Comments on: Love in the Time of Flip Flops

By: rabrab

rabrab — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:55:42 +0000

Thank you to frumpiefox and Jennie, and may I add my voice to the request “Will someone please clearly define “flip-flops” ” before railing against them?”

I’ve read rants where it seemed that a flip-flop was any shoe with a minimal upper and no heel strap. And ones where the author is pretty clearly limiting their ire to the cheap plastic beach-shoe sandal. And others where the definition seems to be “any shoe that is capable of making that annoying slappy sound when the wearer is walking.” But then again, maybe they’re any sandal that has a thong-ish upper and a bit (loop or stem) that separates the big toe from the others? Or should that last definition read “any *flat* sandal…”?

I think that everybody would agree that these are flip-flops:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/37659325/c/5462.html

But are these?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/38234701/c/16784.html

How about these?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/38011162/c/20.html

What about these? are they sandals or high-heeled flip-flops?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/38218606/c/325.html

These? Despite the fact that they’d look great with a floaty, beachy sort of gauze outfit?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/38218542/c/136941.html

Or these? They’ve got the whole minimal upper, toe separation thing going on, but they’ve also got a back strap. Flip-flop or not?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/38218510/c/314.html

Right now, I’m sitting here wearing a pair of flat, suede leather-upper, thong-type sandals although the strap over the top of my foot is not so much V-shaped as it is triangular. I’ll be wearing them tomorrow, too, and probably all day Monday. Why? Because my feet are swollen and it’s wear them or go barefoot. They’re also quite comfortable. And if I were to go somewhere that they were too casual for, I would change into my dressier sandals of extremely similar style - the smooth leather ones with the beads on them.

By: Mrs. Hendricks

Mrs. Hendricks — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:03:54 +0000

Mr. Henry, you are so right! All that flip flop talk was just a smoke screen in order to rightly praise a delicious, delicious gin that will be the cause of our bankruptcy. But Mrs. Hendricks doesn’t care: she’s thrilled to have discovered the delightful Plumcake, her witty words, and a gin soul sister in Texas. Mrs. Hendricks used to live in Dallas and she still finds herself nostalgic for it after all these years.

Onward, Plumcake! Your adoring public needs you!

By: Jennie

Jennie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:46:35 +0000

Here is the rub…Defining the difference between the flippity flop and the sandal. Is it composition? Is it height? Is it the absence of a heel strap? Before one can condemn an entire genera, one must define the genera or identify the exceptions. The Manolo has been reccommending several foot claddings that are marginally related to the flip flips… How can I know what is right??? (sob)

By: Tuppence

Tuppence — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:19:22 +0000

When I lived in the City, I had to wean myself off my flipflop addiction quickly, but having moved back to coastal SC, I’m looking forward to flipflop weather. I have had Reefs and Rainbows and Tevas and even a number of cheap Old Navys and loved them all. Around here, since the water is only a thought away, people wear them all the time.

By: dcsurfergirl

dcsurfergirl — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:51:39 +0000

I can understand flip flops in communal showers, at the beach or when nothing else fits. But in Washigton,DC, it’s a safety issue.
The Metro platforms are hard and feet could easily get hurt from getting stepped on-ouch! Esclators can chew them and your feet. City blocks are long and the pavement can be uneven. Why bother?

Stay safe, everyone!

By: frumpiefox

frumpiefox — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:47:53 +0000

Perhaps what we need is a definition of the flip flop? It seems that many of us are talking about very different things. To me, flip flops are the cheap foam-rubber soled, painful plastic strap between the toes variety. I find them annoying, more because of the idiots who do wear them in the middle of Wisconsin winters than anything else, but I’ve never found a pair that were comfortable. I have never had the issues of falling out of them that some have, but the hard plastic strap always bothers my toes.

I do have a pair of really great Coleman thongs with arch support, rugged soles, and leather straps lined in cotton. These are the best things to take the dog out in, even on long walks in the park.

I also fail to see why many of the arguments made against flip flops can’t also be made against slides, mules, and the like. I am not defending flip flops, but rather supporting other types of shoes that may be similar. Maybe, like heels, it takes some dedicated practice to properly wear thongs and other backless shoes?

By: Nariya

Nariya — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:48:13 +0000

I think flip flops can definitely look pretty in the right situation. One has to find the right pair, of course, and amidst all the trash out there, nice flip-flops are a rare breed. To really do it right, I’d suggest going somewhere where people don’t see them as a casual shoe, and who can make them look as artful as any beautiful shoe. I get mine in India. I realize this may be a somewhat inaccessible shopping area for many people.

There’s one thing I have to add, though. Flip-flops are as difficult to walk correctly in as a pair of high heels. Most people when on the beach or whatever will walk with their feet splayed out sideways duck-style when wearing flip-flops. If you’re going to wear them anywhere else, learn how to walk in them.

And what’s this about feet or toes being ugly and unacceptable to bare? I respectfully disagree! Were that the case, a lot of beautiful strappy shoes would be socially unacceptable. Personally, I love my feet and I think they look great with a nice pedicure.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:46:14 +0000

I DO NOT GET the allure of flipflops! I cannot stand anything rubbing in between my toes, and flips tend to offer no support, plus they make that awful sound. It chaps my hide that some girls think they are appropriate footwear for the office. Appalling.

Also, because I know we can be honest here, most people have UGLY feet. Flips are thus the shoewear version of TMI. Cover those tootsies up, people!

By: Cat

Cat — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:43:18 +0000

“Let me ask you flip flop wearers something…other than comfort, which I’ll take your word for, what’s the allure?”

I wear flip flops around the house in lieu of slippers. I rarely wear them out of the house; however, on occasion my rheumatoid arthritis will cause my feet to puff up like balloons. When this happens, it is physically impossible to get my feet into a normal shoe; therefore, I wear flip flops. I have been forced to wear flip flops to the office and to various social events at which they are not really appropriate. Just this past week, I had to break out the flip flops due to the insane swelling of the feet, in fact. I wore them to the office twice last week. So, all you flip flop haters, please consider that some of us must wear them out of medical necessity. Be kind.

By: Mr. Henry

Mr. Henry — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:59:32 +0000

What? No comments on Hendrick’s?

Mr. Henry believes that Plumcake only used the denunciation of flip-flops as a diversion from her higher mission, namely, to praise the one true gin, magical elixir of the gods and the Scots.