JOIN USFlip-flopping through the ages in vogue
Finally it was in 2011, while vacationing in Hawaii, Barack Obama became the first President of the United States to be photographed wearing a pair of flipflops. That put the seal on them and transformed them into a more wearable fashion accessory.
Those rubber chappals which we wore as kids to play in the garden and walk around in the house have been turned into a lasting fashion statement. They are the new rage with both the young and old alike.
Flipflops are a type of open-toed sandal or slipper worn especially for a casual need, such as walking in the garden or padding in the house or even on the beach. Made of just a flat sole which is anchored by a Y-shaped strap, to the foot, the name "flip-flop" probably originated with the sound made when the sole hits the floor while walking, a great example of onomatopoeia! They date back to probably the Flower Child era, where a lot of Asian culture was brought to the west and considered cool.
Looking at what flipflops are called around the world is interesting -- In India and Pakistan, flipflops are commonly known as hawai chappal, which literally means "air sandal" as the toes and feet are exposed to the air. In Japan, there are the traditional straw sandals known as zori. Throughout the world, they are known by a variety of other names, and their style and material vary according to the country and its climate. Infact the wooden ones worn by the Buddhist monks and our ancient Indian sages and sadhus, with just a toe grip or a toe knob (quite tricky to wear, no doubt) were a kind of flipflops too! Pictures of Jesus too show him wearing open leather flip flops. One can even see the unusual ones which were worn by the Romans in films such as 'Gladiator' where there was a strap between the second and third toe!
Undoubtedly, flipflops might have been the most comfortable footwear since ages. Today, millions of varieties of flipflops are produced each year across the world. For over the years, flipflops have quickly became popular as casual footwear for both young men and women. Girls often decorate and encrust their flipflops with metallic finishes, charms, chains, beads, rhinestones, or other fancy touches. Well, from the sadhu wooden ones right upto today’s fancy ones, flipflops have remained in demand and in vogue, albeit in different avatars.
The range of flipflops available for women is myriad with umpteen number of colours, styles, prints, and patterns on them. You may find what is called kick-back flipflops in the regular shoe shops and strappy suede flipflops in the upmarket ones. But what really add the zing to this footwear fashion are women’s leopard print flipflops and that are unquestionably stylish and dressy. Flipflops can also have a wedge or a heel to support the arch of the foot, which is very important to keep your feet healthy. The skinny classic flipflops and skinny wedge flipflops for women are rather trendy too.
NOTE
* Most flipflops have no arch or support for the arch of your foot. Therefore wearing them for long periods of time could cause foot issues.
* Take good care of your feet when wearing flipflops. They should always be well cleaned and manicured.
* If you stub your toe or hurt your foot while wearing flipflops, see that you immediately dress the wound and keep it away from the dust.
* Do not buy cheap flip flops made out of old tyres and scrap materials as your skin can absorb any carcinogenics from the waste material.