Game-mode: enabled. Xbox and Crocs have teamed up to release an exclusive collection.
Ready up with this controller-meets-clog design that reimagines the iconic Xbox controller with fixed buttons and joysticks into the perfect shoe for couch co-op and kicking back – complete with cushioned footbeds adorned with Player Left and Player Right, which give expert-level comfort to support your next session.
TOKYO (AP) — Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character’s fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle and a national tour. And that’s just in Japan, her literal birthplace but not the one listed in her official biography.
Confused? Welcome to the party. If there’s one thing about Hello Kitty, it’s that she’s proven adaptable and as much a study in contrasts during her long career. She — and Kitty is a she, according to the company that owns her — may have been conceived as a vessel for the feelings of others, but some women see an empowering symbol in her mouthless face.
“Shrewd” is how Mika Nishimura, a design professor at Tokyo’s Meisei University, describes the way Hello Kitty conquered the worlds of commerce, fashion and entertainment. As a tabula rasa open to interpretation, the non-threatening creation was the perfect vehicle for making money, she said.
“American feminists have said she doesn’t say anything and acquiesces to everyone. But in Japan, we also see how she may appear happy if you’re happy, and sad if you’re feeling sad,” Nishimura told The Associated Press. “It’s a product strategy that’s sheer genius. By being so adaptable, Kitty gets all those collaborative deals.”
A visitor looks at giant Hello Kitty display at the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
The character’s semicentennial is evidence of that. Sanrio, the Japanese entertainment company that holds the rights to Hello Kitty’s name and image, kicked off the festivities a year ago with an animation account on TikTok, Roblox games and an avatar for the social networking app Zepeto.
There have been anniversary editions of merchandise ranging from pet collars, cosmetics and McDonald’s Happy Meals to Crocs and a Baccarat crystal figurine. A gold coin pendant with the image of Hello Kitty holding the number 50 is selling for about 120,000 yen ($800), while a Casio watch costs 18,700 yen ($120).
But first, more on the origin story.
Unlike Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, Hello Kitty didn’t start as a cartoon. A young Sanrio illustrator named Yuko Shimizu drew her in 1974 as a decoration for stationery, tote bags, cups and other small accessories. The design made its debut on a coin purse the next year and became an instant hit in Japan.
A visitor looks at Hello Kitty display at the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
As Hello Kitty’s commercial success expanded beyond Asia, so did her personal profile. By the late 1970s, Sanrio revealed the character’s name as Kitty White, her height as five apples tall and her birthplace as suburban London, where the company said she lived with her parents and twin sister Mimmy.
“The main theme of Hello Kitty is friendship. When I first created it, I made a family of which Kitty was a part. But then Hello Kitty started to appear in other settings as the character grew,” Shimizu told the BBC in June. “Sanrio put a lot of effort into building the brand into what it is today.”
At some point, Sanrio designated Kitty’s birthday as Nov. 1, the same as Shimizu’s. Her background was embellished with hobbies that included playing piano, reading and baking. Her TV appearances required co-stars, including a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty that made its debut 20 years ago.
But Hello Kitty’s 40th birthday brought an update that astonished fans. Sanrio clarified to a Los Angeles museum curator that Kitty, despite her feline features, was a little girl. A company spokesperson repeated the distinction this year, renewing debate online about the requirements for being considered human.
“She is supposed to be Kitty White and English. But this is part of the enigma: Who is Hello Kitty? We can’t figure it out. We don’t even know if she is a cat,” art historian Joyce S. Cheng, a University of Oregon associate professor, said. “There is an unresolved indeterminacy about her that is so amazing.”
Tourists from Britain pose with Hello Kitty decoration at the Tokyo National Museum where the exhibition “As I change, so does she” is held, marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Part of the confusion stems from a misunderstanding of “kawaii,” which is Japanese for “cute” but also connotes a lovable or adorable essence. Sanrio recruited Shimizu and other illustrators to create “kawaii” characters at a time when cute, girlish styles were popular in Japan. But the word is used often in Japanese society, and not only to describe babies and puppies.
