Freedom of foot

Friday is Flip Flop Day. But in Cyprus, flip flops are worn all summer long! Devotee ALIX NORMAN finds out more about the island’s favourite footwear

I have over 20 pairs of Havaianas. I’ve got the classics in jet black, coffee brown, and milk white. For fun, I have fuschia, turquoise, and mint. And when the occasion calls for something dressier, I go for glittery gold, sparkly silver, or dazzling pink. My partner has almost as many as I do – minus the shine. But, come Cyprus summer, the brand doesn’t matter. Whether you swear by Ipanema, Tkees, or a cheap pair, flip flops are the go-to for our feet; less vacation vogue and more essential apparel. And certainly worth celebrating!

June 17 is National Flip Flop Day in the States. Started by America’s Tropical Smoothie Café (which offers flip flop wearers a free smoothie every third Friday in June, and donates proceeds from the day to sick children), this annual celebration has been around since 2007. But the most humble of footwear goes back a lot further: the Egyptians were wearing papyrus leaf flip flops as far back as 4,000BC!

The Romans were also fans; they wore the strap between the second and third toes, while the Mesopotamians strapped theirs between third and fourth. Today, the strap between the first and second toes owes a lot to this region’s ancestors: the preferred method of the ancient Greeks!

Our more modern iteration took off in terms of popularity post-World War II, when American soldiers returning from Japan brought home thonged sandals made of rice straw, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, or rubber. By the 1950s, these zōri had been widely adopted by women, who enjoyed being footloose and fancy free after a life in high heels. Soon, flip flops were being worn by all ages and genders. And by the 1960s, the term ‘thong’ (still widely in use in Australia) had been overtaken by a more onomatopoeic description: ‘flip flop’. But it wasn’t until the 1990s, and the advent of the Brazilian-based Havaianas, that flip flops became a real trend…

By the turn of the century, flip flops were mainstream wear. In 2005, Northwestern University women’s lacrosse players wore flip-flops to the White House to meet with then-President Bush. By 2010, Hollywood celebrities about town were often spotted in Tkees, which come in a range of skin-matched tones. And today, we have all sorts of variations. Slides (flip flop’s even more casual cousin) are perfect pool wear; happy hippies (and vacationing Brits) prefer ultra comfy / slightly frumpy Birkenstocks; surfers plump for Reef or Rainbow, which provide grip; and teenage girls frequently favour flatforms, whose raised sole adds height (if not depth) to said wearer.

It’s safe to say that flip flops are worn by almost everyone, almost everywhere – though often under a different name. In South Africa, they’re sometimes called plakkies; in New Zealand they’re jandals (short for Japanese sandals). In Texas, they’re clam diggers, and in Hawai’i, they’re slippers, and worn year-round.

But flip flops aren’t always quiet the godsend we imagine. In Britain, it’s not illegal to drive in flip flops – but it is highly discouraged! Highway Code 97 states that, before setting out on a journey in a car, it’s important that ‘clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner’.

In the States (where people will give you money to research literally anything), a 2013 study saw seven per cent of drivers polled blaming their flimsy flip flops for auto accidents, while another report suggests that something called ‘pedal application error’ causes as many as 16,000 accidents a year. One group of injury lawyers (no doubt with a vested interest) even proclaim that flip-flops blocking drivers from controlling brake, gas, or clutch pedals have caused as many as 1.4 million car accidents.

But flip flops can also be more directly damaging to the body. “They’re comfortable and convenient for summer,” says podiatrist Nassia Savvidou. “But they’re not necessarily good for you!

“Your feet require proper support; they need shock absorption and arch support from the shoes you wear. In flip flops that’s impossible: they’re usually just a thong between the toes, which doesn’t offer support or stability to the foot. At the same time, many flip flops are very soft, so they don’t provide shock absorption, and we certainly see injuries, ankle sprains, and even back pain from people who wear flip flops for extended periods of time.”

While Nassia suggests flip flops are fine around the pool or at the beach, nobody should be wearing them all day, especially children – “they may easily trip and fall” – the elderly, or those with gait problems. Similarly, flip flops are not appropriate attire for a lengthy walk. “Don’t set off to Caledonia Falls in flip flops!” she exclaims. “Aside from the lack of support, you’re also going to rub the skin around the thong and possibly end up with blisters or irritation of the foot.”

Instead, Nassia recommends sandals with an ankle strap and arch support, and even then, they should be changed out for closed shoes to keep your feet in shape. “If you wear flip flops too much, you may find your feet start to widen. Yes, flip flops are convenient and easy to wear, and it’s great to feel a little freedom of foot in the summer season. But you need to be careful when and how long you wear them.”

Flip flops may not be recommended for all-day wear, but an hour or so at the end of the day probably won’t hurt. This Friday, I’ll be celebrating in my sparkliest Havaianas. Why not join me, and put your best foot forward in honour of annual Flip Flop Day?!