In Surprising News, These Zara Clogs Are The Only Shoes Everyone Wants Right Now

Weekdays in the time of a pandemic are not exactly full of surprises. One knows what to expect, daily activities are limited and working from home, if that is indeed your current situation, can feel rather monotonous. Imagine the thrill, then, of discovering something entirely unexpected one morning. Such thrill arrived today in the form of a pair of clogs – apparently a pair of shoes that every Grazia employee enjoyed looking at, if not buying, over the past few days.

Like an increasing amount of fashion trends, clogs are divisive. Without blowing our own trumpet, we did predict their renaissance back at the beginning of last year. It's true that fashion has always been slightly preoccupied with this style of shoe but, for a lot of people in actual, real life, they just seem a bit, well, unappealing. Even in thetime of Dad sandals.

Why, then, are Zara's clogs so covetable? There's a faux-shearling pair, as well as another fabric pair with a buckle detail. Both are less than £50 and, while they do look more expensive than that, perhaps the real desirability lies in the fact that they're designed to be comfortable – something which we're allstill prioritisingwhen it comes to getting dressed. They're also not Zara's first foray into clogs. Last year, the brand released a slightly more expensive pair in black and beige, both with an oversized metal buckle. They sold out in record time.

For Laura Jordan, Grazia's fashion news and features director and self-proclaimed clog obsessive, these shoes feel like a sartorial rebellion of sorts – a reaction against the expectation of women to look a certain way. 'I love the unapologetic ugliness and shameless functionality of clogs,' she says. 'Ironically, it's the frumpiness that makes them so appealing - they subvert pretty dresses or plain old jeans in much the same way that Birkenstocks and Crocs do. A bit of ugly shoe seasoning takes pieces I've worn to death into new season territory. Plus, not to be underestimated, they're comfortable - and since I've forgotten what it feels like to wear heels, this is the only type of shoe I'm interested in right now.'

Hattie Brett, Grazia's editor-in-chief has surprised herself by purchasing a pair of Zara's clogs. 'I have no idea what made me buy them but I rationalised it that they're as comfy as slippers but might ease me into post-lockdown life.'

If you're still worried about the 'ugly' status of clogs, you're not alone – Laura is aware of their pitfalls. 'I'll probably never get a date again if I keep wearing clogs, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.' But given that a lot of dates are now happening on Zoom, anyway, your waist-down wardrobe can be as comfortable and cloggy as you like. Good news for Laura and – potentially – for you, too.