Crocs shoes in the Philippines: the gender debate

October 16, 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.

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!

Comments

88 responses to “Crocs shoes in the Philippines: the gender debate”

October 16, 2006

Lia

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

Wow, Crocs is finally reinventing themselves! 🙂 Those shoes are cute! 🙂
October 16, 2006

jonnel13

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.
October 16, 2006

Marc

>> 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 😛
October 16, 2006

Juned

The 1700 price tag seems to be a reasonable enough price. 🙂
October 16, 2006

mitch

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! 😛

syanga pla, advance happy bday!
October 16, 2006

noemi

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.
October 16, 2006

Dave Starr

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.
October 16, 2006

Jayvee

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 😉
October 16, 2006

chris

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.
October 16, 2006

markku

Now I’m all curious because of this entry… we have to go shopping soon, you’ll be our “shopping guru”… hehehe
October 16, 2006

jun

Sadly, that cannot pass for office attire where I work.
October 16, 2006

GAiL

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

cute shoes! 😀 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!!!!
October 16, 2006

richelle

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 😀 and they’re super comfy.

id rather shell out 1000+ php on a pair od crocs than a pair of sparkly havianas.
October 18, 2006

Gloria

great pair JV, i luv it. he he.;-)
October 18, 2006

mike

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 Ã¼ber-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!
October 18, 2006

mike

sorry, i meant footwear. damn german keybords. hahaha
October 18, 2006

mike

keyboards!!!!!
October 19, 2006

pammy

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 😀
October 19, 2006

Jayvee

im thinking of the black ones for my SECOND pair 🙂 they look like shoes, exactly!
October 19, 2006

Andrew

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.
October 21, 2006

Xtina

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.
October 21, 2006

AnP

I have been seeing those around here. Cute for kids. But for grown men… sorry to say pero, ang pangit! haha
October 21, 2006

Marge

where are crocs selling here in Manila?
October 21, 2006

rick

ooh, i should get myself a pair!
October 21, 2006

Jayvee

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.
October 21, 2006

Marge

Thanks!
December 3, 2006

A Bugged Life » Blog Archive » Joshua Davis in Graphika Manila

[…] And lastly, if you look closer (click!), he wears Crocs! […]
December 4, 2006

Luis K

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.”
February 12, 2007

benj

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.
February 12, 2007

dez

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…
February 13, 2007

Minic

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.
February 13, 2007

Jayvee

i now have 3 pairs total 🙂
February 14, 2007

benj

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.
February 18, 2007

Miguel

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
February 22, 2007

mr nice ash

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?
February 22, 2007

Jenn

Sorry girls, but I love my Crocs 😀
February 25, 2007

benj

I just checked two branches and I cant find the Islander and Aspen models! Dammit. They do phase them out quickly.
March 4, 2007

BARNEY(not the makeup artist)

Do you wear socks with them crocs?
March 5, 2007

sharm

i go crazy over crocs. i’m going to buy another pair soon (probably the mary janes or athens).Ãœ
March 27, 2007

chie

I think they’re fugly as hell! An abomination! Ick. 😀
March 30, 2007

Conde

There’s nothing like Havaianas
Much more confortable and its
much cheaper
March 30, 2007

Conde

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?
April 20, 2007

Are Crocs dangerous? | drivebyshooter.net

[…] talked about the gender debate on Crocs a while back, and now I’m bringing up the topic again. This time though, the question […]
May 14, 2007

bnpositive

I just don’t understand. I don’t like the way they look at all.
May 29, 2007

Style Manila » Blog Archive » The Tale of the Crocs Capri Sandals

[…] 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 […]
June 21, 2007

eric aka senor enrique

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
June 26, 2007

Angel

LOL! Agree.
June 30, 2007

amore

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

pero kanya kanyang style.. if ur comfortable then go for it 😉
July 15, 2007

Ronnie

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!
July 23, 2007

Skye

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
July 31, 2007

Jayvee

im liking the newer designs of crocs. honestly, i kinda stopped wearing the “shoes” and went for the slippers instead.
July 31, 2007

A Bugged Life [ the pseudo personal blog about blogging, technology and stuff ] » Blog Archive » Crocs, Revisited.

