2. The ‘Boots With The Fur’ Are Finally Here Back in 2007, when flip phones were snapping shut for the last time and MySpace Top 8s decided social hierarchies, T-Pain’s verse on the 2007 hit “Low” had everyone singing about “Apple Bottom Jeans” and those unforgettable “boots with the fur.” Since then, the six-time Grammy winner has been flooded with tags and memes asking when the furry boots would be a real thing. After years of playing along and joking with fans online, Crocs jumped in to finally give “shawty” some boots worth looking at. T-Pain announced the collab with the shoe company on Instagram, writing, “2008 called, we answered. Coming 10/23.” The post included a short video of him in a mock lab, goggles on, carefully inspecting a pair of furry boots. The limited-edition Crocs x T-Pain Classic Unfurgettable Leopard Knee High Boot came fully drop-it-low ready with a knee-high silhouette wrapped in vegan leopard-print faux fur, metallic accents and a platform sole. It’s Crocs’ tallest silhouette ever, measuring 35.4 inches from base to top, and includes customizable details like 17 Jibbitz charms, chains and clip-on embellishments. If nearly 3 feet of fur is a little too much for your tootsies, a classic clog and ankle boot version are available as well. The boots retailed for $159.99 on Crocs.com and in-store only at the Crocs SoHo location in New York City. The T-Pain collab dropped October 23, also known as Crocs Day, as the centerpiece of Croctober – the brand’s annual fan celebration. The event featured community-led content, in-store activations, surprise giveaways and a nonstop TikTok Shop livestream. Crocs closed out 2024 with record sales topping $4.1 billion, a 4% jump from the year before. “Collaborations are a key part of our lineup – they allow us to reach new customers who might not otherwise consider our brand,” said Crocs CEO Andrew Rees. 3. Ford’s Limited-Edition ‘Truckle’ Is Part Cowboy, Part Key Fob Some ideas start in the boardroom. Others start with someone saying, “Hold my beer.” Either way, the result was the Truckle, Ford’s limited-edition belt buckle that holds a key fob. It was built to mark the F-150’s 50th anniversary. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker wanted something that felt true to the truck’s craftsmanship and long history. It’s the kind of product that has Henry Ford’s ghost saying, “Whelp, here we are.” The back of the buckle is where the horsepower hides. It holds a standard fob compatible with F-150 models from 2018 on. Slip it in, snap the buckle to your belt and when you get close, the truck senses the fob just like it would one in your pocket or purse. “With the fob housed in the buckle, the truck automatically unlocks upon approach and locks when you walk away, offering true hands-free access,” according to Ford. The fob is visible only from the backside of the Truckle. It’s held in place with a small lip and “locking fixture,” says Truckle designer Andy Andrews. “Once you have it in there, you’re not going to lose that key fob. You’re not going to be scratching your head wondering where it’s at. It’s right there with you in the Truckle.” Andrews and his small crew cut, etch and polish each 4.5-by-3-inch buckle by hand. Made of German silver, jeweler’s gold and copper, it features intricate floral details and Ford’s classic blue oval embossed beside a tiny image of a 1975 F-150. Andrews calls it “extremely wearable and attractive” with a “nice unisex feel that anyone can wear.” If you’re dead set on wearing the pants in your relationship with your F-150, you’ll have to pony up for it. The Truckle costs $200, and a matching leather belt sells for $34. Every buckle is serialized, boxed and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. The Truckle is the kind of idea that sounds like a joke until you realize it’s already sold out. But, according to the product page, everyone needs to “hold your horses” because there are “more coming soon.” Photo courtesy of PR Newswire Credit: A Cut Above Buckles PPAI • JANUARY 2026 • 65 Buzzworthy | Community
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