Microsoft has confirmed that its rumored Crocs collaboration is real—and the result is footwear that blends nostalgia with questionable taste. The limited-edition clogs are styled after Windows XP’s iconic “Bliss” wallpaper, complete with rolling green hills and a bright blue sky.
The shoes are decorated with “Jibbitz charms,” Crocs’ term for the small plastic add-ons that personalize their products. In this case, the charms are unmistakably Microsoft: Internet Explorer, the Windows Recycle Bin, and, most notably, Clippy—the infamous Office Assistant that many remember as intrusive rather than helpful. Microsoft even pitched Clippy as an early ancestor of Copilot, linking the retro mascot to its modern AI push.
The Crocs aren’t being sold in stores. Instead, they’re part of a competition giveaway on Instagram tied to Microsoft’s 50th anniversary. The company has dabbled in novelty fashion before, most famously with its intentionally “ugly” holiday sweaters. Those sweaters, often themed around retro Windows visuals, sold out quickly in past years despite their kitsch design. The Bliss wallpaper also inspired the 2023 edition, making its way into Microsoft’s now-oddly consistent sideline in ironic apparel.
The Crocs are joined by other small merchandise items, including a drawstring bag that also riffs on the Bliss landscape. While the collaboration may never extend beyond giveaways, it underscores Microsoft’s willingness to lean into internet humor and nostalgia for its most recognizable software moments—even if the result is footwear that many might call unwearable.
