Classic - serving as a standard of excellence

simple, elegant, design, function, quality, beauty and test of time

Tessa Clogs in our Ultimate High - simple and elegant

Tessa Clogs in our Traditional Heel painted in our Red Malin Design - beauty and design staple for 20 years

Other ideas that I think of classics:  Campagnolo (Italian bicycle component manufacturer), Mora Clocks (Swedish grandmother clocks), Orrefors Intermezzo Blue (Swedish Crystal), Black Tux (Daniel Craig) and the Little Black Dress (Audrey Hepburn)

We here at Tessa Clogs believe in old-world values that make our products and service beloved by our faithful following that we are sometimes described as a soul instead of a brand.  In today's cost-cutting, outsourced business world this can be a bit of a problem for us.  As we all know, items made in China cost less then items made in the USA or in Sweden where our Tessa Clogs are manufactured.  

We continue to survive by targeting our customers that believe a product can be made in Sweden and sold at a fair price.  This is the opposite of the economic model that dominates in the United States right now - which is to use cheap, sourced out labor.  

We here at Tessa Clogs don't want to take over the world - we just want to make the best damn clog we can possibly make and be satisfied with a little profit and the end of the day.  This is how we have survived for almost 20 years now.  Get yourself a classic - Tessa Clogs

Traditional Dala Horses

We have just received a assortment of new traditional Dalahorses, along with each horse came a letter describing the unique story of how these handcrafted gifts originated. I am more Irish than Swedish, but I found the Dalahorse story interesting and wanted to share with you.

" It was in the small log-cabins deep in the forests during the long winter nights in front of a log fire that the forerunner of the Dalahorse was born. Using simple tools , generally only a knife, toys were carved for the children. The fact that many were made was only natural, because the horses to them were invaluable. A trusty friend and worker who could pull great loads of timber from the forests during the winter months and in the summer could b just as much use on the farm.

In the older days the Dalahorse was mostly a toy for children, but nowadays it is a symbol for the kingdom of Sweden.. "  - Grannas A. Olsson

Photo Credit: Grannas.com

  It is a unique tradition and you can see the technique and careful attention given by each crafter to produce the Dalahorse. Tessa Clogs is proud to work with Grannas A. Olsson, the oldest company making Dalacarlain Horses.


Left to Right: Stuffed DalaHorse, Dala carving set

If you are interested in introducing this tradition to your younger ones, start by telling them the story and presenting them with a stuffed dalahorse, they will look forward to getting their own wooden one when they get older. For the more adventurous ones, a carving set, that allows them to create their very own dalahorse, under parental supervision. The Dalahorses come in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as limited edition Dalahorses that go fast. Check out our website or call us at (970)476-8083 to reserve these limited gifts.


-M

How do you wear your Clogs?

People often assume that Tessa Clogs can only be worn in the summer. Not only do I see local residents of Vail wearing them all year long, I often look online and see an abundance of people enjoying their clogs in the colder months as well. It is there on the pages upon pages of pictures that I look for my inspiration. It is right about this time, that I get annoyed with winter for limiting my wardrobe to pants, boots, and a coat. With the weather getting warmer, sometimes reaching up to the 60°, I want to celebrate. Although I do enjoy winter, I just love the summers here in Vail!

Some inspiring photos, Clockwise from top left: Man with cuffed pants and Brown Oil clogs,
Becky Black oil boots, Man in jeans and clogs, Brown Mtn Ski, Clogs with socks,
Wardrobe inspiration with Ultimate High, Black clogs with socks, Stapled clogs

 After grabbing my lighter clothes out of storage, I decided that today (with bluebird skies and a projected high of 40°) I would throw on some tights, a jacket  my cream slip dress and my pair of ultimate high stapled clogs. After coordinating it all with a pair of painted flower snap straps and my black Dala Horse necklace, I realized that it was I who had been limiting my wardrobe in the cold months.

