Sandals resembling the once-popular flip-flops have existed for decades. Although sandals were first documented in Egypt, all ancient cultures had their own version of this footwear.
National Flip-Flop Day is observed on the Wednesday following Memorial Day by displaying your favourite pair of flip-flops. Wear them to the shore, grocery shopping, and even semi-formal dining in a flash! What could be simpler to wear than flip-flops?
Sandals resembling the once-popular flip-flops have existed for decades. Although sandals were first documented in Egypt, all ancient cultures had their own version of this footwear. Ancient Greeks and Romans wore sandals with the strap between the second and third toes, whereas Mesopotamians wore sandals with the strap between the first and second toes and Indian ‘chappals’ had a knob in lieu of the strap. These ancient variants were constructed from a variety of materials, including papyrus leaves, palm fronds, leather, wood, and rice straw.
The modern sandal derives its design from the Japanese ‘zori.’ According to the Encyclopaedia of the History of Japanese Manners and Customs, Japanese infants wore these sandals when learning to walk. As gifts for loved ones, returning Americans brought zori back from Japan at the conclusion of the Second World War.
The prevalence of the current sandal is also owed to the Japanese. During World War II, Japan seized many natural resources in Southeast Asia, including rubber. After their defeat in the conflict, they looked to this resource (and its ability to produce inexpensive but successful clip flops) to bolster their economy.
Over time, natural materials were replaced by synthetic materials, and the style became more contemporary. These new, colourful, fashionable flip-flops became exclusively worn in casual contexts. This humble sandal’s increasing popularity brought it into the mainstream, and it was subsequently worn to semiformal events. Brazil was instrumental in transforming the culture of flip-flops; this economical footwear was so popular there that supermodels and actors wore them on the red carpet!
To commemorate their tenth anniversary, the American restaurant chain Tropical Smoothie Cafe created the unofficial holiday ‘National Flip Flop Day.’ Everyone who enters a participating store donning flip-flops receives a complimentary Jetty Punch Smoothie. The proceeds from these transactions are donated to Camp Sunshine. Based in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine offers children with life-threatening illnesses and their families respite and support.
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Since their inception, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has raised over $3.7 million for Camp Sunshine. In 2015, they raised $1 million.
According to historydaily.org, in 2017 Americans spent over $2.5 billion on flip-flops.
This Brazilian company is one of the most prominent sandal manufacturers in the world, selling over 150 million pairs annually.
Until the 1980s, this sandal was referred to as a ‘thong’ and used interchangeably with the term flip-flops.
These $18,000 flip-flops were painted by the well-known Los Angeles artist David Palmer and feature a hand-crafted 18-karat solid gold Chipkos logo.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 17 | Friday |
| 2023 | May 31 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 29 | Wednesday |
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