Clogs—Traditional and Deluxe—Are Spring 2021’s Best Footwear Trend

Fashionable comforts.

Writer Truc Nguyen

Like espadrilles and gladiators, clogs are a classic footwear style that never really goes out of fashion. Still, a certain impression was made when Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, the creative director of womenswear at Hèrmes, styled every look on the brand’s spring 2021 runway with a pair of wood-and-leather clogs. Called the Calya mule, this studded design features a beechwood sole and H leather cut-out—and has quickly sold out online in Canada.

It wasn’t only Vanhee-Cybulski advocating for clog-style footwear—both with and without the traditional wooden sole—for spring; styles of varying heights and colours were also spotted in the new collections at Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, Antik Batik, and Pierre Hardy, proving that this is one seasonal trend with potential for broad appeal.

Comfortable and supportive by design but still offering some added height and a sculptural silhouette, clogs are in some ways an ideal shoe for these unusual times. There are no galas or red carpets to attend, and their relaxed, easy-wear aesthetic is well suited for both outdoor excursions and indoor living. Plus, thanks to their sturdy shape and materials, these are not shoes that have to be worn with care.

The top styles for spring, including the Hèrmes Calya mule, all feature a moderate-height sole and closed-toe design, but otherwise the selection is far from monotonous. In fact, there is a clog for every trending look: traditional, luxe designs made with leather and wood work with suiting and jeans alike, whereas clunkier, playful styles in lightweight rubber shine when paired with loungewear and athleisure.

Here, 10 stylish pairs of clogs to step into this season.