[…] as “the pseudo personal blog about blogging, technology and stuff” it seems that the most popular post has to do with my fashion sense. Let’s revisit Crocs. Eek! Months ago, I wrote about how […]
August 21, 2007

Kai

hahaha! you’re damn right about that! i love crocs!
August 24, 2007

Aiza

Sorry to burst your bubble guys, but these shoes caused a few accidents to kids. Try searching these in google: ‘crocs, accidents, children’.
August 29, 2007

Cez

For those accidents, I think the parents are to be blamed. We cannot blame Crocs just because the children stuck their feet at the escalators. Parents should see to it that their children are well taken care of. I have a pair of Mary Jane and I love it. Ultimate comfort for my feet.
September 1, 2007

Kyrby

Crocs are perfect! Everything you want in a footwear is in a pair of Crocs, they’re expensive and ugly!…
September 1, 2007

lilacstardust

I haven’t seen all the other styles of Crocs but talking about the traditional/classic Crocs, I really think it looks funny on adults. It reminds me of Ronald McDonald’s dorky big red shoes 😉 Kids can get away with looking cute in Crocs though 🙂

The cross between topsiders and classic Crocs is too baffling a sight for me hehe. But I guess you guys are mainly raving about how amazingly comfortable the Crocs are. Well, whatever floats your boat 🙂 After all, I’m sure you guys are baffled just the same as to why women torture themselves with wearing pointy high-heeled shoes 😉
September 8, 2007

Carol

there is really something queer about the way they look. and it does look dorky.

but people also that they are good for your feet. i considered buying a pair of crocs (prima) before.. but found it quite hard to look for an outfit that will actually look good with it.

my boyfriend has a green one though. and he adores his crocs.
September 11, 2007

ninochka

i was semi-attracted to Crocs at first and decided to try on a pair of knock offs in white at OTTO shoes since they were only selling it for php150. why the heck not, eh? I never wore anythin else out of the house other than them thangs! They were so comfy and i couldnt care if i waded them thru flood water! Just made sure the straps slings were on so i dont slip and slide and lose em coz they do float!!! hehehe… I wore the same pair on a recent trip to Kuala LUmpur and it just made all that walking a joy…( not to mention the hottie US sailor i was walking hand in hand with haha!) He asked if my Crocs were genuine ones or knock offs! PROUDLY announced they were the best knocks ever!!!
He called them Gators!!!

The white pair i got just matches with every piece of clothing i have! I THINK GUYS LOOK SEXY IN THEM THANGS!

My birthday is comin up in a few days and i wanna get me an original pair in white and another nice neutral color! THEY ROCK!

Im a sneakers kinda gal…and i dont have sexy feet to parade in havaianna flip flops…Crocs just gave new life to my bare feet! yey!
October 7, 2007

Agnes

My husband and I love Crocs, we both have 2 pairs and yes I have to agree you cannot wear your crocs to work, kahit itago mo pa siya sa pants, my hubby also wants to wear it eh.
October 26, 2007

just dropping by

The reason why Crocs are popular is because celebrities USED to wear tehm, just like with Havaianas. That and the price range elevated it to “the comfiest and hassle-free shoes ever”. Designwise, it sucks. Ergonomically, it’s average. In terms of user-friendly, it’s normal. Anybody who praises Crocs like it’s the best casual shoes HAVE NOT experienced Brazil-made, user- and office-friendly loafers, flats, heels, mules, etc. Promise, there are better worlds than Crocs. Btw, Havaianas is China in quality. The prints on Banana Peel flip-slops(China-made), come to think of it, are more wear-resistant than Havaianas.
January 12, 2008

Ryan

Thank god some people have seen the light. Those things are terribly ugly. I mean seriously, ugly. It’s a fad that NEEDS to die. no, please don’t argue. It’s a fad. They’re ugly as sina nd some schmuck celeb wore them and people were like oooh, hot shit.

