I took this pic at one of our local waterfront restaurants. It typified to me, the laid back lifestyle that we have here in Florida, with a climate that allows for the wearing of flip-flops all the year round.
The name “flip-flop” originated because of the slapping sound that is made between the sole of the foot and the floor when walking in them. This style of footwear has been worn by the people of many cultures throughout the world, originating with the ancient Egyptians as far back as 4,000 B.C, and depictions of flip-flops are to be found in murals adorning the walls of Egyptian tombs and temples. The oldest known pair, made from papyrus, is on display at the British Museum. I doubt that there is a single South African who doesn’t own at least one pair of flip-flops, and I’ve been wearing them since the 1970’s, when we emigrated there from England. The ones I wear everyday as slippers, are a pair of Havaianas, which I’ve had for about three years. I thought they were quite a recent phenomenon, and didn’t realise that this brand which are sold even in such upmarket stores as Bloomingdales and Niemann Marcus, actually celebrates its 50th birthday this year, and was once the workaday footwear of the Brazilian poor. What a great success story! How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? I just checked my closet, and was shocked to find that I have seventeen pairs, varying from beach flat casuals, to gold and silver evening ones with heels.
To see more entries for Ed’s Sunday Stills Challenge, just click here.
Great photo…Now that I’m here in mellow FL, I need to undress my toes. So far, I have only two pairs of Reefs from my north house, both black. Any faves? I love Zappos…my search turned up almost 2000 choices!
No favourites really. I just buy ones that wave to me. 🙂 Zappos looks like a great site.
I don´t own a pair of flip flops 🙂 … the temperature right now is -20 C 😉 … // Maria 🙂
Well I’m not surprised, with temperatures like that, Maria. 😯
The thong part looks like an upside down horseshoe 🙂
Yes, I see what you mean, Chris p. 🙂
I do own a pair of Teva flip-flops but I have stopped wearing any others besides them since I read that they are not really so good for your feet. I do love the look of them however.
Thanks for your comment. I just looked at Teva on line. I may just get some of their wedgies. They have great designs. 🙂
And they are so comfy! 🙂
It’s so convenient… not for long walking or hiking though 🙂
Thanks. Amy. I agree with you. Definitely not for serious walking. 🙂
They are also great for travel in dodgy places as you can wear them in the dirty showers…They are certainly a foot wear of choice in Australia. Though I have to admit I only possess one pair, I wear them till they die then get another pair, after all you can only wear one pair of shoes at a time…. 🙂
This is true, Pommepal. I have my favourites though, and they have to match what I’m wearing and also my mood. I’m a shoe person. 🙂
I’m more of a bare foot gal…. lol
I have quite a few pairs…casual and dressy like you…..but at this time of year I’m loving all my long leather boots which are keeping my toes, feet and legs warm and dry!
Yes, I also have a couple of pairs of boots for when we visit England and New York in winter. 🙂
We can always spot the tourists here because they are ones walking around wearing flip flops and T shirts when the locals like us are freezing.
I guess if you are on vacation you don’t pay any attention to the thermometer. 😕
Well maybe the tourists are from much cooler climes, and they think your weather is warm. I remember when we emigrated from England to Johannesburg, I used to wear shorts and T-shirt in mid winter, when the locals were all bundled up in jackets and scarves. After while, my blood thinned out, and I noticed the cold winter temps, but it took a couple of years. 🙂
Oh that’s absolutely the case Sylvia. We sometimes watch in shock and horror as vacationers from up North will actually wade into the ocean while we shiver just looking at them.
We also used to live in a colder climate but don’t think we could survive it now. 🙂
I used to wear slip slops (mainly South African terminology, I think) a lot, but now prefer ones with no thong and a single adjustable strap over the arch of the foot.
I went running barefoot in midwinter in UK during our visits, though. It was easier than gumboots.
Oh, you’re so brave, Col. I can almost hear the mud squelching between your frozen toes. 😯
It is one of those things that is really lovely when you stop.