An elderly man, something as innocuous as an umbrella, a subcompact car or a kitchen utensil, or even a horror movie monster can get labeled “kawaii.” By Western standards, the idea may seem embarrassingly frivolous. But it’s taken seriously in Japan, where the concept is linked with the most honorable instincts.
The complexity of “kawaii” may help explain Hello Kitty’s enduring appeal across generations and cultures, why Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne released a song titled “Hello Kitty” a decade ago, and why Britain’s King Charles wished Hello Kitty a happy 50th birthday when he hosted Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Buckingham Palace in June.
Although Hello Kitty may seem to embody the self-sacrificing woman stereotype, it’s revealing that three women have served as the character’s chief designers at Sanrio. Yuko Yamaguchi, who has held the role since 1980, is credited with keeping the character both modern and timeless, giving Kitty black outfits or false eyelashes as trends dictated but never removing the bow from her left ear.
Hello Kitty waves as she appears to attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
“Hello Kitty, this cultural object, has something to tell us about the history of women in East Asia, and how East Asian women modernized themselves and became professional citizens in a modern society,” the University of Oregon’s Cheng said.
Sanrio has come up with hundreds of creatures, all adorable and cuddly, but none with the lasting power of Hello Kitty. Forget the understated wabi-sabi aesthetic historically associated with Japan. A chameleon-like cat-girl who reflects unabashed kitsch is the cultural ambassador of a consumer-crazed, happy-go-lucky nation.
“It’s the anti-wabi sabi, wanting to be as flashy and as bling-bling as possible, like Lady Gaga. In your face, but that’s actually part of the genius, too. It’s powerful,” Cheng said.
Leslie Bow, a professor of English and Asian American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said that while many Asian and Asian American women see Hello Kitty as a symbol of defiance, the protective, caretaking instinct aroused by “kawaii” isn’t without power.
“We take care of our siblings, our babies, our pets, because we are in control. We control their actions. And so that is also the dark side of cute,” Bow said.
Sanrio has taken advantage of the character’s adaptability by allowing relatively unrestricted use of her image in return for a licensing fee.
A food vendor’s van is decorated with Hello Kitty images outside the National Museum during the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
A visitor wears boots featuring Hello Kitty at the National Museum during the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Visitors react to gigantic Hello Kitty slippers at the exhibition “As I change, so does she,” marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Just about anything goes for the wee whiskered one, from a growing global empire of Sanrio-sanctioned Hello Kitty cafes to an “augmented reality” cellphone app that shows Kitty dancing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London’s Big Ben and other tourist landmarks.
On the unsanctioned side, Hello Kitty even has shown up on guns and vibrators.
During a presentation earlier this year in Seoul, Hello Kitty designer Yamaguchi said one of her unfulfilled goals was finding a way “to develop a Hello Kitty for men to fall in love with as well.” But she’s still working on it.
“I am certain the day will come when men are no longer embarrassed to carry around Hello Kitty,” entertainment news site Content Asia quoted Yamaguchi as saying.
___
Leff reported from London. Berenice Bautista in Mexico City contributed reporting.
As long as the seven members of the PAW Patrol save Adventure Bay from disaster, kids will love the animated series of the same name. Children can enjoy their favorite rescue crew of pups when they’re on the go with the latest PAW Patrol kids’ Crocs. Here’s the scoop!
Before the current PAW Patrol Crocs
(Crocs)
There have been a few different styles of PAW Patrol kids’ Crocs over the last couple of years. These include a variety of large character portraits of the six pups in our crew: Chase, Rocky, Rubble, Skye, Marshall, and Zuma. The former gray and pink toddler Croc styles are still popular but can only be found secondhand or from vendors who bought inventory when Crocs still carried these versions. Good reviews abound on Amazon, where users say that kids love the Crocs and they are true to size. But Crocs wasn’t satisfied with the design, so they recently released a brand new PAW Patrol style!
