Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals are believed to be the inspiration for the flip flop. Traditional Japanese sandals were used because it was common to leave shoes outside, sandals were convenient to slip on and off and sandals are economic shoes. In the 1930s Japanese sandals were used as beach wear in New Zealand. In the Indian culture the flip-flop was called the chappal and in the heat of an argument the wearer would pull off their sandal and deploy it as a weapon. Ancient pictures of the Egyptians show shoes on their feet that are close to the design of a flip flop.
Today, flip flop sandals, you see them every where and that is a sign that the cold winter days are over and spring is here. Women are having pedicures getting ready to show off those toes after a long winter in snow boots and winter shoes. Flip flop sandals come in so many varieties of style, height, material, and design that there is something for everyone and every occasion.
The most popular Rocket Dog sandal is the Jumbo Surf which is only available from a select few retailers. The Rocket Dog Reflex was a great hit but it is no longer in production and replaced by the Sunset which is similar and available in a variety of colors. Also very popular is the Rocket Dog Crush which is a wedge flip flop sandal.
Other popular brands are Nomad flip flops and Groove sandals. The Nomad sandals include Tide, Wave, Pancho and Bomba. Groove has given us Chasista, Pacifica, and Kariya. Daffodils and James Oliver X-It have flip flop sandals with great designs and patterns such as the Daffodils Sparky and the X-IT James Oliver Happy. Ocean Minded and Terra Plana sandals are eco-friendly companies that have a wonderful selection of casual sandals and beach shoes. Terra Plana Dopie is a new innovative design that is sure to puzzle some and delight others. Ocean Minded women’s sandals are definitely a beach lovers dream with designs like Laguna and Twilight.
There is an extensive collection of Yellow Box sandals and flip flops. The Yellow Box Jello, Flight, Bungalow and Marie are a few of the rhinestone encrusted sandals that give just enough bling to make them dress sandals. The Yellow Box Blair, Bubble, Dotty Dot, Jelly Been and Salute sport polka dots in different sizes and colors to make the casual flip flop sandal fun. Yellow Box Burst, Titan, Fickle, Lois S, and Spritz feature animal prints to bring out the wild side of the wearer.
Sandals may have come to be because they were economic shoes but now they are a must have for everyone. Flip flop sandals are no longer just for slipping on to take out the trash or to pick up the paper, you will see the flip flop used as wedding sandals and dress sandals. Shoe designers have taken the basic flat sandal and have added height in the form of platforms, wedges, and kitty heels. Embellishments of rhinestones, sequins, embroidery, silk screened designs, and metal studs have been added to decorate uppers of leather, webbing, canvas, rubber, satin, and fabrics.