LIke Dianne Gray we used to call them thongs, too. My mom lived in them and nothing else even in the middle of the winter in Indiana. I don’t own a pair believe it or not. I can’t stand the feel.
I love the feeling of freedom they give my feet. Hate having to wear proper shoes. 🙂
I hate wearing shoes, period. I like socks, and in the summer no shoes. I wear sandals when I walk, but I just can’t do flip flops.
Lucky you to have a flip-flop season all year round. I’m jealous because I don’t own flip-flops anymore:-)
Yes we are very lucky with our warm weather. I couldn’t imagine wearing flip-flops in your winter temperatures.
Hope all is well with you!
2 pairs to your 17 tally Sylvia !
But tell me ..why do so many people lose just ONE flip flop at the sea side … most beach combing sessions turn up endless flip flops with no partners 😉
This is very true. I’ve also seen odd flips, flopped down on the sand. I still have more pairs in South Africa. 🙂
Funny, I never thought of the ancient Egyptians as wearing flip flops, but of course they did! What else would you call them? Great post, Sylvia!
Thanks so much, Naomi. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Hi Sylvia,
Hope all is well with you! Lovely interesting post as always.Flip flops always a treat to wear and have, probably the most comfy shoes of all.
Take care and regards,
GAIL
Thanks for your comment, Gail. I so agree with you. 🙂
Pingback: Sunday Stills, the next challenge: The Letter F | Nola Roots, Texas Heart
I love my flip flops… when one side breaks you just take another that is ok… the mixing of colours only upsets Linda… nobody has ever stopped me to ask if I knew I had two different colours on… lol
That’s so funny, bulldog. I haven’t ever broken one yet, but I suppose there’s always a first time.. 🙂
That sure is one big flip flop Sylvia! 😀
I love sandals and flip flops. Thanks for sharing hon and have a great day. *hugs*
Yes it is rather huge. I think most South Africans live in sandals and flip-flops. 🙂 xx
Hi Sylvia, I’ve got about 6 pairs of flip flops! In Oz, we call them thongs.
I have some good ones and then the trusted old cheap ones for going out the front and back door. I love the photo of these ones very much! Hugs Paula xxxx
Hi, Paula. Yes, I also like to have a wide choice, but have my favourite pair of Havaianas which I wear all the time at home. Hugs to you too. 🙂
Blue flip flops on my feet as I write this. I only wear them at home, though, as I can’t drive with them on. I remember the “shoes”, made of car tyres that the Africans used to wear. Don’t see those any more.
Glad you also like them. Maybe they only wear designer sandals these days. Car tyres are too expensive. 🙂
I used to only wear flip flops but now I have only three pairs, all fit flops from the UK and one pair of ordinary flip flops for gardening.
I have some fit flops in SA, but don’t like them very much. I can’t imagine gardening in flip flops. Be careful with the spade. 🙂
The more, the merrier, as I’m usually missing one of the mates!
I agree, “the more the merrier.” 🙂
I have lots of flip flops ~ tan, black, zebra striped, navy, brown. And they are my favorite go to shoes!
Sounds just perfect to me, Nancy. 🙂
It’s good to know it’s warm enough elsewhere to wear flip-flops. My Sunday Still for F was Frozen!
Thanks for giving us a bit of the history of flip-flops – I had no idea that they are old enough to be revered; or that they come with heels for that matter! 🙂
Always warm enough here for sandals. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the bit of history. The ones with heels probably couldn’t be classed as flip-flops; more open sandals with a thong between the toes. 🙂
I wore my flip flops today after a pedicure but shivered until I could put my socks on. 🙂 It’s cold!
Socks after a pedicure are not a good thing at all. 🙂
You would think we already knew that, wouldn’t you? Thanks for posting! 🙂
Hahaha. You’re so welcome. 🙂
Very cool! I used to wear them all the time in South Africa- my husband hated them because of the flip flop sound while walking
Well it can drive me mad too, if I’m walking behind someone whose flip-flops are quite loud.I think they vary. 🙂
Not very much, depends on the person’s weight also!