The latest PAW Patrol Crocs
(Crocs)
The latest PAW Patrol Off-Court Clogs by Crocs are a step above the old design. They come in one dashing style that features the entire PAW Patrol crew and their pup emblems. The repeat pattern has all six of the pups leaping around ready for action, between paw prints that look like polka dots. No, they don’t have different colors besides these brand new, bright blue kids’ Crocs with a white sole. But that’s just fine, because the sole is a special border with raised pictures of each crew member beside their pup emblem, the one that matches their vehicle and collar tag. No kid will be disappointed with these PAW Patrol Crocs because every member of the patrol is included. Their favorite pup is sure to be here.
Where can I buy PAW Patrol Crocs?
(Crocs)
Now that you know your little one would be delighted to stomp around in these new PAW Patrol Off-Court Clogs and add Jibbitz to their hearts’ content, where can you find them? Older styles are usually available on Amazon, but it can be a gamble. There are many stores that carry the latest style with the unisex bright blue and the raised character illustrated sole, with guaranteed stock available. Here’s a list of just a few:
And of course, the all-important question: How much is it going to cost to get a pair of these exclusive new PAW Patrol Off-Court Clogs for kids? Most stores are pricing this pair of Crocs at $50, though some shave a few pennies off and have them available for $49.95. Not cheap, but not bad in this economy to make your little one’s eyes shine with pride when they want to wear the faces of their favorite rescue pup crew all day, every day.
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Now you can eat your Big Mac and wear it too thanks to McDonald’s new collaboration with Crocs.
The limited-edition line features a selection of three Crocs inspired by McDonald’s iconic characters Grimace, Birdie, and Hamburglar, in addition to a classic-style Croc in the fast-food company’s signature red and yellow colors.
Each pair of Crocs includes custom Jibbitz charms and retails for between $70 – $75 a pair, plus matching socks are available for purchase for $20, according to a press release. Customers can snag the clogs beginning on November 14 at Crocs retail locations, Crocs.com, and select wholesale partners while supplies last.
In honor of McDonald’s first-ever global shoe collaboration, the company plans to make an undisclosed donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities to help sick children and give families access to medical care.
Last month McDonald’s reported a 14% revenue boost in its third quarter, according to CNBC. Following strategic price increases, McDonald’s generated $6.69 billion in revenue.
Each Tuesday, T-Mobile releases a number of freebies and deals for their customers. This week they are as follows:
Burger King: Free Whopper or Impossible Whopper with $3 purchase
Crocs: 30% off and free shipping
FreePrints Gifts: Free personalized mug
Dave and Buster’s: $20 of gameplay for $12
The Fine Print
Begins at 5 am ET on 11/7/23; Claim by 11/8/2023 at 4:59 am ET
Our Verdict
Feel free to give away or trade your freebies/discounts in the comments below. Please do not ask for freebies, if somebody has something to give away they will offer it. Remember, every week you get 15 cents off at Shell and free Crazy Combo at Little Caesar’s with pizza purchase.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Go big or go home, right?
It’s not wrong. When our team first caught wind of the news — and saw photos — we were certainly taken aback. With metallic embroidery, croc-skin texture, and the brand’s signature vent holes and uniquely shaped footbed, the Crocs are quite the sight. The rubber, mid-calf boots also come with a removable spur on the back strap, as well as gold star and cowboy Jibbitz charms. Though the brand has debuted a plethora of funky styles over the years, like bejeweled platforms, heeled mules, and Shrek-inspired clogs, it never ceases to surprise us.
Despite some of its bizarre yet buzzy launches, I’ve often heard people rave about how comfortable Crocs are. I’ve also seen fashion girlies style — and look very cute in — these rubbery clogs. Of course, I’ve never owned a pair before, so it just felt right to choose the Classic Cowboy Boot as my first. Go big or go home, right?
I’ve seen how cool street style stars and celebrities have worn Crocs, but the half-clog, half-cowboy-boot hybrid presented a challenge. Upon unboxing, I was admittedly overwhelmed by the thought of styling these bad boys. But once I threw on some basics and played around with different styling cues, they started growing on me. In fact, I actually found cowboy Crocs to be pretty chic once built into an outfit. That said, I did opt out of adding the Jibbitz charms because they were a little too flashy for my taste, not to mention difficult to attach and remove.
