Designer Flip Flops: Taking Lessons From The Past

By Author: Mel Bryson
Total Articles: 223
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The origin of the flip flop has nothing to do with the embellished flip flops and designer flip flops that you see today on the feet of both the famous and the lay folks alike. It actually lies deep within history, although of course, they are referred to merely as sandals in such references. Imagery resembling the flip flops can be found as far back as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. From the art of ancient Egypt onwards, this thong style sandal was to dominate much of the footwear market. Simply made, with an attachment point only at front so that it lies between the big toe and the second, this shoe is versatile and accessible to all.

Many would agree that the popularity of the flip flop really began in many eastern cultures, in countries such as China and New Zealand. Today, this is where much of our historical information comes from on the history of this long-lasting style of shoe. While times have changed and the market has as well, flip flops are not the only shoes available to most people anymore, although there are certainly still developing countries where a close-toed pair of shoes are a sign of upward ...
... mobility. Thongs, from the sexy flip-flops on American celebrities to the Japanese and Korean flip flops that are provided for use in toilets, they are still quite the popular item.

One use of flip flops that one might not expect is in the military. Their use is being encouraged by both the European and North American military forces as both footwear for communal showers to slow the spread of fungal infections and promote a more sanitary environment, as well as for a lightweight footwear replacement for emergency situations in which military boots are damaged beyond repair. Many hikers have also picked up this trend, carrying a pair of flip flops- sometimes sewn to a pair of socks- as emergency back-ups.

In India, the common sandal most similar to the flip flop is the chappal. These shoes have a dual use, both as footwear and an indicator of one's anger and aggression. It is quite common for one to use their footwear as a threat by whipping them off and brandishing them at one's opponent during a heated debate. Don't think it stops there, though, more than one chappal has been used as a missile or used to hit someone. Now, this is certainly not the prescribed use of one of those designer flip flops you're staring at in the department store window, but it's nice to know there's a precedent to using those jewelry embellished flip flops to demonstrate your point in the heat of the moment.