‘Flip-flops’ or ‘flip flops’ are a category of footwear that is a very popular lifestyle choice in the hotter environments. They are also known as sandals and get called chancla in Mexico, ‘thongs’ in Australia, and jandals in New Zealand.
The flip-flops originated in and can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where depictions of sandals with a simple thong between the big and second toes have been found on artifacts. Similar sandals were also used in early Greece and Rome. These early versions were often made from natural materials like papyrus, palm leaves, or sometimes from leather. In Asia, traditional sandals that look like flip-flops have been worn for several centuries. In Japan, for example, what is called the “zori” is a flat and thonged sandal worn with traditional clothing. In India, the “paduka” is a type of wooden sandal with a post that separates the big toe. The use of the flip-flops gained popularity in the Western world after of World War II. The soldiers returning from the Pacific brought back the wearing zori or thonged sandals they were exposed to. The modern day rubber flip-flop we are all familiar with today started to became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The transition from natural materials to rubber made flip-flops more economical and comfortable. In South America, Brazil played a significant role in popularizing flip-flops, particularly the brand Havaianas which were introduced in the 1960s. Havaianas revolutionized the market with their bright colorful designs and comfortable rubber-like soles. In the latter part of the 20th century, the flip-flops evolved from casual beachwear to become a global fashion item. Many designers began creating more stylish and upscale versions of the flip flops, and celebrities started wearing them in various settings.
Despite being popular, flip-flops have faced some criticism for potential health and safety issues. The prolonged use of flip-flops without any arch support in those who are vulnerable can lead to foot problems. The toes do need to claw to help keep them on the foot may also lead to issues over the long term. There are also health and safety laws and regulations against there use in some workplace settings as they offer no protection to the foot from accidental trauma. This issue led some brands, eg the Archies Footwear (in Australia) and Oofos (in the USA) to develop versions of flip-flops that have arch support built into them. These Archies and Oofos have proved to be popular and are spreading internationally. Athletes are starting to use these types of footwear for recovery after hard workouts. The wide range of colors that they come in is starting to tap into the fashionable section of the market.
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