Local Inspiration, clockwise from left; Tessa Manning in Van Deurs dress and Zoe boots,
Chris Manning in Black Clogs, Me in Ultimate high clogs,
Local in clogs, Svea in Nordic Clogs, Tessa in Ultimate High and HandMeDown jeans

Locals who have experienced the advantages of owning a pair of Tessa Clogs, are also my inspiration. I have sold clogs to many who just want something comfortable to slip on after they get out of their boots, and to take the dog out real fast. Something that they can walk around in all day running errands, wear to dinner as well as work. One of the most popular trends that I see is locals wearing their clogs and cuffing their pants. I am not sure why the pants are cuffed, nor do I think there really has to be a reason, it simply something that I see locals doing. Pairing their cuffed jeans with a puffy jacket and they are ready to go.
If you get stuck on what to pair with your unique clogs, just surf the web. You can find a way to wear them with tights, knee socks, cuffed pants, shorts, skirts.. well you catch my drift. You can continue to check out the blog for inspiration as well, previous posts by Chris Manning can inspire men who like to wear clogs and our website has Tessa Manning in some coordinated outfits with her hand painted clogs.
_______________________________________________________________________  Coming soon! Stay tuned to check out the newest designs and limited edition Dala Horses, visit our website or call (970)476-8083, to reserve these unique gifts.

-M

Tessa Clogs and Natural Life

The founder and CEO of Natural life, Patti Hughes, has a lot in common with Tessa Clogs owner Tessa Manning. They both had a knack for creating things and soon turned that into a business. Patti was influenced by her mother who would hand make gifts to sell to neighbors and friends. Once Patti found her interest in photography, she would print the pictures on magnets and make handmade frames. Soon she was selling her handcrafted items in stores including Tessa Clogs.

From Top left; Natural Life; Hemp Bag, Lounge Pants,
Natural Life assorted items, Jewelry

Natural Life includes clothing, jewelry, accessories for the home, and gifts. "Give.Love.Laugh", the companies tagline is further described by Hughes in an Interview for FolioWeekly; "We make stuff girls love with a free spirit, style and love to inspire girls of all ages."

From top left: Natural Life; Assorted items, Camper Mug,
Apron tote, Wrist let

Natural Life's boho style accessories and clothing appeal to people of all ages. I noted this as I was at the register when an older women came in to purchase a Natural Life wrist let with a flower embroidered on the front. As I was ringing it into the register I mentioned it would make a great gift, was it someones birthday? "No", she replied, " I really enjoyed the flower and always seem to loose things in my purse, I think this one suites me just fine." A few hours earlier a young girl decided on that same wrist let to be her first purse to carry the few dollars she was allowed. Proof that Natural Life really is suitable for all ages!

From top left clockwise: Natural Life; Ski Charms, Assorted necklaces,
Charms.

To inspire creativity, Tessa Clogs now carries Natural Life's stamped Charms. You can select a necklace, bracelet or key chain then add charms to customize it to your personal style. Charms that read, "Born to Ski", "Best Friends," "Soul", Skiing" and many, many more! Stop by the store so you can make your custom souvenir charm jewelry and to check out our other specialty items!


-M

Real Men wear Clogs Part 2 - I wear Tessa Clogs

Footwear - we all need it and use it.  I wear Tessa Clogs - I truly believe that our clogs will help your body by giving you support for your legs, knees and back.

All I can say is that I wear clogs every single day and am standing in them for at least 8+ hours a day.  I have flat flat feet.  No arch what so ever - take a look -

Now before you say anything about my feet - I was born this way.  This is not a condition that developed - and please don't sent me any weird emails talking about my flat feet.

I am showing my feet and my issues because almost all of us have some inconvenience (I say inconvenience because this is not a problem - a problem would be cancer).  My feet do talk to me and cry a bit when I am do anything without support for my flat friends. 

I have run 100 miles at one time (Leadville Trail 100 in 24 hours and 30 minutes with over 18,000 feet elevation gain), ski, climb, bike, hike, 46 years old and when I wake up in the mornings after years of physical activity I am sore.  I pretty much have clogs on right after I get out of bed until this body gets back in bed at night.

Are Tessa Clogs going to work for you - YES.  BUT - lets get real and look at the general population - the ones that are not wearing Tessa Clogs.

