Flip-flops:
Written by Suzi Harkola
Florida has wonderful places to explore, great places to shop, and many exciting events. What shoes to wear? Flip-flops, of course!
Flip-flops are found in many shops, shoe stores, and online, and are perhaps the most versatile of all sandals. The shoes are comfortable, affordable and adaptable to most any occasion. While exploring the shoreline or sunning by the pool, plain rubber flip-flops are waterproof and quick to dry. When attending a fun gathering, slip your feet into a pair adorned with tiny baubles, such as rhinestones, pearls or shells. They may be flats, platforms or heels. Choose from hundreds of different colorful designs, printed on the tops of the soles, for men and women. Most are made with the y-shape strap, but you can also find those with a single strap crossing the instep.
The history of flip-flops harkens back to 4000 BC. Ancient Egyptian sandals were made from papyrus and palm leaves; rawhide was used by the Masai in Africa; wooden sandals were made in India; rice straw was used in China and Japan; the leaves of the sisal plant provided twine for sandals in South America; and the indigenous populations of Mexico used the yucca plant.
The first flip-flops started to appear in America after World War II as soldiers brought Japanese zori sandals back from the war, often as souvenirs. The precursor to the modern flip-flop really began to catch on when soldiers returned from the Korean War in the 1950s. Today, flip-flops have become part of the fashion landscape as much as athletic shoes, jeans and t-shirts. “Casual Fridays” and a loosening in what is considered appropriate office attire have made consumers more flexible about casual dressing. Flip-flops even appeared in the White House, when some members of the 2005 Northwestern University’s national champion women’s lacrosse team met with President George W. Bush. The women were criticized by some media at the time, but were quick to note that their shoes were dressier thong sandals, not “beach shoes.”
Flip-flops are everywhere. They may be the only universal sandal to be worn around the globe and called a different name in each country. They are sold in Russia and the Ukraine as lapti. In India, they are referred to as chappal. New Zealand has jandals. Hawaiians call them slippers; Australians name them thongs; and, in South Africa, they are called plakkies, slip-slops or slops.
Here in paradise, we know and love them as flip-flops!
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