[wyre]

Crocs became fashionable shortly after they released a $1200 collaboration with fashion house Balenciaga, but there is also high correlation with the popularity of crocs and the proliferation of chunky sneakers and silhouettes. Fashion is cyclical and Crocs were able to create an iconic and affordable product and lasted long enough for the fashion cycle to reach them.

Interestingly, Balenciaga released a collaboration with Vibram Five-Fingers and to little surprise toe shoes are still unfashionable (although more acceptable now than when I wore a pair a decade ago I think).

[Karrot_Kream]

Not just that but they leaned into their Jibbitz acquisition and emphasized how customizable Crocs are. Most of my millenial cohort uses Crocs as comfy, functional shoes, but I've seen a lot of Gen-Z who go out of their way to customize their Crocs and make them stylish. I have to admit I catch myself wondering whether I should customize my own Crocs.

Also +1 on the chunky sneaker/silhouttes trend. Crocs with stylish charms on them look a lot like the chunky sneakers that are pretty "in" these days.