Looking for a pair of stylish clogs? Read our guide to Swedish ladies clogs for more facts & information…
Swedish clogs, like the Dutch klompen and the French sabots, may have originated in the farm fields of Europe and adorned the feet of peasants until relatively recently. Today, however, Swedish clogs offer women a host of both comfortable and stylish options.
Today’s women may have a Swede named August Johanssen to thank for footwear they so enjoy today. Johanssen is regarded as revolutionizing the old wooden shoe around 1907. In his small factory located in the town of Troentorp, just outside of Båstad in Southern Sweden Johanssen began orthopedically carving alder wood and lasting the leather uppers and created what is now regarded as the traditional Swedish clog.
From that somewhat humble beginning Swedish clogs for women have evolved into a wide variety of styles. Since the 1970s Swedish clogs have been regarded as fashionable attire for women. Their popularity was greatly increased when clogs first appeared on the feet of the then popular Swedish singing group Abba.
Traditional occupations for women may also have aided in making clogs the footwear of choice for women working in retail, food preparation and healthcare related occupations. These pursuits required countless hours of standing. The comfort that clogs afforded the wearer made them a popular choice for the foot weary.
A shoe, such as the Swedish clog, that features a stiff shank and a heel with the ability to compress to absorb shocks is favored by podiatrists the world over. Foot doctors also advise that a heel be 2 to no more than 4 cm high. The typical Swedish clog sports a heel height that falls within that range, although higher heeled models are not unheard of.
Over the years shoe manufacturers and shoe designers have taken advantage of the versatile nature of the clog. It seems that there may well be a Swedish clog for any occasion. The range of striking colors and patterns available seems virtually endless. That means that the right clog can be found that will pair well with almost any formal or informal attire. Although commonly regarded as informal footwear it is increasingly common to see a sharp pair of stylish clogs gracing the foot of a popular Hollywood star as she traverses the red carpet laid out on the entryway to yet another awards show.
Although painted clogs may partake of time-honored folk art traditions they have been transformed in the deft hands of designers like Åsa Westlund into fashion statements that are right at home on the runways of the world. Although the traditional Swedish kurbits-flowers are painted by a professional Dala painter the high heels and graceful leather work bespeak haute couture aspirations and achievements.
In fact certain “clogmasters” will only sell their creations to customers that they themselves have personally fitted. We can’t be sure if this indicates a practical concern for comfort and safety or a bit of fashion conscious snobbery. As regards the dual nature of the modern clog it could be both.
