I have a confession to make. After years of successful avoidance, I finally broke down last weekend and bought myself a pair of Crocs.

What's the big deal, you ask? Everyone on the planet already has a pair, you say? Well, it is a big deal when you're a shoe snob. My jeans may be Gap, my earrings may come from Target, but my shoes are Prada, Marc Jacobs, Burberry and Manolo Blahnik.

Why stay away from the shoes noted for their comfort for so long? First of all, the shoe snob does not consider comfort a factor in selecting stylish footwear.

Second, in case you haven't noticed, Crocs are just plain ugly. Bright, garish colors? Huge and clunky? Full of holes? Not exactly something a fan of Jimmy Choo would dare to dip her pedicured toes in.

My 2-year-old daughter adores her pink Caymans and purple Mary Janes, and, I freely admit, she looks quite darling in them, but on a grown woman who fancies herself a shoe lover? I just couldn't go there.

So, how did I end up with a pair? An upcoming family reunion that involves water play prompted me to find something to cover my feet that was both inexpensive and water-resistant. Thankfully, the Colorado-based brand has recently launched some styles that are borderline cute.

I bought the silver Prima, a $25 ballet slipper-inspired shoe. And I have to say, it's both comfy and even somewhat sweet-looking. My husband and best friend have both already caught me wearing them with alarming frequency. "You're a Crocs convert!" they tease.

The New York Times Magazine ran a story Sunday on the love/hate relationship folks have with the shoes. There are Web sites such as CrocFans.com that heap on the praise (complete with member forum where fans delve into deep discussions about such hot topics as whether or not socks should be worn with Crocs). But there are also the ihatecrocs.com sites out there (Croc-burning video, anyone?).

For now, I find myself planted somewhere in the middle. You'll probably catch me donning my Primas as I run errands around town, but sporting the clunky Crocs-and- socks combo seen on President Bush recently? Never gonna happen.