an exorbitant amount of money. Crocs’ collaboration with Christopher Kane also boasted several hundred-dollar shoes.)
While previous Crocs collabs featured fun, limited-edition designsOpens in a new tab on the tried and true shoe model, the Stiletto Crocs appears to be new territory for the brand. And we must applaud the effort. Way to keep it fresh, Crocs. Do I want a pair of these audacious shoes? My head is saying, “No,” but my heart is also saying, “no.” My feet, meanwhile, are crying “Ouch, think of us!” And yet… I’m intrigued.
Does it make sense to remove the redeeming quality, comfort, from Crocs? Certainly not. But for those who inevitably run, not walk, to buy these stilettos, please avoid cobblestone streets!
