Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Outfit Post: All Clogged Up

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I used to say, “Never say never” when it comes to fashion, but I’m taking it to the next level and declaring, “Never is the next new thing.” I’m convinced that the styles that are most hated at first — the ones that make people say, “Never!” — are the ones that are most loved once our eyes adjust, with past examples including leggings and various kinds of jeans: skinny, acid-washed, high-waisted, distressed and boyfriend.

The two big “never is the next new thing” looks are double denim, which I’ve already posted about, and clogs. I’ve loved clogs since middle school, especially ones that make loud, echoing, clopping noises in school hallways. I’ve had a pair of Michael Kors clogs that I believe are pre-2005. They might be the most comfortable shoes I have. My absurdly energetic friend Al once took me for a three-hour walk along the Thames in London while I was wearing those clogs … and I didn’t complain.

Kors clogs are in the lower left. This picture is from a post I did on wardrobe basics in 2008.

Still, the Kors clogs don’t have the classic wooden clog heel that clip-clop through my memories. They’re also pretty beat up. Not only have they been on a three-hour stroll in London, but they’ve suffered a broken heel in Stockholm. So I took a Bergdorf Goodman gift card (thank you, Abby and J-Cat!) that I’ve been saving for an important purchase and got myself these daisy-printed Miu Mius.

Photo by gorgeous blogger Tina. Click my giant foot to see her blog.

The clogs’ uppers are fabric, so I had a fleeting worry about whether they were practical. That confirmed it was a good purchase, because in 2008, after putting a pair of black shoes back on the shelf in order to try on beige, patent, peep-toe booties, I decided that gift cards should never be used on something I would have bought anyway. No “I urgently need a new pair of black pumps for work” purchases. Gift cards should be spent on items that would normally be too expensive, or not a good match with my wardrobe, or at risk for water damage on rainy days. WendyB has spoken.

I wore the new clogs to a party for Linda Derector vintage sunglasses at my friend Evan’s store Frock last week. As you can see, I really dressed up for the event. Hey, I warned you last week that my everyday outfits aren’t exciting. Are you sure you want to see this stuff?

On Elizabeth Street. Photo by Tina.

T-shirt: American Apparel
Jeans: Acne Jeans Generic Girl (2008 or 2009)
Shoes: Miu Miu (2010)
Necklace: Wendy Brandes Queen of Scots necklace

That t-shirt might be four years old. I was sick of the style in 2008, but I’m too lazy to find something else.A  I was also wearing a Moschino jacket that I got on eBay last year, but we didn’t take a picture of it because I was preoccupied with my new sunglasses. I had already gone a little crazy with the sunglasses at Frock in March, but Linda brought this pair especially for the party and I fell in love.

You might be able to make out Tina's reflection in the lens.

I’ve always been content to have one pair of sunglasses and wear them for a long time, so the fact that I’ve acquired an entire wardrobe of sunglasses in the past couple of weeks speaks volumes about Linda’s collection. If you’re in New York, you need to get to Frock before I buy it all before it’s all gone. Like I said in my previous post on Frock, a MAY-JAH designer has been buying for inspiration. This is your chance to beat him to next season’s trend.

Getting back to the double-denim trend I mentioned above, gorgeous bloggers Sher and Fashion Theorist are among the latest converts. Ashley added clogs to the mix. If you’ve done double denim, or head-to-toe denim, or whatever you want to call it, holla at me in the comments, so I can mention you in a post. And if you really want to blow my mind, combine two trends at once by getting this pair of denim clogs.

Stuart Weitzman clogs at Neiman Marcus. Click to shop.

UPDATED TO ADD: More bloggers are sending their double-denim links my way:

Anyone else?

You might also like
Never Say Never
Fashion Repeats Itself: Black & White Camo, Backwards Heels
What Wendy Wore: Stacy Lomman Jacket for Travel

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Ok…I’ll say it…

    Those are dope. I’m glad you got them and I am glad that I now have clarification on what gift cards are for.

  3. *Just had the most sweet security word!*

    Love the miu miu clogs! I love the Miu Miu collection so much, the prints are s=jut so good 🙂

  7. I love clogs. Jeans?

    I intentionally did the double denim once, when I was REALLY PISSED at my husband and he had an important function we attended as a couple. I’m normally not petty like that, but you can bet I had on a denim jacket, jeans, SHOES and a little denim headband.

    I have a denim purse I was given. It was not cheap. I remember we used to make denim book covers and backpacks for school out of our old jeans.

    Never (oops) again.

  9. I tend to fall out of clogs and hurt myself so I stuck to the kitty cat mary janes. They are sooo adorable. I love this collection almost as much as (maybe more?) the Fall 2007 one.

    I tried to get the crystal and pink sparrow ones but the US didn’t get them as far as I know and they were all sold out in Europe. I was ticked!

  12. I almost bought those clogs a few weeks ago but my boyfriend was not having it. What do I feel now? Regret. What do I feel about you? Jealous.

  13. Yeah, the Fashion Powers That Be must have gotten together and decided that since everything had been done…they would take out their list of Don’ts and tell everyone to Do.