Needless to say, I kept the styling minimal and true to my personal fashion because I knew the boots would do the talking. You’ll see they took the lead against more casual basics like my everyday straight-leg jeans, effortless Bermuda shorts, and a structured blazer. Ahead, see how I wore the much-talked-about shoe, and snag your own pair before they sell out completely.
Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) is the Colorado headquartered foam clog maker. We all know them to see and probably have a pair lying around the house, and if you’re a long-term investor in their shares, then you know you’ve been on a rollercoaster. A 75% sell-off after 2021’s massive rally was well on its way to being undone when things took yet another turn earlier this year.
Slowing growth and weak guidance from management conspired to pull shares down all through the summer, in a 45% drop that was still going into last week. But with its Q3 earnings report due in two weeks, the risk/reward opportunity on offer here has become arguably too good to miss, and there’s a growing consensus that we could be looking at the bargain of the year.
Bullish Upgrades
The bull camp has been calling for a reversal in the selling since the end of July when the team at Stifel upgraded their rating on Crocs to a Buy. This came in the wake of another lukewarm earnings report, following the one from April that started the current downtrend.
Croc’s shares have fallen a further 20% since then, despite the Stifel team highlighting the strong longer-term outlook that remains in place, with a particular focus on the company’s foothold in Asia, which is growing faster than all expectations. For context, their Chinese revenue numbers were double the company’s own estimates.
Then, in September, the Wedbush team came out with an upgrade, moving Crocs to an Outperform rating while calling shares “cheap.” They pointed fingers at the company’s HEYDUDE acquisition from 2021 and the brand’s subsequent underperformance as the primary headwind in the group’s overall results. Since HEYDUDE makes up less than 25% of overall revenue, they felt the ongoing selling was unwarranted and overdone.
Crocs shares went on to dip even further after these remarks, albeit little enough in the broader context, and have since seemed to have found a bottom. They’ve traded pretty much sideways for the last four weeks and are starting to move up out of this consolidation. In advance of the company’s upcoming Q3 earnings report, it’s starting to look like Wall Street is finally cottoning on to just how cheap Crocs shares have gotten.
Cheap By Comparison
They closed on Friday with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 8. Compare this, for example, to that of Foot Locker Inc (NYSE: FL), which has a P/E ratio of 14, or Nike Inc (NYSE: NKE), with their P/E of 30, and you get a sense of just how cheap Crocs shares are right now against the company’s actual fundamental performance.
It was with this in mind that the latest voice joined the bull camp on Friday of last week. The team at Raymond James upgraded Crocs to a full Outperform rating, with a particular emphasis on how cheap shares were when their current single-digit P/E ratio was compared against their longer-term average of 16.
They feel all the challenges around the company’s HEYDUDE line are well known and already baked into the share price and that when this is isolated from the company’s recent results, things are actually going quite well for Crocs. They still have strong operating margins, decent free cash flow, and a brand with an enviable competitive moat.
Getting Involved
Their price target of $110 points to an upside of at least 30% from current levels, and this feels quite achievable in the near term, especially with the technical setup beginning to line up in their favor as well. If last week’s low of $83 can be defended from any final attempts by the bears to take shares down again, then the road to the north should be opened.
The stock’s Relative Strength Index is already moving up from being below 30, indicating shares were in an extremely oversold condition. And with nearly 10% of the float currently being held short, it wouldn’t take a lot to spark some aggressive flows onto the bid.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Cue the swinging saloon doors, ’cause there’s a new sheriff shoe in town. Crocs is soon releasing a cowboy boot version of its famous holey clogs, complete with spurs, embroidery, and a gold star Jibbitz charm. Although the footwear mashup may seem out of left field for the non-Croc-acquainted, it’s actually “one of the most widely requested Crocs shoe designs in brand history,” according to a press release. No receipts were shared proving these apparent requests — Were they repeatedly submitted via an online form? Did someone start a change.org petition pleading for their creation? — but alas, we’ll take the brand’s word for it and relish in the absurdity.
