I saw this phrase in a magazine article about Crocs footwear.
My reply: Yeah right. Kelan pa naging maganda ang pangit?
Since the first time I saw those multicolored jelly clogs with humongous holes, I never thought that anyone would honestly believe that these shoes are really cool. First of all, the colors which they are offering are like screaming shades of crayons – something won't even look good with your plain black or white outfit. Second they’re so bulky! Walking in them would make you feel like Ronald McDonald or Boyoyong. Third, they smell like plastic! And the list goes on… Hahaha
But seriously, I still can’t believe that a pair costs like a mobile phone already (without a colored screen or built-in camera of course). And the thing is, though they cost so much, a lot of people are still buying them. Maybe it’s because of the “status symbol”.. Maybe it’s because of the therapeutic effect.. I’m not really sure. Whatever the reason may be, the trend is really evident because nowadays, a lot of stores are carrying this line of footwear (like Chocolate Clothing Company and Shoe Salon) and Crocs stores are starting multiply.
It’s funny that despite the news about the foot injuries of people (kids especially) because of their jelly clogs being stuck in the sharp edge of the escalators, parents still buy the product for their kids and themselves as well. Because of all the hype, I got curious as to what these “cool” footwear (though I am not interested in getting one for myself). It was a good thing that my aunt and her whole family has one, I was able to borrow a pair. I tried them on and with all honesty, I felt like a fashion victim in a snap. You can’t blame me for they really are unappealing. Fine, they are almost weightless, but then you’d feel like you’re wearing a piece of Styrofoam. I just don’t get it.
Well, what I think doesn’t matter when there are still a lot of people wearing them and are considering of getting a pair for themselves. Come to think of it, it still is the same with the Havaianas fad. Both brands are able to price their goods at an amount which is quite high, considering that their good isn’t supposed to be luxurious. But then, I can’t blame these brands for having such prices. They are just taking advantage of the situation. Since people are willing to buy these products at a high price, why would they still put their prices down?
Ugly is the new cool. It really doesn’t matter what I think when at the end of the day, I would see my aunt, my uncle, my cousins, my friends, my friend’s friends, my friend’s sister and some stranger wearing those screaming crayon colored jelly clogs.
Claps for Adam Smith. Haha
-M.Venzon
19 comments:
Hi!
I completely agree that Crocs simply just aren't treated as what they are supposed to be -- diced up to protect stereo components in boxes.
I find that businessmen must have found this little chink the way many Filipinos think: belonging, not daring to be different. You can see now to what lengths they would go to just to belong. Believe me, when it comes to fashion, it seems that people wear things just because they're "in," even to the risk of looking the same in a group. (Think: penguins.)
I was also wondering what the therapeutic effect was. Are there any? Maybe it's therapeutic for someone else, because laughter is the best medicine.
Lastly, perhaps ugly is the new thing. I mean, not only on footwear, but you can see that a lot on TV shows, too. Bad hair and everything.
I enjoyed this one. Thanks. :)
ditto! crocs aren't very attractive quite on target with that one the businessmen capitalized on the fad of slippers
I don't get it either. I find crocs utterly obnoxious and the worst part - it sells. :(
- Tin
yeah i agree. maybe ugly is the new cool!
i also dont like crocs.. i dont get why people buy them as well. crocs dont look good and they cost so much.
its as if some people dont have anything to spend their money on that they just believe in anything the market says to be cool.
it's marketing strategy towards brain-washing the public into getting their stuff. they'd create a new 'need' in order to create even more wants towards their own products.
although i personally don't care at all because in the end it's what individual people think and act. If they'd want to join the fad or not.
I agree with below posters. Filipinos have this insatiable need to belong, even with the emo thing, I mean, c'mon! These guys, and girls, were in the first place trying to be different. But then when so many people are trying to be different to fit in, then what's the freaking point?
Filipinos also have this mentality wherein buying something expensive is better than buying something cheap; with extravagance comes status, and status is everything. Entrepreneurs would sell a product, let's say an ordinary cupcake, dress it up a little, put a hefty price tag and viola, instant success! Because Filipinos would think that these items are too pricey for other people, they would purchase some just because they want to show that they can. Selling it at a cheaper price would lessen its want value to the Filipino consumer.
