Plastic fantastic: Crocs launch clothing range

Undeniably ugly and eye-wateringly bright, Crocs began life as practical boat shoes and have gone on to become a fashion phenomenon, selling in their millions around the globe.

Now the maker of the distinctive clunky creation is promising to do to the t-shirt what it did to the clog.

The casual shoemaker, that has built an empire out of the trademark clunky footwear, is to launch a clothing range using a material derived from that used to make the shoes.

That in itself is enough to instil a certain sense of trepidation among fashionistas who sneer at the practical, but far from elegant rubber-like footwear.

They can, however, take some comfort from the fact that the shoes are not actually made of rubber (so no rubber t-shirts), but are rather manufactured using a trademark material called Croslite - a soft spongy foam resin.

Nevertheless, the prospect of clothing made from a similar material and in similarly vivid colours is sure to divide opinion.

Fans of the shoes, which have built something of a cult following, include Hollywood actors Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino, Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher and even royal consort Kate Middleton, who chose a red when she took up her paddle in training for a cross-channel rowing challenge.

They also include George Bush. who was pictured recently sporting grey Crocs with black socks. Not perhaps the best advertisement.

Whether any of the famous following will be rushing to snap up co-ordinating clothes is open to debate.

Shirts, shorts, trousers and skirts are among garments that will be included in the range - which at first will be aimed at men and children, but is later expected to expand to include women's fashion.

The resin will be blended with natural fibres such as cotton to create a breathable, sweat-resistant substance for outdoor activity.

A Crocs spokeswoman said: "We've been able to take the same material and spin it into a yarn so it has all the properties of the shoes - light, durable and breathable."

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Hollywood legends Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino are Crocs fans

"The clothing material has been called Croslite rt, the 'rt' in the name standing for 'relaxed technology'."

It is said to be resistant to harsh chemicals and heat which means it can stand up to exposure to sun, UV rays and sweat.

The clothes will come in colours complementing those used in Crocs footwear - which ranges from lurid green to bright yellow.

The range will be unveiled at a fashion show in Las Vegas later this week, hitting shops in October. But there are no immediate plans for the range to cross to British shores.

The Crocs phenomenon took flight when a group of American entrepreneurs decided to develop the perfect boat shoe.

They shoes were named Crocs because they are just as good out of water as in. The holes that allow water and sand out, and fresh air in, also give them the look of a toothsome predator.

The shoes were launched with design amendments and a clever marketing strategy (ugly can be beautiful) at a boat show five years ago. All 1,000 pairs shipped to the site quickly sold.

Despite its unfashionable appearance, the original Crocs caught on almost immediately.

Sales shot up as news about Crocs spread rapidly, mainly through word of mouth and write-ups on blogs where people either loved them for their apparent comfort and practicality or loathed them for the design.

At first favoured as a work shoe by nurses, doctors and gardeners, they rapidly gained a celebrity following that triggered a sales rush.

Since then they have sailed off shelves, and a host of other designs have followed, including sandals and wedges.

A shop is scheduled to open imminently in Neal Street, in London's fashionable Covent Garden. It follows the recent launch of a franchise store in Sheffield.

The company is looking at potential sites in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham with a view to opening five UK stores by the end of this year.

Crocs are now on sale in 17,500 sales outlets in 80 countries and are made at six sites in the US, Canada, China, Italy, Mexico and Romania.