Summer is just around the corner and as the weather starts to heat up more and more…the less clothing we see on people. The proper footwear is detrimental to your Summer look (the other option is shoes). In my opinion, there should only be the basic flip flop (ie. Havaianas or a reasonable facsimile in leather) at least for men, if you must wear sandals. Stay away from Birkenstocks, Tevas, Keen & those god awful Oakley Mandals. Flip flops should be simple and should not draw too much attention to your feet…they’re already exposed as it is and drawing more attention to it may not be a good idea specially if you have heinous feet. Sandals must NEVAH be worn with socks EVAH, if it’s a tad chilly out wear shoes instead.
Get a pedicure if you are going to show your tootsies to the world. Nobody wants to see cracked, yellow nails and dry skin. It is important during the Summer to pay more attention to moisturizing your feet since they will be exposed more than usual. See Jamie’s post on “Feet: Are Yours Ready for Summer?”
What is a Flip Flop?
In footwear and fashion, flip-flops (also known as Hawaii Chappals in India, thongs in Australia, jandals in New Zealand and the South Pacific, slippers, pluggers, go-aheads[1] or chancletas.), are a flat, backless, usually rubber sandal consisting of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap, like a thin thong, that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around either side of the foot. They appear to have been developed based on traditional Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals.
(The flip-flop is not the only type of thong sandal. Many of the other types are dressier and more formal than simple flip-flops. A basic thong sandal is held on the foot by a strip that fits between the first and second toes and is connected to a strap usually passing over the top or around the sides of the foot. Some thong sandals have a strap that forms a loop around the first (big) toe. Many different additions and variations of straps are possible. The variety of styles includes such as women’s heels, slides, and wedges, or kitten heels.)
Flip-flops have a style of their own, different from other types of shoes. These dressier versions of the thong sandal are often made of leather, suede, patent leather, metallic finishes, fabric and other textiles. Based upon prevailing fashion, they are sometimes embellished with buckles, jewelry, fringes, medallions and beading. In their more formal incarnations, thong sandals are interchangeable with any other dressy sandal, and are often worn as dress shoes. The term “flip-flop” is not generically used to describe this dressier style of thong sandal. Read more on the History of the Flip Flop on Wikipedia.
cj powers
May 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Havaianas are donesies! Once the GAP starts carrying them, it’s over.
Here in LA, everyone seems to be phasing out the flip-flops as the weather warms up. I see more and more people wearing shoes with their shorts (anything from an espadrille to a high-top). Personally, I love the look of a high-top with shorts.
If your beach-bound, however, flip-flop is the only way to go.
Redd
May 6th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
The flipflop is a classic it will be around forever. Yes I agree about the shoes and shorts….If you noticed in Cuba I was wearing hi-tops with shorts. I personally love that look as well. But not everyone is going to want to wear shoes with shorts so if they must…flipflops should be it.
Dave
May 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Although I understand the draw of flip-flops and like the look, I cannot wear them as my legs and feet get too sore with the lack of support. I’m a big granola hippy Birkenstock lover and I have no shame in that. I think shorts and shoes look great as well. I have also read in a few “straight” fashion magazines that flip-flops are only appropriate for the beach and should not be sported in public otherwise.
I think that socks and sandals can be fun and I give props to those who sport the look, as long as they know they going are against the trend.
Redd
May 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
True enough I read that as well…but as we know, people are still going to wear them. Kinda like Crocs LOL just the lesser of the 2 evils.
Donovan
May 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
CJ Powers: I’m all about the high-tops with shorts. I was sporting that look everyday in Los Angeles- just ask the boys. I also noticed in LA that the combat boot with shorts is back. Not everyone can pull off this look but for the few people I saw trying this trend- they definitely worked it out.
Redd
May 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Wow combat boots with shorts…so G.I. Jane he he
Dan
May 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I noticed in Cali that a LOT of guys are wearing shorts with socks and shoes, but not the mini socks that I was expecting. They were wearing full calf-height socks pulled up! I don’t think I can pull of the trend, but I have to admit, I liked it…
Donovan
May 6th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Dan: Next sunny day, let’s try the trend out in vancity and see how many looks we get.
Redd
May 6th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I wanna see this….unfortunately my stubby short legs can’t handle that much sock lol
Jason C-K
May 6th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
The calf-height socks pulled up thing reminds me of every single outdoorsy porn (of course, to REALLY pull it off it needs to be wool socks and Docs).
Thumbs up on the simple flip-flop… every summer I need a new trusty pair.