I would rather eat my own feet than wear crocs. Well, not really. But still, I applaud the people who have the confidence to go out in broad daylight wearing the most heinous footwear ever invented. Come on my friends, the Romans, Grecians and Egyptians had nothing but nails and leather and yet they were able to create the classic and enduring footwear -- the fabulous gladiator sandals. Now, look at us. We have the best technology and all we could come up with are crocs -- plastic thingamabobs that all at once manage to defy human logic while insulting crocodiles the world over. Seriously, crocodiles have been revered for the fierce and fabulous leather that gives birth to awesome shoes. Now that the crocs are named after them, they will probably want to undergo spontaneous combustion in order to save themselves from eternal shame.
While crocs are fugly to say the least, they are still quite fascinating. How can such icky things defy human reasoning? How do people look at crocs and say, " Hey, this will make me look like I have clown feet. I gotta have them."?
I just think that it isn't about business or advertising or human psychology. It simply must be that the crocs' neon colors are so loud, they make proper human comprehension difficult.
There you go, Bojo. Haha.
- Xela
i think that some people who buy crocs just want to fit in the trend -_-
i agree
People have their own preferences, we can't blame them for their choices. Maybe for them, those clogs look great or they just really wanna fit in real bad. But bottom line is that people don't care! We are all different!
Here's an analysis. The strategy of Crocs is all about dealing with the market's "need" to belong. Needless to say, Filipinos are divided into social classes, and the desire to portray one's self into somewhat of a higher end in the pyramid is taken advantage in this case. No one wants to be labeled with the connotations of the stereotypical Filipino mass ("iskawater!").
Since products accepted by the mass are usually those with good quality tagged with reasonable prices, companies create a diversion of trend by creating an analogous product, but with a higher price.
In our incident, the "higher part" of the public wants the efficiency of the product but turns to avoid labeling in regard to social standings.
Crocs and other similar products (Havianas) simply conclude their dilemma. Now,they can buy items with high efficiency as well as NOT be regarded as a part of the lower social class.
Sure, you can label Crocs as some
mediocre banal fashion tagged with sky high prices to satisfy the need of "social climbers", but hey! fashion is all about feeling good about yourself. If this is the case of the user, then the price is worth for the product.
(Open for disagreement and further discussion (para humaba comments :))
I must say that I like the colors of crocs. just the colors..then everything about it is ugly already. I think that it was meant to be comfortable (like havaianas) but despite the large holes they can still make your feet sweaty.
I like havaianas because I like slippers. Crocs on the other hand are just too weird, I can only imagine it being worn at the beach (or any vacation spot) by tourists who wear mismatched clothes.
Or. Or no. Maybe you're over thinking this? I mean. It's not always about how easily manipulated or naive Filipinos are. Crocs look funky. In a good way. They feel nice. Ang galing niyo eh. Smart na kayo sa ganyang lagay? Grabe. Like, ZOMG. Just call it good marketing. Don't go about stating how people just want to belong and what ever. The truth is nobody cares that much about social standing. Pinoys are confident enough na eh.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, i guess. we're all entitled to our own preferences. in this case, people prefer to buy crocs either because they want to be trendy or they want to be practical.
I have some friends who are taking up culinary arts. They said that most CCA students wear these because of the sanitary attributes it has that are required in the kitchen.
Or maybe they're just really comfy; i wouldn't know.
-saki
i agree. when i first saw a Crocs footwear, i never thought they'd deserve a second look, not even an item i would choose to get... although now...since they're constantly redesigning and redesigning...a few models already look "cuter" than before :)
still i don't get why they price as much for these colorful jellies. just like the rubber Havaianas. brands still have a lot to play and its for the advertisers who are able to do such a great job's pat on the back!
BUT on our part (as consumers), its just weird and crazy to buy an item "we dont even like" just because "ugly's starting to become the new cool" --> although everything boils down to personal preference. one boyoyong-looking thing might just appeal differently to another.
Crocs was smart enough to enter the market at the right time, with the right strategy. They were able to sell-off their ugly (yes, i completely agree!) sandals to something actually hip and cool, that they are even able to jack-up their prices and still manage to sell tons of their products. Amazing. Annoying.
Interesting post.
-Trix
agree!
bojo for president!
hehehe.
You know what M. Venzon? Your articles SUCK! You're the lamest writer I know.
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