The Croc-ified cowboy boots have all the markings of regular cowboy boots. They extend up to mid-calf, have a texture reminiscent of crocodile skin, are covered in western-style stitching, and even come with a removable metallic spur on the back strap, should your horse need to giddyup. Seeing as these are still Crocs we’re talking about here, there’s a smattering of holes across the front for all your ventilation and charm-customization needs.
Upon first catching wind of the Crocs cowboy boots, our first reaction was: “What in tarnation has fashion come to?!” But upon further inspection, there are actually quite a few instances where this type of boot-clog hybrid would be useful. Heading to a rainy outdoor country music concert or sweaty football game tailgate? Crocs cowboy boots have you covered, partner. Attending a pool party that’s also inexplicably offering horseback riding? Don’t forget your Crocs cowboy boots. Running out for groceries but need something to strike up conversation with that cute cashier? Crocs cowboy boots should do the trick.
Crocs has been churning out unexpected designs for years, from the bejeweled platform Crocs that graced the Simone Rocha runway to those high-heeled Balenciaga Crocs that nearly broke the internet two years ago. If you can’t possibly resist the quirky charm of the brand’s new cowboy boots, you can score your own pair starting Oct. 23 for a limited time. The shoes somehow already have rave reviews on the Crocs website, which sums up the hype that’s sure to come once they finally drop. Join the waitlist below to be notified as soon as they’re available.
On Sept. 17, Simone Rocha’s spring 2014 runway show debuted a collection of suspiciously familiar footwear bedazzled beyond all recognition: Crocs. The modest shoes — known primarily for their comfort and utter convenience — got a complete face-lift in honor of London Fashion Week, and we now need every single pair.
While still maintaining the integrity of the traditional Crocs, the new collaboration added black and white crystallized rims, delicate flower embellishments, and massive pearl beads for extra glamour. Rocha (literally) took the shoes to the next level with chunky platform soles and translucent resin material, essentially sending models down the runway in designer flatform Crocs. The typically casual, comfortable walking shoes accompanied dreamy sheer slips dotted with bows and decorated with ribbon, borderline bridal dresses, and a bright red satin set, speaking to one of the most prominent color trends on this season’s runways. Designer Rocha even stepped out to take her bow in a pair herself, styling her Crocs with a matching black button-down dress.
The flashy Crocs were impossible to miss, but they are already accustomed to the spotlight. Previously, the brand made headlines with Balenciaga’s polarizing heels, showing up again on the New York Fashion Week runway for Christian Cowan’s spring 2022 fashion show. They made yet another appearance at London Fashion Week in 2022 for Susan Fang’s debut show, complete with custom jibbitz and matte colorways.
At their core, Crocs are reliable and functional, staying true to their roots at all costs. It’s perhaps this same unyielding authenticity that garnered the attention of so many fashion houses, including trendy brands like MSCHF and Benefit Cosmetics. “I’m not surprised that Crocs have been picked up by the fashion industry,” Lucy Thornley, Crocs’s VP of global trends, design, and product, told Vogue back in June 2022. “There’s something about our product — the shape and the form — that really lends itself to fashion. And it’s only going to continue.”
Read on to see Crocs’s sparkliest runway sighting yet.
Leave it to Sheryl Lee Ralph to make a divisive footwear trend look surprisingly fashionable. On Aug. 22, the “Abbott Elementary” star stepped out in rainbow tie-dye platform Crocs for a talk show appearance in Philadelphia, and her outfit was like a master class for styling the quirky shoes. Ralph paired a bright green v-neck blouse with matching flowy pants that allowed the thick soles of her colorful Crocs to peek out from underneath. She finished the look with a blue beaded statement necklace, simple diamond earrings, and glittery eye shadow. The Emmy winner proudly modeled her Crocs while heading into the Fox 29 studio, where she discussed her memoir, “Diva 2.0 12 Life Lesson From Me For You!”
