Crocs Inc., the Niwot-based maker of colorful and clunky footwear, is stepping out with a new line of apparel for men and children.

Come October, the legions of consumers with a taste for the odd-looking clogs can buy coordinating T-shirts that actually contain a form of the proprietary Croslite material found in the now ubiquitous shoes.

"We've been able to take the best of the footwear product and weave it into a yarn with cotton," said Crocs spokeswoman Tia Mattson.

In other words, the shirts will be light, durable and breathable like the shoes. But they won't feel as if they're made of plastic.

While the Crocs phenomenon has gathered momentum since the company went public in 2006, Wall Street reacted favorably to the young company's bid to broaden its product offerings.

Angelique Dab, an analyst with Nollenberger Capital Partners, called the company's move to diversify "a very important key to the story going forward."

The company's stock jumped with the apparel news, ending the day 99 cents higher at $59.98 in Nasdaq trading.

The new offerings feature men's shirts and children's shorts, pants and skirts, which are on display this week at the Magic Marketplace trade show in Las Vegas. Starting in October, the apparel will be available at U.S. retailers and on the company's Web site.

Shirts for men will range in price from $36 to $58.

Crocs' new line of children's apparel will come in colors that match the company's shoes.

The girls' Happy Skirt (priced at $38) and boys' Explorer Shorts ($38) include places to snap on Jibbitz, the equally popular accessories made by a Boulder company recently purchased by Crocs.

Women's apparel likely will be available sometime in 2008, Mattson said.

New line for men and children available in October

Crocs will begin peddling clothes in popular hues well-known to its shoe customers. Women's attire won't be available until 2008, but men and children can outfit themselves starting in October.

• The men's line will feature shirts priced between $36 and $58.

• Kids' clothes will include skirts and shorts, priced at $38, featuring places to snap on accessories made by Jibbitz, the Boulder company Crocs bought last year.

kelleyj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5068 The Associated Press contributed to this report.