The Phenomenal History of Crocs: Once Criticized, Now Beloved

Dream - Fashion trends change quickly over time. From clothes, pants, dresses, to shoes. One of the footwear trends that was once considered the worst trend is Crocs.

Funnily enough, Crocs have now become a fashion trend beloved by many people, especially Gen Z. The reasons vary, ranging from unique and diverse color choices, customizable shape and height, as well as Jibbitz or special charms for Crocs with cute and unique designs.

Crocs were created in 2001 by Scott Seamans, Lyndon "Duke" Hanson, and George Boedecker, Jr. Crocs are an innovation from foam clogs produced by the Canadian brand, Foam Creations. The brand was later acquired by Crocs.

Crocs produced their first model, the Beach, at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida. Crocs were initially designed as boat shoes. This design was inspired by vintage clogs from Denmark. That initial goal is the reason behind the unique design of Crocs.

The design of the sole focuses on grip, waterproof material, and foot protection, which is expected to help sailors when using Crocs. Crocs are made of a patented foam called Croslite. The foam exclusive to Crocs is not made of plastic or rubber, but rather from closed-cell resin.

Crocs then innovated on Croslite, creating LiteRide in 2018. LiteRide material is 25% lighter and 40% softer than Croslite, while still providing shock absorption and support. This material is used to create a sense of safety and comfort when using Crocs on land or at sea.

The holes in Crocs sandals and shoes are one of the distinctive features of the brand. This design serves as ventilation and to release excess moisture to keep users comfortable.

The name Crocs itself also reflects the original purpose of the shoes, which is to be used on land and at sea. Crocs is derived from the word 'Crocodile', which means crocodile. Like an amphibious animal, crocodiles can live on land and in water, aligning with the concept of Crocs footwear. Crocs officially registered the crocodile name and logo as a trademark in more than 40 countries worldwide, including the United States on December 31, 2007.

In 2005, the family-owned company Jibbitz emerged, producing beautiful charms that can be attached to the holes of Crocs. The company was founded by Sheri Schmelzer and her husband Rich. This product emerged because Sheri was inspired to decorate her children's Crocs with fake flowers and charms. The company was later acquired by Crocs.

Crocs continues to develop its products in the global market. In 2007, Crocs had 5,300 employees. In Indonesia, Crocs began its career as spa sandals. Crocs initially received both praise and criticism. The unique design divided public opinion, with some liking it and others hating it.

As time passed, Crocs remained relevant and consistent. Gen Z from various parts of the world have now brought the Crocs trend back to the market. Crocs are now available in more than 90 countries and have sold over 720 million pairs of shoes.

Report: Erdyandra Tri Sandiva