June 16, 2005
Flip Flopping: Not Just for Politicians Anymore
(From DCist Contributor Colleen Egan)
With temperatures surging in D.C., it just seems wrong to commute in shoes and socks. But without the proper grooming or sandal choice, you could end up with enough blisters and dirty looks to wish you had never abandoned your Chucks. Let's review the four stages of summer footwear:
- Preparation, or a pedicure;
- Optimism, or high-heeled strappy sandals;
- Defeat, or Band-Aids; and,
- Acceptance, or flip-flops.
Arguably the two most enjoyable stages are one and four, but remember that the pedicure is mandatory, as it's even worse to display feet that haven't been groomed since last summer...or ever. So if you choose to bare your soles (sorry, couldn't resist), support your local nail salon and get a pedicure (we're talking to you, too, gentlemen). Nail salons abound in this area, ranging in price and level of luxe, but this DCist hasn't found a better deal than the $25 manicure and pedicure combo deal on Saturdays at Crystal Beauty in Crystal City. It's a no-frills experience, but at that price, we can forgo the hot towel treatments and espresso.
So, preparation, check. Once you've suffered through the next two stages, or if you've wisely chosen to skip them altogether, you should be ready to embrace the flip flop phase.
Given the plethora of choices on the market, choosing the perfect pair can be daunting. The ideal flip flop should have comfortable straps (preferably not made of plastic or rubber), a thick enough sole to absorb sidewalk shock and just the right amount of "squish." City Sports (1111 19th St. NW) has an impressive selection of flip flops for both men and women, ranging from a suede rendition from The North Face to pink and black polka-dotted satin Reefs to refreshingly old school rubber basics from Puma.
For a more highbrow incarnation of the flip flop, South Moon Under (2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington) features a sleek metallic version from Matt Benson. South Moon Under carries a myriad of choices for the flip-flop-phile, including Juicy Couture's line in outrageous shades of fuchsia and green and decidedly more low-key versions from Rainbow and Havaianas.
What about you? Do you have any flip flop favorites or cheap pedicure suggestions?
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Best thing ever for flip flops: body glide. Originally designed for surfers to help wetsuits slide on, you can buy it at Fleet Feet and EMS - and it will make your summer feet blister free!
If I see one more "fresh-out-of-the-sorority-house" blonde chick wearing flip flops w/ a black suit, I'm going to scream. Where do these girls work?!?!?
A great website for ordering flip flops (thongs) online:
http://www.flipfloptrunkshow.com/index.html
.....and the wedding flip flop:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/uglydress_1840_1868153
...and flip flop coasters for casual dining:
http://mayfairavenue.com/shop/accessories.ctg/flip_flop_coasters.sub/flip_flop_coasters.itm
..and after your third martini...men dressed as flip flops:
http://web.umr.edu/~umrcr/photos/debaterally/bunch%20of%20flip%20flops.jpg
I'll tell you where all those girls work: the Hill. It's just lousy with them. I love flip-flops as much as the next girl, but those hobags are the reason I wear sneakers to work.
Did you just call Hill girls hobags?? I love it!
Too funny: perfect description of the "fresh-out-of-the-sorority-house" chicks wearing the flip-flops with their too tight suits with low-cut blouses. This drives me crazy too! I think you can tell someone's age by the footwear they're wearing on the way to work. Time to grow up and be a little more professional in the real world.
Or maybe for you to move into the old folks home. Is people wearing flip flops really going to ruin the "real world"? I've seen this question raised elsewhere and I can't figure out why some people get so bent out of shape with us flip flop wearing people. Sorry I'm not all up-tight and I'm not trying to climb the ladder. I'd rather just enjoy life and be comfortable. Being professional is fine but if you arent meeting with a client or whatever, who cares.
Where's my bolo tie?
I'm just jealous. While ya'll women get to wear short skirts and flip-flops (or, at worst, strappy shoes) to work all summer, us guys are stuck with regular shoes, long pants, and often a coat and tie.
Aren't the gender iniquities supposed to flow the other way??!!
Yes Michael, but we get to "get funky" in a pair of Dockers on Fridays ...
Guys could wear flip flops on their way to work and then put on real shoes, just like most of those girls are doing. Who needs to be professional for the walk from the metro to the office?
This is so true. This one slobby hill staffer came to a pooled committee hearing in a wrinkled untucked (and barely buttoned) shirt with black pinstriped suit pants and carrying her suitjacket in her grubby little hands. The kicker was her flip flops had made her toes bleed all over Dirksen's floor. And she was flirting with another pubescent staffer the whole time. Honey, that does not make you look cute.
Guys? I've heard of guys getting pedicures, but how many actually do? I don't understand the interest - whats wrong with my clipper?
It isn't really the toenails that are the problem. Pedicures are really preventative medicine. I have seen the feet of seniors. Some, soft as baby's butt, usually those were taken care of. Other, gnarled, yellowish things that could walk through boiling lava and never feel a thing.
Really, start now...aim for baby's butt at 50, 60 and beyond. Besides, pedicures are relaxing.
Girls, if you're old enough to be required to wear a suit to the office, you're old enough to put away the flip flops and bust out the Manolos!!
For the record, you can order chuck taylor one-star sandals over the Web. Used to able to buy them here in the States, but the closest place now is Canada. You can have your cake and eat it too.
All this talk of flip-flops and sandals is seriously turning me on.
Summer - best time of year to be a foot fetishist! It's also a bit torturous, though - all look, no touch. :-(
Flip-flops are meant for the beach and wearing them to work is not only unprofessional but slovenly. Its just not wearing them to work and replacing them with "professional shoes." At my job, most 20-something women wear flip-flops in the office (a large law firm downtown) during business hours.
Its lazy, tacky, and unfashionable DC at its best.
Are we talking wearing sandals TO the office and changing shoes there, or wearing sandals AT the office?
I can deal with girls/guys wearing flip flops or sneakers on the way to the office. But if you flip flop your way into a meeting with sandals and a suit, you look plain ol' silly. In addition, don't yell at me if I accidently step on your exposed toes. Oh...and if you do choose to succumb to this fashion faux pas, be sure to get that yellow, junky stuff out of your toe nails beforehand.
I think one of the things that turns me off about DC the most is the fixation on fashion. Who cares? Why are you looking at my feet? I'm more productive when I'm comfortable than when I'm "proper." And you know what pedicures say to me? This person's priorities are in the wrong place.
DC and "fixation on fashion"?
hahahahaaahhahaahaaa.
hoo. whee.
umm.
yeah.
Flip Flops on the Hill are nothing. When I worked there, I had a coworker (male) show up one day wearing flip flops, his bathing suit and a tee shirt. Yes. A bathing suit. Granted, Congress was out of session, but....
I made allowances for him. He was from Chicago. :::ducking::::