I have two pairs. In Australia we call them ‘thongs’ – but this has a different meaning in other parts of the world 😉
I have at least 17 pairs of those too. 😀
I have two pair – one black & own brown. If we had more than one week of summer here – I’d probably have more. 😉
Yes, I sympathise with you, RoSy. 🙂
I used to like wearing flip-flop but I think they are slippery especially when wet. In the dusty area, you feet can get a bit dusty as well.
This is true, YC. I have worn them all around NYC though, and my feet didn’t get too dusty. 🙂
I prefer boat shoes.
You’re killing me with the warm weather imagery.
So sorry, El G. 🙂
I have three pairs, of the beach casual style – oh no, make that two pairs because my favourite ones bit the dust last summer. I was very sad. I wear them a lot of the time in the summer, including indoors as my ‘slippers’. I thought owning three pairs at once was quite a luxury, but as you have 17 pairs, I don’t feel quite so bad! 🙂
Hahaha. My shoe cupboard almost rivals that of Imelda Marcos. 🙂
It must be a magnificent sight! 🙂
What a fascinating post about flip-flops! I have never owned any as I hate the way they rub between my toes, I used to wear clogs, then Greek leather sandals and more recently Birkenstocks!
Glad you enjoyed the flip-flop post, Jude. I once had clogs; wooden ones, but they ended up in the hearth with pot plants in them. 🙂
I love that flip flop, so summery so sunny! Will get some whenever I come to Florida…one day ! 🙂
Great! I hope you do make it to Florida one day, Ute. 🙂
I hope too 🙂
Love this shot Sylvia! I think that flip flops have definitely become more popular in the UK as a lot of people wear them as soon as things warm up! I can’t wear them all the time time due to a foot problem I developed a couple of years ago ( which is now resolved but don’t want a repeat!) so I just wear them around the house in the summer, or at the beach of course!
Thanks, Sherri. Yes, not everyone can wear such open shoes all the time. My feet just happen to dislike closed toe shoes.
Don’t blame them 🙂
Can’t stand the thong between my toes – but I admire this terrific version 🙂
Thanks, Meredith. I think one gets used to wearing them, and they don’t rub after a while. I never have that problem .
It’s just a ‘thing’, isn’t it? I can’t stand the other ‘thongs’ either! 🙂
I live in them! (except when it snows 🙂 )
Why am I not surprised, Jo. 🙂
On the note of Egyptian murals, I wondered the same when I was a kid. Always noticed the flip flops before the regal garments 😀
I’m also a shoe person, Andy. 🙂
Love it and two days and counting until we are in the Caribbean!!! Woo Hoo!
How exciting for you, Cindy. Have fun. 🙂
I don’t have any since I don’t like the way the thing rubs between my toes. 😦
But I love the sign for the restaurant.
Thanks, Gunta. i suppose you either love ’em or hate ’em, and I love ’em. 😉
If I remember right, they’re rather good to the budget, so good for you! I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’m more the Crocs sort! 😉
Not to worry. I still love you. 😀
I own several, but my favorites are a pair of light blue ones that are no longer available and it’s killin’ me! I live in those things come summer and sometimes even wear them around the house in the winter. Ridiculous, I know. But it brings a little summer my way, when summer is way down the road. 😦
Interesting info. Pretty flippity flop. 😉
Thanks, Gemma. I normally won’t buy sandals that don’t have the toe thong thingy, and even shoes must have peep-toes for my big toes. Only my trainers are allowed to have covered toes. 🙂
Fascinating!
Thanks, Paula. 🙂
I think I have two pairs! Quite funny actually, at my old uni in the north east of England it is actually fashionable to wear shorts, gilets and flipflops…. Even in the snow!
Now I think I would draw the line at wearing them in the snow, but maybe if I were younger, I might be tempted to keep up with the fashion. 🙂