Clogs are making a comeback

There are certain trends you hope never come around again.

Parachute pants.

Mullets.

Stonewashed anything.

Most people would put clogs in that category. Clunky and noisy, they don't exactly make for graceful walking. But when Marc Jacobs sent his models down the runway in the Louis Vuitton spring 2010 show, there was bound to be a trickle-down effect.

And was there ever.

Once reserved mostly for nurses and hippies, clogs are making a comeback in a major way.

I have to admit to having a soft spot for clogs. In the 1980s, my mother had a pair of Dr. Scholl's clog sandals she wore everywhere. She'd wear them to the beach, running errands, puttering around the yard. I remember Mom pairing them with shorts and calf-length skirts in the summer.

About six or seven years ago, I fell for another pair of clogs. These were from J. Crew, and they had a brown suede upper that covered the toe with a heel strap on a platform and a large, chunky heel. What was amazing about these shoes, especially for a 5-foot-2-inch girl like myself, was that they made my legs seem like they were a mile long. Pairing them with short skirts encouraged this optical illusion even more.

For the past few summer, I've been digging them out of my closet to wear, so of course I'm thrilled clogs are making a comeback this season.

But these days, I'm wearing them a little differently.

The first involves a pair of utility pants that aren't too baggy (the look here is more streamlined than sloppy), and I roll up the legs a couple times. I'll throw on a peasant-style blouse with some bangles and big, gold hoop earrings for a super casual but still chic look.

Another way I've been wearing my clogs is by pairing them with some skinny jeans and a tank top under a lightweight open cardigan, accessorized with a chunky ring and a wooden bead necklace.

I also like to wear them with shorts and a breezy linen shirt, belted or loose. Shorts create the same long-leg look I love but in a much more subtle and sporty way than a short skirt.

As far as trends go, clogs probably are destined to be short-lived. In the meantime, they're a fun alternative to sandals. And since summer is a great time to play around with fashion, it's not surprising clogs are having their moment now.