Ralph is never one to shy away from bold colors, whether she’s sitting down for an interview or walking the red carpet. Just a few weeks after wearing a fiery red puff-sleeve jumpsuit to perform at the Super Bowl in February, the actor exuded African glamour in an orange beaded kente gown at the NAACP Image Awards, where the “Abbott Elementary” cast scooped up several accolades. She’s also quite fond of sparkle, wearing a gold off-the-shoulder Jovana Louis gown to the Critics’ Choice Awards and purple sequin Aliétte dress to the Golden Globes. Ralph’s daughter, Ivy-Victoria Maurice, doubles as her stylist, and she definitely knows how to make her mom look chic, no matter the occasion.
Ralph isn’t the first celebrity to dabble with Crocs despite their controversial nature. Everyone from Ariana Grande and Kendall Jenner to Priyanka Chopra and Nicki Minaj have been spotted in the rubbery sling-back shoes in recent years. A growing number of stars have also collaborated with the footwear brand on wild collections, including Post Malone, SZA, Justin Bieber, and Bad Bunny. It’s clear Crocs still have the fashion world in a chokehold, for better or worse. Read ahead to see Ralph’s stylish take on the holey clogs that just won’t quit.
We are in the middle of a shoe renaissance. People care immensely what is on your feet – but mores that you put effort into choosing a trendy shoe as opposed to the brand itself. There was once a time when you would be the punchline of a joke if you wore New Balances or Crocs out…but this is 2023, anything is possible.
After climbing their way back to the top of the rubber shoe pyramid, Crocs has had the strongest rebrand of any shoe I’ve seen. No longer do you see the Jibbitz-ladened shoe and think ew or associate them with the nurse who helped take your tonsils out...No, Crocs are now the shoe of the summer alongside the once-labeled “prehistoric Birkenstock”. It’s 2010 all over again.
With a fire Barbie collab featuring a pink chunky heeled Croc, we’ve learned that any shoe is admissible in this day and age. It’s not about how ugly it is, if you can argue that it’s peak fashion. But that was just the beginning of relevant collaborations pertaining to Crocs this summer.
Starting with their collaboration with fashion house, MCM, Crocs debuted the Mega Crush Croc alongside photos of our favorite Y2K movie star- Lindsay Lohan. The black and gold platform Croc is chunky, emblazoned with gold from the siding to the Jibbitz themselves. And suddenly everyone forgot that Crocs were ever once mocked.
It’s far from the only news-worthy collab from Crocs this summer, as they just announced their version of controversy-seeking MSCHF’s Big Red Boots: The Big Yellow Boot.
Big Yellow Boot Crocs x MSCHF collab
MSCHF
Dropping on August 9, the shoe will retail for $450 and looks like a mixture of Spongebob and your favorite piece of cheese. However, there is no doubt that high fashion icons will be sporting the boot, as it was debuted at Paris Fashion Week. They even had the Paris Hilton model them, which can only indicate a sold-out line.
MSCHF is once again up to no good. The brand behind those viral Big Red Boots and bizarre backward shoes partnered with Crocs to put a fresh spin on its larger-than-life footwear, Highsnobiety reports. Rapper Tommy Cash attended Rick Owens’s Paris Fashion Week presentation wearing bright boots featuring the same cartoonish silhouette made famous by MSCHF’s original red boots, but with the addition of Crocs’s signature holes. He styled them with black-and-white-striped mime attire and added yellow suspenders and a coordinating umbrella. The final result was a SpongeBob-core look meant for only the most daring trendsetters.
As a streetwear brand and self-described art collective, MSCHF is all about challenging the status quo. Croc boots may not be the first thing that come to mind when we think of art, but they’re certainly subversive enough, already sparking plenty of conversation online. Some people were quick to declare the brand has finally gone too far, but others commented that they actually like the Croc-ified version more.
