Why do so many women wear flip-flops?

[SamAdams76]

OK, so I'm at the Dunkin Donuts this morning, it's a rather cool spring morning, about 50 degrees. I can see my breath in the air! Yet, every woman in the Dunkin Donuts were in flip-flops!

Now everywhere I go these days, it seems that the women are wearing flip-flops instead of regular shoes. Why is that?

I just don't get the appeal of wearing flip flops. I can understand wearing them at the beach. And when I was in Marine boot camp (Parris Island), we were issued a pair to wear to the shower. But anywhere other then the beach or the shower, I'm just not getting it. Why would you want to wear flip-flops instead of regular shoes?

Now get this, I go walking with the dog every morning for about 4 miles. Think I could do that in flip-flops? Think again. Nothing but hard-soled footwear for me. I wear hiking boots maybe 9 months out of the year. During the summer, I might switch to sneakers (New Balance) or maybe some Docksider boat shoes. But no flip-flops for me.

I'd like to see some woman follow me into the woods in flip-flops when I go hiking. Good luck with that. Try hiking Mt. Washington in a pair of flip-flops. You won't think flip-flops are so swell when you try that.

I'm not quite sure when women in flip-flops became the "in" thing. Back when I was younger, you just didn't see flip flops except maybe at the beach or in the shower like I mentioned before. Suddenly, all these women decide that this is what they want to wear. You even see woman in dresses with flip-flops. What is up with that? It's like if I wore a suit with sandals. It would be ridiculous. But for women, they seem to get away with wearing flip-flops with their business attire.

Also, isn't it uncomfortable to go walking around in flip-flops? Don't you feel vulnerable walking around in public with flip-flops? What if a nuclear bomb went off and you had to run for the hills? Wouldn't get very far in a pair of flip-flops. What if somebody with heavy boots was to stomp on your toes? If you were wearing regular shoes, not such a big deal. In flip flops, it's going to leave a mark.

Somebody, hopefully, will explain this flip-flop thing to me. I would like to understand. Thank you and good night.

[Persevero]

“why not wear sandals or open-toe “flats”?”

That’s what I do, to avoid looking slummy.

Never sweatpants OR a tshirt, either. We have our standards.

[Huntress]

It was his own damn fault.

[LibFreeOrDie]

LOL! I just KNEW there was a reason why I didn’t like him!

[twinzmommy]

Crocs makes flip-flops!

http://www.crocs.com/crocs-crocband-flip/11033,default,pd.html?cid=410&cgid=women-footwear

Just thought you’d like to know ;)

[IrishCatholic]

Well, here in Kansas it is the prickly pear cactus and the cow patties that dictate my footwear. I don’t even own flip flops.

“Do they smell while indoors and do they stain the carpet?”

Well....I don’t know about your personal lifestyle, but it never occurred to me to bring either into the house. :-0

[I still care]

Step in sandals (called "Slides") are my favorite footwear. They can have an arch, be dressy, and show my pedicure.

Slides can be fancy and even have a heel, or they can be casual or whatever. I live in the things. (I live in FL, everyone tends to wear them)

Flip flops, no matter how careful you are, you can bend them and take a nasty fall.

Casual slides:

[tina07]

yup! Returning from golfing (of course!)

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2010/04/obamas_springtime_foursome_for.html

[tina07]

LOL!!

[srmorton]

I agree. They ARE very comfortable. There are also different categories of flip-flops. The ones I wear to work (NOT with a dress) have a thicker sole and some sort of decoration (such as sequins) making them more suitable than if they were the flat, "shower shoe" variety. They do show off my pedicure as well. I always have closed-toed shoes available to wear because I teach some labs and closed-toed shoes are required in those situations, but I change my shoes as soon as lab is over!

I think the big thing with wearing flip-flops started when Rainbows became popular. They are leather and cost about $40 a pair. When you pay that much for a pair of casual shoes, you want to wear them other places than just around the house. That is when I began to see students wearing flip-flops in the dead of winter. Since it does not get all that cold in NC, they do not get frostbite, but I,for one, put my flip-flops away in the winter until warmer weather.

[arthurus]

Hear at a Gulf Cost resort where I work, during Spring Break I saw the couples all going out. The scene- it is night and temperatures are upper 40s. Without exception she is wearin gminimum sandals and an abbreviated something that used to be called a cocktail dress. He is wearing a coat over a sweater, long pants and shoes with socks. She is shivering and complaining about how cold it is. Even at that age I was not drawn to stupid girls. From what I see at spring break if I were young again I would have a very small field to draw from if any.

[Bankroller]

Flip flops used to be called thongs. Thongs have now evolved into a different type of fashion statement the last 20 years. But that’s for another thread. . .

[Troublemaker]

We wear them because our feet hurt.

That's a good reason. I often wear large steel-toed boots w/ metatarsal guards on them (to protect my feet from the cattle) and the first thing I do when I get home is put on my Adidas slides and let "the dogs bark". :o)

[antceecee]

Growing up flip flops were our summertime shoes. We each got one pair of shoes in the Fall for the school year and by spring they pretty much did not fit and then down to the dime store to get our summer flip flops.

[conservative cat]

I love slides, too! That and heavier duty walking sandals (with buckles) when I want to be less dressy. Hate hate hate flip flops. They aren’t even comfortable with that thing between the toes and no arch support.

[fire4effect]

Is this a doctored photo of the president? What is on his feet is a favorite of moslem men.

[stilloftyhenight]

Women’s shoes are miserably uncomfortable, especially since being manufactured in China.

Personally, I don’t wear them, preferring Minnetonkas that conform to the shape of your foot. But I certainly understand why people do wear them.

[ThanhPhero]

I never wore sandals at all until I went back to Việt Nam the first time. It was very warm there and a real pain to take off one's shoes or put them on every time one transits a door, even in the shops in the small towns. I acquired a pair of slides and e wore them as my normal footwear until the soles were paper thin and had holes. Then I got another pair. I wear them all the time when the temperature is above 55 degrees or so, even to church and with a suit until summer is fully here and the suit gets put away for cooler weather.

[mplsconservative]

We call them sandals in Minnesota, and oh, they feel soooo good after months in heavy socks and boots.

It feels so wonderful to free the feet, get a pedicure and flip off your footwear at will.

My husband thinks I’m crazy but I have several pairs of sandals in many colors to match each outfit. They’re much more inexpensive than winter footwear.

Long live the summer shoe, whatever it’s called in your location.

[boatbums]

FWIW...I haven’t worn flip-flops since I was about 17 (a loooong time ago!). If I tried today, I would get a blister between my toes, because I remember that is what would happen transitioning into summer footwear in my younger years. I’ll stick to “strappy sandals” and deck shoes. :o)

[dalereed]

They match their personality!