what a Croc

Summer fashion staples: sundresses, sunglasses, beach bags — and plastic loafers.

Crocs brand loafers, made of “revolutionary Croslite material trademarked by Crocs,” are making a ubiquitous — and fans say quite comfortable — fashion statement.

“They’re very comfortable; they’re padded; it doesn’t matter if you get them wet; and they stay cool,” Bob Fuller said, while in Odessa visiting with his family from Augusta, Ga.

Fuller said Crocs have become his family’s vacationing shoes.

“We actually wore them at Disney World last year, all day, and we were so comfortable.”

Those behind their creation have even been surprised at the strides they’ve made from the shoes’ original intentions.

“Crocs were originally intended for the boating and outdoor communities,” Claire Loker, public relations coordinator for Crocs, said via e-mail.

However, it seems that Crocs are being worn for just about everything now.

“The comfort, functionality and unique design of the shoes appealed to a more diverse group of customers who selected Crocs shoes as their footwear of choice for a wide range of everyday and recreational activities,” Loker said.

WORK ATTIRE

While most everyone seems to agree that Crocs — and Crocs imitators — are off the charts when it comes to comfort, whether or not they’re proper business attire varies from user to user.

“I don’t think we’re supposed to wear them,” said Jennie Geers, a teller at Southwest Bank on 42nd Street. “I do know of this one lady who wore them, but that’s only because she had had a heel spur, and she had seen a doctor and everything. They’re probably a little too casual.”

However, some occupations almost require a shoe with the comfort of Crocs.

“I’m a nurse, and nurses are on their feet all the time — so we have to take care of our feet. They’re part of our job,” Brenda Gill, senior licensed vocational nurse at the Texas Tech Health and Sciences Center, 4241 N. Tanglewood Lane, said. “Crocs are very comfortable. They support your feet, lower back, upper back, knees and hips.”

Gill said she had another more personal reason for wearing Crocs as well — she wants to be a nurse with style. Plus, they’re functional.

“They’re just great for gardening,” she said giggling. “And you can accessorize with them because of the variety of colors.”

It seems like the squared-off plastic shoes appeal to almost all generations.

“I like them because my foot doesn’t get all wet inside,” Jaylyn Gonzales, 7, said.

Jaylyn’s mother likes them too.

“My kids have always been bad about taking their shoes off when we go out, but they keep these on just fine,” Rachael Gonzales said. “I actually have a pair of my own, it’s like not wearing shoes at all, there’re just so light and comfy.”

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Just as Gonzales isn’t the only Crocs wearer who believes in the Crocs’s comfort, Gill isn’t the only medical source who believes in the benefit to the wearer’s structural health.

Dr. Tara Deaver, a podiatrist, said Crocs could very well be a benefit to the wearer, starting at the feet and including all of the above.

“When it comes to something that conforms to the foot, it really depends on the wearer’s foot type and what their activity is going to be,” Deaver said.

She did offer a warning though. Noting she hasn’t personally examined the Crocs, she said if someone’s foot happens to be swollen or they feel more physically tired after wearing a pair of Crocs all day, the shoes may not be right for that person.

“If you have a more flexible foot, you may want a more rigid shoe,” she said. “But, if you have a more stiff foot you may want something with a little more cushion, a little more pliable.”

Dr. Carl Wininger, a podiatrist with Permian Podiatry — who took a little time to study Crocs — said he feels much the same way.

“There’s no perfect shoe for anyone,” he said, noting there are different “shoe types” for different “foot types.”

Wininger did say that he feels like Crocs offer a good opportunity for many people to find the “shoe for them.”

“I’m not necessarily endorsing them,” he said. “I’m just saying I think they would make a handsome addition to anyone’s shoe collection.”