MSCHF’s Big Red Boots catapulted the brand into the spotlight earlier this year, with celebrities like Ciara, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X taking them for a spin. While some of MSCHF’s products offer commentary on capitalism, culture, and fashion, not all projects are meant to be taken so seriously. “Big Red Boots are REALLY not shaped like feet, but they are EXTREMELY shaped like boots. If you kick someone in these boots they go BOING!” the founders wrote in a press release. A brand rep further clarified to The New York Times, “It’s not a satire. But what’s interesting is that we’re at a moment in time where it doesn’t have to be.”
The new iteration of Big Boots are made of a single piece of rubber and incorporate several of Crocs’s classic clog details, including the strap wrapping around the back. It’s unclear if these were a one-off release or will drop online for the masses, but we’re secretly hoping it’s the latter. Get your first glimpse at what just might be the perfect collab below.
I grew up during Disney Channel’s golden era — you know exactly what I’m talking about. It was the when Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) were at their prime and peak Disney TV starring the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, the Sprouse twins, and more. In hindsight, it was wild. There has never been such a hotbed for stardom since Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera were all on the Mickey Mouse Club.
And, yes, as I continue growing up I miss having these lighthearted shows and movies to watch. Every so often, my roommates and I will binge Disney movies like High School Musical or classics like The Princess Diaries. But lately, there’s been a shift.
Has anyone noticed that we as a society are lacking a little…creativity? I mean, sure, it’s completely normal to crave a little dose of your childhood here and there — who isn’t comforted by memories of your life before you had an overwhelming sense of anxiety. But I almost feel as though we’ve gotten too comfortable with bringing back the old.
Some of the nostalgia-inducing events are exciting. Think: the fervor for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour or The Jonas Brothers’ The Tour, where they play all of their old songs spanning their entire career. It’s exciting and it’s a good way to get fans of old and new in the room.
We’re also in an era of reboots galore. Take a short glance at any of your streaming platforms and you’ll see a lot of familiar titles. Former early 2000s favorites like Zoey 101, iCarly, and That’s So Raven are finding themselves back on our television screens. And if you think that’s all…oh, boy.
Some reboots are reimaginations of the show…like Gossip Girl with a new cast and fresh, young faces. While others are continuations of the show just in the future – think iCarly and Zoey 101 (the reboot being Zoey 102).
And then, there’s Disney.
Disney is constantly trying to get the older generations into theaters, not only with Marvel, but with live action remakes of our favorite films. Over the past decade, we’ve seen versions of Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and most recently, The Little Mermaid. And while I surely will watch out of curiosity and lack of alternatives, I’m always left feeling a little underwhelmed.
Nostalgia-core is literally everywhere. It’s in the way we dress, with Y2K trends consistently leading the pack. People are preferring jelly shoes and mini skirts over any other decades-inspired trend. But when do we border the line between nostalgia and overdoing something?
Maybe it’s because we went through a global pandemic for so many years, we are craving stability and childhood…going back to our roots and finding comfort in what we know after a lot of uncertainty. Watching reboots of your fave show or movie can feel like the adult version of a pacifier.
Or maybe it’s because we have completely lost identity in today’s society…where we can’t thrive on anything but the past. Unoriginal ideas cycling back into the trendscape just because we can’t think of anything new.
Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. If something is getting those viewers in and bringing in the money, why wouldn’t they keep rebooting shows? Why wouldn’t Disney just make live action versions of their entire filmography? That way, they can release one original and make it really amazing in the interim.
One thing I know for sure is that trends recycle all the time. There was a time not so long ago where anything low-rise was considered a fashion crime and you wouldn’t dare wear Crocs out of your house unironically. But in the early 2000s, and subsequently in 2023, you would be considered right on trend.
And while the Disney films will always be successful in some capacity, I don’t know if every show needs a reboot. Some shows ended where they ended, and that’s how it should stay. Honestly, I feel like I’m getting bored too easily, I already know the plotline of everything coming out!
With popular shows like Succession and Ted Lasso in their final episodes forever, we are met with the realization that we will soon run out of original content if we keep rebooting everything. And yes, I get that a reboot is still somehow original if it’s a continuation of the series…you know that’s not my point here.
So, I’m left with the question: when is it time to let the past be….the past?
