Crocs shoes in the Philippines: the gender debate

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at October 16th, 2006

Today I decided to buy myself an advanced birthday gift (November 3 for those of you who feel generous!). I have been eyeing a pair of Crocs for the past three weeks. With eyeing came the resistance to buy, mainly because of the slightly hefty price tag of about P1,700.00 to P2,900.00.

crocs shoelaces.jpg

I finally bought a pair today after checking out their latest Islander design, a “return to topsiders” look of blue and beige (other two tone colors available). So, what do you think? It’s back to topsiders with a new, modern look.

Now here’s the thing. In the three weeks that I’ve contemplated on getting a pair, I’ve received many reactions from the male and female populance about these footwear. In general, the girls hate them. The guys just love ‘em.

Female arguments against Crocs

  • They are unflattering
  • They are too expensive (okay, and do you hear us say things about your Havaianas??!)
  • They are too big
  • The holes make the shoes look a bit dorky
  • Male arguments for Crocs

  • They are very very comfortable, like your entire foot is being massaged
  • The holes make the shoes look so cool
  • You can wet them and they will still be okay
  • C’mon, we’re actually raving about shoes. Can’t you let us be for once?
  • Here’s my final argument why most men want a pair. Unlike women that can get away with wearing slippers to work, men cannot. Crocs are the closest thing to ultra comfortable footwear without having to look like slippers or sandals. Get it? Okay, everyone happy!

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  • Lia says:

    Girls who say crocs are “unflattering” obviously haven’t seen the Crocs Prima :P

    Wow, Crocs is finally reinventing themselves! :) Those shoes are cute! :)

  • jonnel13 says:

    Wow…we have shoes with little holes now? That’s a first for me. My first impression: Im not a fan. Sorry. But, you know, it’s your feet, so what others say shouldnt bother you much. Wear ia lot so people will get used to it.

  • Marc says:

    >> Crocs are the closest thing to ultra comfortable footwear without having to look like slippers or sandals.

    True. But for me, Birkenstock sandals = comfort. Yun lang nga, they’re sandals.

    If I do get a pair of Crocs, it’ll be Jayvee’s fault :P

  • Juned says:

    The 1700 price tag seems to be a reasonable enough price. :)

  • mitch says:

    the women here are divided on that. in general, tweens/girls like it. women above 30 wear it. i’ve seen some teens ‘contemplate’ on it, but never buy it.

    my friend wears it all the time, and she swears they’re really comfy. i was thinking of getting a pair, too (they look nice for summer, i guess) but it’s getting cold here — i need boots! :P

    syanga pla, advance happy bday!

  • noemi says:

    when I first saw the photo, I liked it. Don’t mind what others say. As long as you are comfortable with your shoes, our opinions don’t matter. The price is reasonable for such quality shoes. That’s about the cost of sneakers as well.

  • Dave Starr says:

    I’, a recent Crocs convert. My wife … the Unofficial Cook … has had a pair for months and loves them but at first I thought they were just too funny looking. I also didn’t see how anything so floppy could be comfortable.

    Well I went for a beige pair of the open moccasin style (not at all interested in the type with a lace-up top, seems to destroy the whole rationale of the show … and wow! Except for the fact they are often to cool for Colorado I can’t believe I have waited so long. I’ll cure the temperature problem when we make our move to the Philippines end of the month and I intend to go back and get a spare pair to take with also … for when I wear this first pair out.

    men … and women … get with the program, they are everything they are claimed to be, and a bit more.

  • Jayvee says:

    you know, after one day wearing this, i just MIGHT get myself a second pair.. the black one that look like leather shoes. :)

    but not now, maybe for christmas ;)

  • chris says:

    errr… shoes? i get whatever i see in the shoe rack. mine? my brother’s? my dad’s? as long as it fits. for me tsinelas is the way to go. they are cheap and the most comfortable.

  • markku says:

    Now I’m all curious because of this entry… we have to go shopping soon, you’ll be our “shopping guru”… hehehe

  • jun says:

    Sadly, that cannot pass for office attire where I work.

  • GAiL says:

    eyy! sama me sa shopping!!! libre ba pa-shopping markku? hehehe.

    cute shoes! :D nakakaaliw. you have a shoe and strainer in one! wehehehe seriously though, it’s cute. you better not show that to marc, or he’ll probably want to buy one for himself!!!!

  • richelle says:

    hahaha i prefer the ballet flats or the closed clogs. (not such a big fan of all the holes)

    best thing about crocs is that they come in such cute colors :D and they’re super comfy.

    id rather shell out 1000+ php on a pair od crocs than a pair of sparkly havianas.

  • Gloria says:

    great pair JV, i luv it. he he.;-)

  • mike says:

    didn’t know it reached the shores of pinas by now, but when i was in singapore last august, my tita said it was going to be the next big thing (both in pinas and singapore, or even anywhere else) in the world of footware.

    at one point i also thought, boy, they look dorky! haha but after that i got one pair.

    but YES, it’s über-comfy! and now after seeing the design you posted, i’m regaining the hope to, yes, get the closest to wearing slippers to work (when i return to pinas, at least).

    thanks for the post! it enlightened me. and kept me glued to what’s on in pinas. :)

    ciao!

