Judging by the number of blogs on men in flip flops, there is a universal school of thought that a male's feet are far too unpleasant to be exposed in public. Unless there is a very good reason for the stark sight of the masculine toe to ruin people's pavement eye levels, uncontained feet ought to be kept to polluting the nation's beaches. Wearing sandals with socks still has to be the biggest street crime, but baring ungroomed feet in cheap flip flops should surely carry some kind of community service.
Flip Flops on Women More Acceptable
One of the nicest things about Summer is the sight of a stream of women with beautifully manicured feet, showing off their polished toenails in a variety of classic feminine styles. It is an accepted norm that the female of the species can flip flop her way around a variety of places, and even at work. There is no social stigma or disapproving double take unless you are about to have a photograph taken with the President of the United States.
Flip Flops on Men Reflects Slobbish Attitude
George Frazier, fashion columnist for Esquire Magazine, once said: "Wanna know if a guy is well dressed? Look down." It is true that flip flops on men give signals, rightly or wrongly, about his social status and attitude in a way that does not apply to women. However, if weather and leisure dictates that a man should opt for a pair of shorts and some air in his shoewear, then it makes lifestyle choices for the male that much harder when this is not the acceptable norm.
The Rise of the FitFlop
So what is the chosen summer footwear for the male who wants to be comfortable but is too self-conscious to be ridiculed silently by the passing fashion police? The rise of the fit-flop has seen millions of women flock to buy this toning "supersandal", and now there is a male version out. Apparently, it is meant to be footwear with a gym built in, but surely the real man would prefer to go to the gym rather than flounce around in a fashion-conscious, albeit medically certified, pair of sandals?
Shoes Really Do Make the Man
In recent years, there has been a backlash against the metrosexual male. Advertising expert Rose Cameron, of the Leo Burnett agency, said that if anything, the revolt against flip-flops is a sign of men "trying to regain their sense of power in this shifting world" and refusing to be perceived as pretty boys.
“Let's be honest here,” Cameron said. “The flip-flop is a frivolous piece of footwear with no substantive purpose in life [other] than as slip-and-go footwear. It's not a performance piece of footwear, and shoes really do make the man."
If a man, metrosexual or otherwise, really wants to slip on the flip flop, then some of the most most simple advice does not go amiss. And if modern man really thinks he is missing out on a whole lot of foot freedom, then maybe the wise words of Keisha Whitaker, wife of actor Forest, should suffice: " I wear flip flops to the beach not to lunch."