When you were growing up, did you ever think there would be a time when you’d emulate your dad’s style? Well, it’s 2022 and anything goes now. In fact, The Cut has declared that “everyone is dressing like a dad now.”
Men and women alike have come together to dress as paternal as possible this year. Think mid-length cutoff jean shorts, puffer vests, sweater vests, basketball shorts, polos. Super high waisted wide leg pants that are borderline grandpa-chic are all the rage right now.
The “Adam Sandler” has been popularized: bermuda shorts, oversized polo t-shirt – comfy, shapeless, casual. Socks with sandals and baseball caps. Looking like you just rolled out of bed to take out the trash is in.
Dad fashion has slowly adapted into our everyday look. We’ve even seen the revival of the “Dad Shoe,” with New Balance heavily campaigning the slogan. Not far behind is the return of Asics, Crocs, and other father favorites.
New Balance
You once mocked your dad for his favorite pair of cargo shorts, but the rise of both Dad Style and Y2K fashion have proven cargo pants are hot on the market. It turns out your father and your grandfather’s closet is the trendiest place to shop right now.
Dad fashion is effortless. It’s about wearing an oversized zip-up hoodie and, as any dad would say, “not giving a hoot.” Hike your socks up to mid-calf and the world is your runway.
It can be seen in Emily Ratajkowski’s favorite puffer jacket and Harry Styles’ suspenders. Surely the likes of Bella Hadid can make anything look cool while rocking the more extreme version of Dad Fash, but that doesn’t mean we can’t incorporate a more subtle approach into our everyday style.
Verizon Hosts Red Carpet at Madison Square Garden for Knicks Home Opening Game, New York, USA – 21 Oct 2022
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
There’s nothing more refreshing than not having to actively fight your clothes all night long. Your jeans can’t squeeze you to death if they barely touch your body, and your shirt won’t come apart if it’s an oversized tee. How can your feet be sore if you’re in a pair of sturdy New Balances?
If there’s anything that we must do, it’s keep the paternal influence in our style moving into 2023. Here are some pieces that are reminiscent of off-duty golf dads and little league coaches, but equally stylish.
Nothing says “dad’s night out” quite like the fleece vest. I love wearing this over a sweatshirt in the colder months or with a plain turtleneck. It’s versatile and all genders will love it.
What I love about bermuda shorts is the mitigation of chub rub. They don’t ride up whatsoever, and my inner thighs rejoice at the comfort these shorts bring me.
One of the first things to pop up when you Google “Dad Jeans” are these Levi’s. To achieve the dad look, no part of the denim can cling to your body. Your waistband holds you up and that’s it.
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Lest we forget, Madonna reminded us once again that she is the quintessential Material Girl, and we are still living in a material world.The music icon has been experimenting with her personal style as of late, showing off different looks on her Instagram. Recently, Madonna was spotted wearing the controversial shoe of the moment: the Balenciaga Crocs.
Madonna has been a trendsetter for decades, so we have no doubt this style is about to take off. Whether you’re all in on the Balenciaga x Crocs collab, or prefer to experiment with platforms heights in other recognizable styles, we’re here for it. Browse through other fun platforms below, and when you’re done, don’t forget to strike a pose in honor of the Queen of Pop and her ever-evolving style.
October is a busy month at Roosevelt Field in Garden City, home to some new shopping and dining spots.
This week, the shopping mall has already welcomed retailers Crocs, Breitling and as LIBN previously reported, Warby Parker. And TravisMatthew and Soma are slated to open later this month.
For dining, Naya Middle Eastern Counter and Grill is now serving up fresh Lebanese cuisine (think: shawarmas, falafel, salads and appetizers), with Roosevelt Field being its first shopping mall location.
At Crocs, shoppers will find casual footwear for men, women and children. Breitling features the Swiss manufacturing company’s watches, while Warby Parker offers a variety of eyewear styles.
TravisMatthew, slated to open Oct 25 as its first New York location, offers men’s apparel for work and play. And Soma specializes in lingerie, loungewear and beauty products and will offer free expert bra fittings beginning Oct. 29.