The general public abuse themselves with: smoking, over eating, over drinking and buying shit they don't need - grow up - life is short, don't abuse it.  These are the same people that tell me they can not wear a wooden sole and need a comfort shoe with 4 inches of pillow.  I hear crap like this all the time - my feet hurt, my back hurts, my knees hurt, blah, blah, blah - I can't wear wooden soled clogs.

Maybe loose a pound - maybe exercise - I don't know, maybe those flip flops that give ZERO SUPPORT - are contributing to the plantar facatis that you are experiencing.  Really - try something new for you - give clogs a try and I don't mean just putting them on your feet, wear them for a month.  Let your body get used to them and your body will love them.

We believe that we have the most comfortable stylish shoes - clogs - that a person can wear on your feet.  Not only are they hand painted here in Vail, Colorado, USA (not in China), made in Sweden (not in a sweatshop in China) they are truly a unique shoe/clog that will make you stand out for the mountain style and the ear to ear grin of comfort.

I am feeling a bit angry today with those people that tell me that they can not wear clogs - well - I wear Tessa Clogs.

We live HERE

I am by no means bragging but stating a fact - WE LIVE HERE.  HERE is a place that many people visit all times of the year.  I always remind myself and family that many people make sacrifices to come and spend time in our beautiful little gem spot in the world.  If you take a peek at any social media sites - people are sharing their adventures of their vacation time in Vail.  We on the other hand just share our everyday adventure being that WE LIVE HERE. 

Ski with School Day

Part of our ordinary everyday adventure - our public school district for those in K through 8th Grade - get 2 days during the winter to ski Vail or Beaver Creek.  Pretty Cool

Svea trying on her Tessa Clogs

What is difficult for our friends and family to understand is that we make sacrifices to live here.  These sacrifices that we sometimes argue and cry over are forgotten when we are living our everyday adventure.  These normal for us activities include skiing POWDER!  How do you describe a rainbow to a blind person or how would you explain skiing powder to those that can not. 

One of the best quotes that I read religiously is by Dolores LaChapelle -
One can never be bored by powder skiing because it is a special gift of the relationship between earth and sky. It only comes in sufficient amounts in particular places, at certain times on this earth; it lasts only a limited amount of time before sun or wind changes it. People devote their lives to it for the pleasure of being so purely played by gravity and snow.

As Warren Miller would say - if you don't move to the mountain this year, you will only be one year older when you do. 

Tessa taking her lunch break - ordinary life

Desigual Spring 2014, New Arrivals and Sale Items!

For those of who have visited our shop in Lionhead, or maybe some online shoppers, you might have noticed our inventory of clothing is unlike any store in the valley. Tessa has a great eye for unique styles from brands like Desigual, Van Deurs, Cream, Asha, Kask and several more. As I have mentioned before, Tessa Clogs is the only shop in the United States that sells the Van Deurs clothing line.

Clockwise from top left: Desigual scarf, Black Viky skirt (also available in pink),
Summer Pant, Panu Bolas Scarf,  and Desigual Bambobay Scarf

 Desigual is based in Barcelona, Spain; its philosophy is based on positive, tolerance, commitment and fun. For the first time, Desigual presented a show at the New York Fashion Week, it was the Spring/Summer 2014 collection. When I see someone hesitant about Desiguals bright prints, I tell them to try it on. Most of their products are made with a combination of cotton and viscose, so it helps show off curves but hides things you don't quite want to show off. It is too often that the person who originally hesitated, can not wait to show off what she has tried on. She will throw the curtain to the side and say,"I can't believe I almost didn't give it try", and then proceed to try on a skirt and a few shirts as well. Please browse through our new arrivals for Desigual, and also check out the new sale items.

Clockwise from top left: Kask Longjohn, Rider Yellow Ski Socks, Purple Heli,
  Crew Base Layer,  Pink Turtle, Black Calle socks, and Kask google 

For those looking for something reasonable to wear in the cold, Kask supplies us with bright crochet hats, merino socks and base layers. Founded in 2001 by two guys who really enjoyed making hats for their friends and family, Kask has transformed into making base layers, socks, and goggles, and they continue to develop new products.

Check out our newest sale, with items up to 70% off!

- M