Flip-flops were patented in 1957, deriving their name from the noise they make as you “flip-flop” down the street. Soldiers abroad in World War II picked up on the fashion and brought it back to the States. Today, they have evolved into a fashion seen on the streets of Asia to the runways of Milan.

There are a hundred and one ways I could describe my love for flip-flops. I’ve been wearing them since I was a tiny girl, and ever since high school I have rarely been seen without them. Rain or sun, I’m wearing flip-flops. At last count, I owned at least 19 pairs.

My interest in flip-flops stems from a love for the freedom that they give my feet as well as their versatility. They come on and off easily, allowing me to show off weekly pedicures and run around barefoot. Flip-flops are probably the cheapest available shoe on the market, coming in a variety of styles and colors. They can match anything I am wearing, regardless of the color.

I’ve received questioning looks on days when its pouring rain and I’m wearing flip-flops. But its really not that weird at all. I hate getting my shoes wet. Flip-flops dry easily in an hour, a much shorter time period than the requisite machine drying, blow-drying, air drying process I undertake every time I make the mistake of wearing shoes in the rain. In addition, I don’t understand why it’s not a trend among everyone who prefers to avoid the discomfort of rain boots. What people don’t stop to think about is the amount of air that flows through one’s feet when wearing flip-flops; this cuts down on Athlete’s Foot, a bacteria which grows on damp feet.

Eve Denton

The biggest complaint I hear about flip-flops is their lack of support. Recently, brands such as Chaco and Rainbow have created flip-flops that have better arch support than one would find in the average shoe. Old Navy is definitely not the best choice for flat-footed people, but if you have the willingness to spend an extra $30, arch-supporting flip-flops will last for decades and massage your feet.

I try to imagine a world without flip-flops. What instantly pops into my mind is not what I’d be feeling, but rather the bare, unprotected feet of the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who rely solely on flip-flops. Travel to Indonesia or China, rarely will one encounter someone not in flip-flops. Because of their low prices and widespread availability, flip-flops have become a staple of developing countries.

Flip-flops are not just seen on the feet of less fortunate people, but also on the feet of some of America’s trendiest people. They are a staple in California fashion, which is where most trends start. Walking around Santa Monica, it is hard to see someone without their Rainbows or Havianas. Flip-flops are even appearing in the boardroom as they slowly make their way into the business world on the feet of high-powered women. Flip-flops are everywhere.