From dad sandals and Bottega-inspired puddle boots to divisive chunky trainers, the fashion crowd likes to make a strong case for “ugly” shoes. And leading the pack, clogs have clomped their way back into our wardrobe to become one of the shoe styles of the moment – so much so, that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw has plumped for a pair in the latest series of And Just Like That.
In keeping with the shoe’s 13th-century Dutch roots, clogs are characterised by their slip-on design, open back, wooden sole and slightly upturned and rounded toe. But while once associated with practical work, the style has since evolved from a farmer’s shoe of choice to a fashion statement.
Contemporary takes on the age-old shoe were pioneered in the spring collections of Hermes and Louis Vuitton last year, with designers including Chanel and Dior soon following suit. Now, the laid-back slip-on is dominating the high street, Instagram feeds and, it seems, Carrie’s 2023 wardrobe.
Tossing aside her trademark Manolo Blahnik heeled pumps, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character has been snapped donning a pair of Gucci logo-adorned slip-ons while filming in Manhattan. The luxe pair distinctly resemble Birkenstock’s coveted Boston’s (one of the most in-demand shoes of 2021/2022), which has prompted many fashion heads to ponder if a Gucci X Birkenstock collaboration is on the cards for the not-so-distant future.
Loved by Kendall Jenner, Mia Regan and Kaia Geber, Birkenstock’s Boston clogs have rapidly risen to cult status thanks to their comfort-first design. Meanwhile, Croc’s rubbery clogs have become one of fashion’s most polarising trends, with Balenciaga even having an ongoing runway collaboration with the brand.
How we tested
With Carrie Bradshaw putting her seal of approval on clogs, we’ve found the best pairs of to clop into 2023 in. For the edit, we looked for pairs that retained all the classic clog signatures, as well as trend-led takes on the traditional style. Considering aesthetics, price, wearability and quality. Above all, we assessed how comfortable each pair was.
Whether you’re channeling Sex and the City or are after a contemporary and cool take on the wooden shoe, these are the best clogs to buy right now.
The best women’s clogs for 2022 are:
- Best overall – Free People culver city clogs: £158, Freepeople.com
- Best rubber clogs – Crocs classic, celery: £35.99, Crocs.co.uk
- Best for comfort – Birkenstock Boston clogs: £125, Birkenstock.com
- Best black leather clog – Mango studded leather clogs: £48, Asos.com
- Best fur-lined clog – Russell & Bromley luxo backless clog loafer: £245, Russellandbromley.co.uk