And it’s not even a gender debate. I love shoes, especially sneakers! I feel like a girl because I can’t stop buying them, so it has nothing to do with that.

Crocs are fugly, straight up. And at the price they’re selling? Seriously, go take a girl out to a nice restaurant. That’ll get you a lot farther than these ugly things.
January 25, 2008

nick

what is wrong with you. your claims are fucked up. of dumb fuck men like you want crocs not me!!! you are the bane of the human race. i wish u a slow an painful death.
March 28, 2008

harsha

it really looks unflattering for me
May 6, 2008

dan bryan

i need shoes for my birtday
May 26, 2008

mara.

just to try a new one, that’s my reason for buying crocs. it’s so comfy. u don’t have to argue about how it looks. maybe that guy hasn’t tried one>:)
June 6, 2008

cuneyt

Sadly, that cannot pass for office attire where I work.
June 8, 2008

Lil

first, my husband’s bday falls on nov 3 as well. 🙂

second, i like (not love) crocs, i can wear them anytime. but i think they’re a bit pricey. I have a pair and i’ve been thinking for months on whether i should buy another.

third, you might want to read this.. a crocs que horror story.
http://daphneosena.livejournal.com/26882.html
June 8, 2008

Lil

and just to add, not everyone (whether a guy or a girl) can pull off wearing crocs. :p
June 21, 2008

karen saito

i like to buy one but sooo expensive…..oh….
June 21, 2008

howe

it really looks unflattering
July 3, 2008

Gelinlik

just to try a new one, thatâ€™s my reason for buying crocs. itâ€™s so comfy. u donâ€™t have to argue about how it looks. maybe that guy hasnâ€™t tried one Thank you 🙂
July 17, 2008

Vandy

I’m really sorry but (10/2) + (-10/2) isn’t always equal to 0. Maybe we just have different tastes, but seriously- they’re friggin ugly dude.
August 6, 2008

david

nice nice shoes 🙂

http://templates4all.blogspot.com
August 23, 2008

sun

This is a great blog!
September 8, 2008

sistan

very nice shoes:)
thank you:)
http://www.inanir.com
September 28, 2008

magzaci

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
November 2, 2008

originalbrandsfb

ORIGINAL CROCS FOR LESS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE
http://originalbrandsfb@multiply.com
November 13, 2008

Emoturk.org

very nice shoes:)
thank you:)

http://www.emoturk.org/
November 21, 2008

Ash

I have been thinking of getting a pair last May 2008. But I postponed it dahil gagastusin ko na lang ang pera sa The North Face for my Kota Kinabalu climb. Months past, nakabalik na ako… until nahulog ako sa hagdanan ng Ateneo de Davao University Library. That time, naisip ko ang Crocs. I should get a pair na. And just last week, bought a Prima. Gosh, they’re soooooooooooooooooooo comfortable.
November 29, 2008

fatih

beatifull thanks
December 15, 2008

Mel

got my self a pair of crocs off roads, they’re so compfortable. It’s like your old old cotton shirt with holes that you can’t just can’t let go of… it’s so “a guy thing” more function than form.
December 17, 2008

audi kiralama

Yes..The 1700 price tag seems to be a reasonable enough price.
April 30, 2009

So will you buy Crocs after they’ve reinvented themselves? | Jayvee Fernandez on Technology and New Media in the Philippines

[…] three years ago I bought my first pair of Crocs. It’s akin to the first time you experience anything in your pubescent life — and then […]
June 19, 2009

etiket

ou know, after one day wearing this, i just MIGHT get myself a second pair.. the black one that look like leather shoes. http://www.sembolbarkod.com
July 22, 2009

serhan mert

i just look like crocodile golf shoes
August 31, 2009

flyingweels

awesome maybe i can take one of them
March 21, 2011

Niko

My husband and I love Crocs, we both have 2 pairs and yes I have to agree you cannot wear your crocs to work, kahit itago mo pa siya sa pants, my hubby also wants to wear it eh.