Gardening clogs, specifically the Gardana model made by French brand Plasticana, have become an unexpected fashion trend in UK cities. Originally designed for horticultural work, these shoes are now being spotted on the streets of London and other urban areas, worn by people who may never set foot in a garden.
The Gardanas are made from 100% recycled PVC and hemp, giving them a distinctive earthy-caramel or 'bird-pooey' hue, as described by Vogue. Priced from as little as £25, they have been dubbed 'maybe the coolest shoes in London' by TikTok users. Their popularity has been boosted by appearances on the catwalk of US brand Bode in 2020 and endorsements from fashion influencers.
Josh Chalmers, a gardener at the Knepp rewilding project in West Sussex, wears his Gardanas both for work and leisure in Brighton. He appreciates their versatility, noting they pair well with selvedge denim and bright socks. TikTokers style them with everything from hickory stripes to suit trousers, often in urban settings rather than gardens.
Retailers such as Drake's, Plümo, Free People, and Straw in east London stock the clogs. Hugo MacGregor-Craig, co-founder of Straw, notes that while demand has been steady for three years, TikTok has introduced them to a younger audience. Most customers buy them for city wear, but their gardening origins make them suitable for UK weather.
The trend reflects a broader fashion interest in horticulture, with designers like JW Anderson and Kim Jones incorporating gardening themes into their collections. The Gardanas are seen as the pinnacle of this clog trend, though other iterations, such as Crocs worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also feature.
