Fashionable Flip Flops

There are political flip floppers, and there are Flip Flops you wear on your feet. One is better than the other, and this is about the better other. Ok, we're just having some fun.

Flip-flops used to be very basic type of footwear — essentially a thin rubber sole with two simple straps running in a Y from the sides of the foot to the join between the big toe. They are most common in India (where it is immensely popular and called Hawaii Chappal), Australia, New Zealand, USA, Brazil, the Pacific Islands, and Soutjeast Asia. Now, they are a big part of the fashion industry, a growing multi million business around the globe.

Yes, Flip Flops have come a long way. You either love 'em or you hate them. I must confess, i liked them, did not like them, then i liked them again. I used to wear them a lot when i was young, then someone said, he didn't think i should wear them. I guess it had to do with the mixed up culture where i came from, where wearing slippers were considered worn only by the masses, or folks with 'low status'. Some elites took this to the extreme by making it a no no to wear in their presence. Thankfully this is not so much the case anymore.

I had a changing of my own silly mindset when i moved to Flip Flop country Hawaii. As they say, 'do what the islanders do'. 'Hang loose', or chill. Life's a beach, be casual. That means get rid of your rigid, shackling shoes, and let your feet breathe! I threw mine away, and now, i feel like i fit in. I'm no longer an oddball in a sea of happy, smiling people, nor do i look like a 'tourist' who forgot to do her homework. Flowing with the tide and jelling in with the crowd was like joining a new religion. You become part of a large community of believers, and you walk the talk (or talk the walk, in this case). You can't do without your flip flops, you must wear it everywhere. Then, you look at the 'unbelievers' like some alien and you wonder, 'when will they see the light'?. Well, i saw the light, and i went to the nearest flip flop store, located in Ala Moana, and bought a couple of pairs. I was officially a convert, adding myself among the thousands of flip floppers, still a fashion victim! I am now a user and walk around like i was born in it.

One of Hawaii's customs is to remove shoes, or sandals when you enter the home of your host. In fact, they do the same, in their own homes. It seems the islanders have it right. Why bring in the filth and germs we pick up and dump it on someone's beautiful carpet? Wearing flip flops makes life easy and hassle free. What i especially like is, no one really seems to care if you're wearing signature slippers. Once you take them off and walk barefeet, you're just like the rest. You have to agree, that is one less stress to deal with.

The choices for Flip Flops have become so extensive and so interesting, from cheap to pricey, from traditional rubber to leather trendy. From UGGs, Crocs, to FitFlops, there's definitely an evolution happening in the footwear business.

"Flip flop" is a trademark protected brand-name in Germany, owned by flip flop GmbH and the Bernd Hummel Group. Havaianas is a Brazilian brand of flip-flop that gained world recognition in 1998 after the company developed a style of the sandals for the World Cup that featured the Brazilian flag. Although Havaianas flip-flops have only become wildy popular in the United States in the last five years after many celebrities were seen wearing them the brand has been around since 1962. The brand's famous slogan "Havaianas. The Real Ones." originated in the 1970s as a response to other companies making knock-off versions of the flip-flops. The shoes are known for their comfortable soles and straps. The name Havaianas means Hawaiians in Portuguese.

There's no question, lifestyles are changing and budgets are getting tighter. There are also health concerns to address. How safe are these Flip Flops? Meantime, if you're in Hawaii, make sure to bring a pair!