Ladies of the world: let us flip our flops no more!
Posted at 2:00 PM Aug 05, 2009
By Andrea Grimes |
Earlier this summer, I made a difficult decision. It was an unpopular decision. To some, it would be an unthinkable decision. But I am a woman, and I have the right to choose ... not to wear flip-flops if I don't want to.
Yes, it is hot as the dickens outside. And I spent the summer traipsing up, down and across New York City, on sidewalks alternately wet and scorching. Flip-flops would have been a logical footwear choice. They're easy to clean, relatively cool (temperature-wise) and wonderfully refreshing to kick off upon returning to one's apartment.
And yet, flip-flops say, "Meh. I can kind of take or leave this whole 'style' thing." And that is not what I wanted to spend my summer in New York City saying.
And so I stuffed my suitcase with gladiator sandals, Diesel flats and a pair of well-worn cowboy boots in lieu of the easy choice, flip-flops. And I'm so glad I did. Sure, there were days when I wanted to slide on a pair of thongs for a 9 a.m. trip to the liquor store, but really, that's giving up extra hard, twice.
I found that removing flip-flops as a below-ankle option opened up a world of unexpected style decisions. When you can't just default to the idea that there will be nothing remarkable about your shoes and, by extension, your outfit, every ensemble becomes a little more exciting. Cut-offs and a Hanes boyfriend tee with flip-flops? Yawn. Cut-offs and a Hanes boyfriend tee with boots? Yee-haw.
And so ladies of the world, I ask you: commit to a week, a few days, heck ... an hour ... without flip flops, and see what fashion befalls and befits you.
Sartorially,
Andrea
Comments
You will have to pry them from my cold, dead hands!
Posted 08/05/2009 at 03:14:53 PMI stopped wearing flip-flops when I was 13. I've absolutely refused to wear them since. Those things just gross me out. I'm not even a super-fashionista or anything. A simple pair of flats just feels so much better.
Posted 08/05/2009 at 07:59:32 PMYeah, I'm the opposite of all things fashion and maintenance but I don't even do flip flops. It's been 3 summers now and I'll never buy another pair again.
Posted 08/06/2009 at 08:17:10 AMI rarely wear flip-flops -- I don't like the thong between my toes, and it's like wearing your bathing suit to the grocery store -- only acceptable within one mile of the beach, with a cover-up, and and you should be damp and in a hurry.
Posted 08/06/2009 at 08:37:08 AMEvery now and then, though, I give it a try. Shall I tell you about the last time I ever wore flip-flops? (Ever). My then four-year-old son and I were visiting grandparents in Florida, and I tripped while following him on some playground equipment. Sprained my ankle! Let me tell you, you don't want to sprain your ankle when you are pregnant (oh, yeah, I was seven months along at this point)-- it takes that whole conventional pregnant lady swollenness to a whole new level. (Boy, did it freak out my dad).
Huruaches forever!
I like Toms, they are easy to get on and off, they are pretty well circulated and weigh nothing because they are made of canvas material, and kids in Africa get a pair when you buy them. Win-win-win situation.
Posted 08/07/2009 at 09:01:26 AM