There is a particular sound to a parisian summer: café chairs scraping the pavement, crispy buttery croissants crackling while walking, the soft rhythm of shoes crossing the Seine before sunset. This year, that rhythm has a little more weight. After seasons dominated by the easy familiarity of the Birkenstock, Parisian girls are choosing a shoe with more character and a stronger silhouette. The clog is back, with its rounded toe, wooden soul and slightly folkloric charm, bringing a grounded, unexpected elegance to the modern summer wardrobe.
The appeal comes from contrast. Clogs feel sturdy, almost rustic, yet they make a light dress look more interesting and give denim a more intentional rhythm. They offer the comfort women still want in summer, while adding a stronger visual presence than a flat sandal. Zara has already understood the shift with versions such as split leather clogs with studs, which translate the trend into an accessible city shoe with a platform heel and a warm tan finish.
Clogs: From Folkloric Shoe to Fashion Trend
The history of clogs begins with function. Across Northern Europe, wooden clogs protected the feet of farmers, workers and rural communities, becoming part of local costume and everyday life. Their shape came from necessity, but fashion has always loved objects that carry memory. In the 1970s, clogs entered the bohemian wardrobe through flared denim, suede jackets and long skirts, turning a practical shoe into a symbol of relaxed freedom.
Designers have returned to the clog many times because it brings weight and innocence into the same silhouette. Chanel helped elevate the wooden-soled clog on the spring/summer 2010 runway, pairing it with pastoral references and a romantic idea of countryside dressing. More recently, Miu Miu brought back low open-toe clogs in suede and patent leather for spring/summer 2025, styling them with tiny socks and turning the shape into a fashion-girl object again. Under Chemena Kamali, Chloé has also given the clog a new romantic charge, bringing it back into a bohemian wardrobe of sheer dresses, soft volumes and folk-inspired details. For spring/summer 2026, brands including Bottega Veneta, Simone Rocha, Zimmermann and Versace pushed the revival further, proving that the clog has moved from nostalgic comeback to real seasonal direction.
How Parisian Girls Are Wearing Clogs This Summer
Zara Distressed Leather Clogs, $119
The Parisian way to wear clogs starts with restraint. The shoe already has volume, so the outfit needs a cleaner line around it. A dark leather pair works beautifully with straight jeans and a white tank, especially when the hem sits slightly above the shoe and lets the sole show. With a cotton poplin dress, clogs add structure and prevent the look from becoming too sweet. With tailored shorts and a fine knit, they bring the right amount of ease for a city summer.
The strongest styling avoids obvious boho references. Instead, Parisian girls use clogs to add texture to minimal pieces: a black slip skirt, a soft blazer, a simple linen shirt. Studded versions, like Zara’s clogs, work especially well when the rest of the outfit stays quiet. That is why clogs feel so current now. They carry craft, comfort and a little eccentricity, giving summer dressing a more grounded kind of cool.
