It is now officially summer and that means the masses have traded their Uggs and rain boots for the classic summer shoe: flip flops. I will confess my unpopular opinion: I dread this time of year for this reason.

I wasn’t always anti-flip flop. In high school I wore them year-round. Rain, shine, sleet and snow. Sometimes socks with slip-on Adidas sandals. I even wore white flip flops to my junior prom.

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It all changed when I decided to wear flip flops on the first nice day of spring. I was on my way to class and walking down the stairs in my dorm when my ‘flop got caught on a step, causing me to tumble down a few, then I looked down and saw a chunk of my toe missing and blood everywhere. I still shudder at the traumatic event.

I have avoided flip flops ever since and have encouraged others to do the same. I’m not a podiatrist, but maybe I should be one. Here’s why I avoid this evil type of footwear.

They are dangerous. What if you step on glass or a nail? What if street debris flies up onto your foot? What if you mess up your footing and lose your shoe off a train platform? These are not unreasonable worries. Plus, blisters.

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Even bedazzled, they do not belong at work. They are casual shoes meant for the beach or going to and from the gym. I know people will disagree with me, but hearing the namesake sound flipflopflipflop down the hall screams, “I don’t care enough to wear real shoes!” Flip flops have their place. At the beach, in a dorm shower and taking the garbage out.

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Flip flops offer little support to your feet. Podiatrist Liz talking again. Unless you’re buying orthopedic flip flops, they’re probably sheets of foam with no arch. That can’t be good.

They don’t look that great. Have you ever lusted over a pair of flippy floppies? Probably not.

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Just a few days ago I found myself waiting in line to pay for two pairs of flip flops for $5 at Old Navy. What?! I can’t turn down a bargain, and I will be toting those bad boys to the beach in a few weeks.

Author

Liz Witter is a 2011 graduate of St. Bonaventure University where she majored in broadcast journalism with a (useless) minor in French. She is originally from Rochester, NY but moved to Boston for a job...then another job. She spends her free time sleeping, going to Sephora or doing crafts. She plays volleyball recreationally and refuses to believe she peaked in high school. She’ll take Tim Hortons over Dunkin, and Wegmans over basically anything. You can follow her on Twitter at @lwitta6.

3 Comments

  1. I’ve always hated flip flops, I have no clue why though. The only time I’ve worn them has been in dorm showers and to the beach lol

  2. Yup no one needs to see that much of your foot….especially at work. Companies need to set the standard, not for millennials but for those older folks with corns, calluses and all that other nasty shit on their feet.

  3. Cherryblueberrymom Reply

    Oh please! Flip-flops are the footwear of freedom! Did you ever stop to think that it’s not NATURAL for your foot to be JAMMED into a shoe? Once you get used to that delicious feeling of freedom, it’s hard to give it up. But yes…you should make sure your feet are presentable…pedicured, etc…and no flippies to work (unless you’re a lifeguard.)!

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