  • mike says:

    sorry, i meant footwear. damn german keybords. hahaha

  • mike says:

    keyboards!!!!!

  • pammy says:

    i have a pair of beach crocs in purple :) and they are unbelievably comfy..

    but i also like athens (their flip flops) and the prima (their version of ballet flats) in gold and silver..

    for guys, my favorite is the black professional :) they almost look like real shoes :D

  • Jayvee says:

    im thinking of the black ones for my SECOND pair :) they look like shoes, exactly!

  • Andrew says:

    Hmm. Not for me. I’m more of a sneakers guy. Try the Jack Purcell Converse sneakers. Nice looking and very comfortable (cheaper too) if that’s your thing. For P1,700-2,900, that’s actually already reasonable compared to other brands, and to the amount girls spend on numerous pairs of shoes.

  • Xtina says:

    I love Crocs for women too..! :) They look great with Capris but im thinking twice on trading them with my high heels, they look better on men.

  • AnP says:

    I have been seeing those around here. Cute for kids. But for grown men… sorry to say pero, ang pangit! haha

  • Marge says:

    where are crocs selling here in Manila?

  • rick says:

    ooh, i should get myself a pair!

  • Jayvee says:

    Crocs are available in:

    1. True Value
    2. Planet Sports
    3. Rustans (most complete)
    4. Nothing But Water

    so far these are the stores I have seen them in.

  • Marge says:

    Thanks!

  • [...] And lastly, if you look closer (click!), he wears Crocs! [...]

  • Luis K says:

    The Graphika Manila presscon with Joshua Davis marks the first time I ever saw shoes like these. My first thought: they look interesting, and comfortable. My second thought: they just might pass my office attire requirements (we’re not allowed to wear slippers or sandals, but any type of closed shoes are theoretically fine).

    Then my artist friend who was accompanying me to Graphika Manila — and yes, she’s female — whispered to me, “I find his shoes disturbing.”

  • benj says:

    Crocs convert here as well! I hated them when I saw them first on TV, but boy, did my mind change when I got a pair as a gift from the girlfriend! hehe

    She hates ‘em, but she decided to give me a pair. Puzzling… Anyway, I got 3 pairs of Aspens now.

  • dez says:

    ack! you have croc’d yourself!???
    i am sooo sorry but i truly believe they should’ve kept the sizes to size 5 max, banned to grownups.

    ika nga ni Manolo in his gallery of horrors

  • Minic says:

    I love my Crocs. My son loves his Crocs. My daughter loves her Crocs… http://one.revver.com/watch/91126

    I even wear my Crocs to work during summer.

  • Jayvee says:

    i now have 3 pairs total :)

  • benj says:

    three?! I only have two, but yeah, it does get a bit addicting. I want to buy one or two more pairs. How’s the Islander working out? Do you wear it with socks? I think it would look weird with or without ‘em. hehe

    I have two Aspens as of now.

  • Miguel says:

    Since I work in a “semi corpy” shop, I need to find out if these are allowed. I don’t have Jayvee’s officeless freedom… hehe

  • mr nice ash says:

    i’ve been looking for a pair as well. but really can’t decide which one to buy. the last pair i bought was a leather swatch topsider-like with pink stitches years back. i’m still using it. where did you get your pair?

  • Jenn says:

    Sorry girls, but I love my Crocs :D

  • benj says:

    I just checked two branches and I cant find the Islander and Aspen models! Dammit. They do phase them out quickly.

  • Do you wear socks with them crocs?

  • sharm says:

    i go crazy over crocs. i’m going to buy another pair soon (probably the mary janes or athens).Ü

  • chie says:

    I think they’re fugly as hell! An abomination! Ick. :D

  • Conde says:

    There’s nothing like Havaianas
    Much more confortable and its
    much cheaper

  • Conde says:

    pricing Crocs as a Hi-end product its the
    most stupid think ,it is gold sandals?
    Of course not,just EVA sandals
    So,why pay this exorbitant price?

  • [...] talked about the gender debate on Crocs a while back, and now I’m bringing up the topic again. This time though, the question [...]

  • bnpositive says:

    I just don’t understand. I don’t like the way they look at all.

  • [...] I know who owns a pair are as follows: Rico Mossesgeld Jayvee Fernandez Sharm Miguel Marc Macalua (I’ll probably update this list, so, if I know you and you own a [...]

  • I bought one of those Merrell aqua sneaks with mesh but they’re not as comfortable as the regular Merrells.

    I should get one of these Crocs!

    Cheers!

    eric

  • amore says:

    crocs kse parang bota.. (boots) ang laki.. mukhang bulky.. hihihi

    pero kanya kanyang style.. if ur comfortable then go for it ;)

  • Ronnie says:

    I was adamant to buy it at first, but since thee rainy season is on, I got one for me and my son. I would rather spend Php2350 than soak my leather shoes on muddy rainwater.

    After wearing and it going around the neighborhood, I knew I made the right decision. The shoes are very comfortable!

  • Skye says:

    It’s expensive for what it really is: ugly plastic. lol I’d rather buy a pair of sneakers at that price. I don’t like it, but I don’t criticize others for wanting it. I enjoy Birkis although they look like utter crap. lol My dad owns one, heck, my whole family has one, all except me. haha

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