Spring and summer heat usuallyencourages people to wear less clothing on their bodies, as well as their feet.
Although many types of sandals canbe seen on a daily basis, flip-flops are the most common choice of footwearamong men and women across America.
Flip-flops are basically backlesssandals with a thong strap between the first and second toe. They can be worn anywhere and come in avariety of styles.
“I have at least ten pair of flip-flopsthat I wear everyday to school,” said Crystal Williams, a freshman majoring inbusiness management from Baton Rouge.
Flip-flops have been worn forthousands of years. They were originally created in ancient Japan about 9,000years ago and were called zori.
According to History.Com, zori wereeither made of wood, vinyl or straw and had a flat bottom. Usually worn byGeishas, Japanese royalty, they were normally black or red and worn on specialoccasions.
Another type of early Japaneseflip-flops that women wore with their kimonos were called geta. Geta had a small heel and are thoughtto be the basic model for the flip-flops that are worn today.
In the 1970’s the foam and plasticversion of flip-flops came on the scene.
They were made popular by surfersand beach goers in California. Plastic flip-flops offered a more functionalshoe option for surfers.
It was easy for them to slip theirfeet in the flip-flops after they came out of the water.
Today flip-flops come in a widevariety of colors, materials and designer labels. Labels such as Bebe, Guess,
The Gap and Old Navy marketflip-flops ranging in prices between seven and 40 dollars.
Flip-flops with stiletto and kittenheels were also introduced by the fashion world this season.
“I think the flip-flops with theheels on them are very cute,” said Jameika Bone a senior Mass Communicationsmajor from Birmingham, Ala., They come in very handy when I want my outfits tolook less casual and more fashionable.”
Flip-flops are an essential additionto any summer or spring wardrobe.
