20 Nov, 2009
Flip Flops, a 6,000 Year Tradition, Better with Time
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: beaches| california| shopping
Flips flops have been around in one form or another for 6,000 years or so. There are depictions of flip flops in Egyptian murals on tombs and temples dating from around 4,000 B.C. Those shoes were made of a variety of materials locally available such as papyrus and palm leaves. In other countries around the world the universal shoe was made of sisal plant, rice straw, and rawhide. Today’s flip flops have come a long way but they still retain the same concept as the original 6,000 year old shoe. They come in every size, color, material, and are dressed up with a variety of attached objects ranging from seashells to rhinestones.
When I was a kid in the Midwest, I only had access to cheap, rubber flip flops. I wore them during the summer months, but couldn’t wear them to school, or in the winter cold and snow. For someone with feet that didn’t fit the mold, this open shoe provided so much relief for my feet that I dreaded winter’s return.
At California’s beaches, people wear their flip flops all year long. It is one more thing we love about living in an amazing climate that changes only a few degrees throughout the seasons. I alternate my favorite flip flop shoes with tennis shoes–and my preferred flip flops are made by Crocs. They were built well , which may attribute to the company’s financial woes. The shoes are comfortable, amazingly sturdy, and I’ve worn them daily for several years–the same pair! When Crocs sponsored the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournaments held at California’s beaches, they introduced a bright yellow Crocs flip flop shoe to match the logo design of the event.
With mellow weather and casual attire in the workplace, at weddings, churches and nearly every place you go, flip flops have been stylized to fit those many occasions that require an extra buckle or sequin. At Nordstroms you can buy flip flops for evening dress up, or you can purchase affordable flip flops for the kids at Walmart, KMart and Target where you can pay as low as a few dollars.
When you pack your belongings to visit Southern California beaches, bring your flips flops. You can’t go wrong with a shoe that fits in your luggage, and is acceptable most anywhere you go. If you need new threads, put flip flop sandals on your list of items to shop for in California. Nearly every beach store has them.
