Creepers–you know those flat-form shoes that were all over the spring runways that most people find horrendously ugly–are undeniably having a moment. Despite being called “the shoe equivalent of a turducken” by the Hairpin, and flat out “ugly” by the New York Post there’s a wait list in New York for Prada’s $795 creeper brogues.
So when I toured Danish shoe company Ecco‘s factory a few weeks ago during Copenhagen Fashion Week it made sense when they revealed that they were reviving their best-selling “Joke” model–a creeper if I ever saw one–for spring in bright bold colors. Plus, the Joke was created in 1971, so it’s right on target with the ’70s trend.
It’s an orthopedic-looking shoe that you might have seen your grandparents wearing. Apparently every little kid in Denmark grew up wearing them, too. Vivi Okholm who does marketing for Ecco sent over her school photo from 1983 where no less five kids in the front are wearing Jokes (see photo below).
But will folks actually wear them? Cool kids in Copenhagen already are–and this is a city with serious street style. Shopgirls at the uber-hip Wood Wood boutique have been spotted wearing them with contrast laces. And retailing at just $150, they’re far more affordable than the Prada creepers.

Vivi and her classmates in their Jokes in 1983 in Denmark.






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Oh c’mon!!!
I’m only just getting my head around the Flatform (see my musings via the link), but now this???
Mercy!
http://www.foxinflats.com.au/2011/03/flatform-beginning-letter-f/
So I think were going back to the 70′s this year. I really don’t see myself wearing Creepers but who knows, I might give in to the temptation.
Well, this website is also pretty good, you can have a look
http://www.autogpscar.com/electronics/auto-parts/gps-navigation-1724.html
I think they’re hot, especially when you add sagging brown hose…
It’s that vision that makes you so unique! I’ll wait till they make them in fluoro graffiti before I buy a pair….
:(
i like creepers.
I think they’re SOOOO ugly that now they’re starting to look fresh to me.
Like when I was younger, if my mother had MADE me wear those, I would have absolutely puked and rebelled. But since they’re coming back almost like an ugly fetish thing, they hold some appeal to me.
In fact, they only resemble a bulkier, more ungainly style of Sperry Topsiders or boat shoes.
guys, i own creepers.
it’s always better to wear creepers than to date them…
“Flat-forms” are awesome! I cannot wait for them to go on the shelves (LOVE the Lim 3.1)–first because they are basically a less painful/less extreme foot angle wedge. I don’t see ‘flat-forms’ as any different than platforms, and certainly not ugly. These shoes (above) would not look good no matter what heel you put on them; these look frumpy. Manolo seems to believe all platforms are ugly, and personally I find the stiletto platforms out of control. PS. Creepers are cool!!