The mistake is treating clogs like a novelty, something you wear once to prove a point about Scandinavian minimalism, then leave at the back of the cupboard. That's the wrong way round. The whole appeal is in wearing them constantly, until the wood has a bit of give to it and the leather has stopped feeling stiff against your foot.
They're at their best in that stretch between spring and early autumn, when you want something that looks finished without socks but can still cope with a bit of weather if it turns. Good for the school run, a market, a long day on your feet behind a till or a desk, because the sole doesn't flatten the way a flimsy sandal does. Less good for a proper walk across uneven ground, the heel can slip at the back if the fit isn't snug, and cobbles have a way of finding the one weak ankle in a pair. Pair them with a straight leg jean turned up once, or a simple cotton dress that sits just below the knee, nothing too fussy because the shoe is already doing a lot of visual work with that chunky sole and the gap at the heel. A linen shirt and loose trousers in warm weather. A thick sock and a midi skirt once it cools down, which is a combination I resisted for ages and now will not shut up about.
Stick to the plain leather ones in a mid brown, tan or black if you want something you'll still like in three years. Painted or printed finishes look lovely on the shelf and then date almost immediately, the way anything too of the moment does. A natural, slightly oiled wood base ages better too, it darkens rather than looking worn out. The leather will soften with wear, your foot sort of makes its own shape in it over a few months, and the wood will pick up scuffs along the toe that honestly just make it look more like yours. Keep them dry, a bit of leather conditioner every so often so the strap doesn't crack, and don't leave them baking on a windowsill, the wood can warp.
If you're buying your first pair, go for a plain tan leather with a natural wood sole. It goes with everything you already own and it's the version that looks better, not worse, after a summer of actual wear.
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