Flip-Floppers
As something of a shrimper, a foot fetishist of long standing, to whom a beautiful bare foot is erotically competetive with a beautiful bare breast, I was a bit surprised to find myself getting sick of the urban flip-flop phenomenon. Naturally (or is it unnaturally?) I appreciate a beautiful pair of tootsies, but there's something about the pandemic of the shower shod that makes me want to step on toes.
And this year the flip-flops were out even earlier. I spotted them on warm days in March. Now, I understand that a pair of Blahnik thong sandals go for more than five hundred dollars, and flip-flops are about one percent of that price, so I understand the appeal of money-saving fashion, but it has gone too far. Half the girls you see are wearing flip-flops, some dressed up of course with plastic flowers or rhinestones, but still flip-flops, capable of being torn up by a pop top. And now half the boys you see are in flip-flops, at least on lower Eighth Avenue. I've seen flip-flops worn with suits! And many of the boys are not as careful about their pedicures as the ladies. And even the ladies get sloppy, or at least they get dirty dogs over the course of the day. It almost makes you long for the old foot-washing habits of the New Testament.
So, as much as it hurts to do this, I'm going to have to declare that flip-flops are over. If you are wearing them on the street you are in violation. I mean, if we let this go on, pretty soon we're going to see guys walking the streets of Chelsea wearing towels.
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love the flipflops, whats wrong with a towel :P
http://www.stylecharacteristics.com
mariodi
Jan 5, 2008 1:31:29 PM
HahahA! flip flops ar ethe fannypacks of footwears!! i love it! AGREED.
Mateo
Aug 22, 2006 7:52:58 PM
I live in Miami, and seeing guys wearing Reef or Quicksilver flip flops still pisses me off. Even if this is the one place in the USA where you can arguably get away with it. It's such a bad, lazy look. I wear soft ivory leather loafers without sox, instead. Yes, it's reminiscent the 80's Sonny Crockett, but they look a whole lot better than flip flops.
I'd go so far as saying there are NO good instances for them, not even the beach. My loafers do just fine there too.
Mateo
Aug 22, 2006 7:44:34 PM
Flip-flops are acceptable as shower shoes in a communal setting such as the gym. Otherwise, no! I bought my first pair in many years for deployment to Iraq. Now, they are in storage in my duffle bag with the uniforms and desert boots. And where they will stay, unless needed for such a similar mission.
interventor
Jul 14, 2006 11:21:48 AM
I could not agree more. I have never owned a pair of flip flops in my life. To me they come off as an acceptable excuse for laziness. I love it even more when I see girls wearing them with a belt on their waist (not in loops) and a $2100 handbag. Really allluring...
christopherGLORIA
Jul 13, 2006 9:35:48 PM
rfsgreene...
If your husband cares that much about men's feet in flip flops, uh, um, you think?
ankle_lover
Jul 13, 2006 7:24:01 PM
I never liked flip flops - beyond the beach or a country road - even before they tripped up John Kerry. Glad the Glenn is weighing in about them. It just seems stupid and wrong to wear them in the city, and with a suit? Come on.
Hunsecker
Jul 13, 2006 6:27:37 PM
I totally agree. Now if only we shame those that eat on the subway, and those that think it's fine to bring pets and children to bars...
MMA
Jul 13, 2006 12:18:58 PM
I agree completely with your observation and declaration. Therefore, this week it should be know as Flip Flop Independence Day...
Caballero
Jul 6, 2006 6:20:10 PM
Your husband's disgust is understandable. Non-toe-baring leather shoes of all sorts seem perfectly breathable. Does he have some sort of occupational particularity -- like, having to cross the Sahara on a regular basis?
But maybe I'm wrong, and slowly suffocating myself with my insistence on wearing normal shoes. I personally can't stand sandals of any type on men, but particularly hate flip-flops (and, well, Tevas).
I was once startled on the subway by a flying toenail hitting me in the forehead -- a guy sitting diagonally from me was actually clipping them on a crowded car, one of the most despicable displays I've ever encountered, and one enabled by the "easy access" afforded by flip-flops (he was wearing them, of course). Flip-flops are the fannypacks of footwear.
BorisVian
Jul 6, 2006 5:25:19 PM
My husband is constantly revolted by men in flip-flops. I have heard him exclaim "oh, the mandals!" But I worry actually about his overheating. Besides some nice canvas sneaks, what could he wear in really hot weather? Are there any decent mandals out there?
rfsgreene
Jul 6, 2006 3:17:40 PM