    What, no mention of one and a half of the biggest former no-nos…socks with sandals/hose with open toe shoes? Yup…one of the HUGEST recent “trends.”

  15. Love! Let’s do it again! (And I see that you thankfully found someone more skilled in a certain digital area 😉

  16. I have always been a fan of a good clog. Even in the days when they were considered very unchic. I have leopard clogs that I got in the 1990’s(one of my few old shoes that made it through the great shoe loss of 2009). You have inspired me to take them out of the closet and put them on my feet. I might even wear them with double denim.

  17. oh man…I toiled with this idea for a few months already. I got some pretty cool huarache style clogs that are not the typical clog that Im waiting to wear for the right moment. Everyones gonna jump on the bandwagon soon

  25. I tried the suede Miu Miu clogs on in Bond St.. but I couldn’t walk comfortably in them… I prefer a peep toe somehow,for me they are more comfortable… You on the other hand look fabulous in them … and I am jealous!
    I am loving the double denim, although haven’t actually worn it yet LOL .. I know I will xx

  27. Do you hear that sound? Its the sound of words being eaten, as I swore I would not revisit the clog after enduring them in the early 70’s! But your new Miu Miu’s are fantastic — shape, pattern and heel — that they need to find a new name for them as “clog” does not do them justice! Are they comfy? (I’ll be starting a new shoe fund of course.) I also agree about gift certificates, to me they represent found money and I always use them to purchase something completely frivolous. Oh and while at the library today (doing research, yeah sure how am I expected to work when I can find a book on how to crochet a Vampire Queen or a Zombie? no fair!) I had a lovely daydream about your amazing Moschino jacket that somehow ended up with me trying to use “the force” on you. Sleep deprivation is fun!
    XXX
    Suzanne aka Chuthlu aka Darth Vader

  28. hi, wendy! thanks for ur comment on my blog! sorry i’m getting back to u a bit late. i have a lot of jeans but just one denim jacket to complete a double denim look lol! unfortunately, i look weird haha i love how it looks on other bloggers, but i don’t think i can pull this off lol i’m on the fence about clogs, but the print on ur miu mius are fun! are they comfy?

    TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

  32. So funny, I was just giving some serious thought to this trend thing a few nights ago. I used to be 100 percent against leggings, highwaisted jeans, carrot pants, the list goes on and on, but now, I am digging pretty much everything.

    Although, if something like Cross Colors comes back into fashion and I end up liking it, I might have to retire from this whole fashion blogging thing for good.

    I tried double denim two weeks ago …

    http://www.fashion-butter.com/2010/04/outfit-double-denim.html

  33. I don’t think you can call an outfit boring when it features platform satin daisy-printed clogs.

    I love the aesthetics of clogs, but they seem to me the most uncomfortable thing EVER. When I was younger I used to borrow a pair of my mum’s which are completely gorgeous but walk more than a few metres and you’re screwed. Are the Miu Mius comfortable?

  34. oh no you didn’t… those are amazing–what a great purchase. and i totally agree with you on the never say never thing. i almost always will.

    i am only 5’5. the powers of photography i tell you. bahahaha.

    xxx
    t

  35. the cuffed jeans,checkered sunglasses and the daisy printed miu mius = LOVE!

    Wendy this post makes my day! all my fave things in one.
    big kiss
    xx
    marian.

  39. I have a soft spot for the Miu Miu clogs – the print is so whimsical and fun and unexpected (on most of the line and not just the clogs… I can barely resist a cat print on anything). You wear them well!

  40. I don’t think I’ll ever embrace the double/triple denim look…but I’ve never been much of a jeans girl.

    Clogs on the other hand…I love them!

  41. I’ve always coveted the classic Danish style of clogs (the 1970s wrap-skirt and clogs ‘I trained as a dancer’ or suburban Unitarian poet-knitter clogs) but am afraid to wear them to work (I’m already a little “different” in a law firm – why paint on a bigger bullseye) and am not sure that they will be comfy enough (I have demanding feet) but clogs are SO COOL……

  42. I love you philosphy on gift cards! I’m guilty of buying the “practical” item with my cards. Next time, I’ll make sure to go for the extravagent purchase instead 🙂 The Miu Miu Clogs are sooo fun, like you! Perfect match!

  44. I like those clogs…don’t love ’em, but then this is my 3rd time experiencing clogs being in (the first in ’79, then around ’92, then now). I just don’t like my heel hanging out there, plus I’m klutzy so I tend to step out of them.

    I do applaud and agree with your gift card policy – you should always buy something crazyass with a gift card! It’s a rule!

  47. How could you possibly call that outfit boring? Especially when you look as cute as all getout?! The clogs remind me of a pair I had, believe it or not. And we *love* the vintage glasses, our collection remains one of our treasured possessions!

    BTW, had to mention you in today’s post, the SATC is too cool!
    tp

  49. I find it so difficult to walk in clogs/mules. That said, those daisy ones are AMAZING and I would gladly shuffle along the street like an old lady if I owned them.

    My word was ‘avengers’. I am SO excited by this!!