What caused the uproar over Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team wearing flip-flops to the White House. How did this incident highlight generational differences in fashion norms. Why did some defend the athletes’ choice of footwear while others criticized it.
The Flip-Flop Fiasco: When Casual Footwear Met Presidential Protocol
In July 2024, a seemingly innocuous White House ceremony honoring the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team for their NCAA championship victory sparked an unexpected controversy. The culprit? A pair of flip-flops worn by one of the players. This incident ignited a heated debate about dress codes, generational gaps, and the evolving nature of formal attire in American society.
The player in question donned a $16 pair of rhinestone-embellished flip-flops, far from the traditional beach variety. However, this choice of footwear in the hallowed halls of the White House raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging across the nation.
The Players’ Perspective
From the athletes’ point of view, their attire was perfectly appropriate for the occasion. They argued that they had dressed up for their photo opportunity with the president, with neat hair and clean-cut appearances. The flip-flops, in their eyes, were simply a comfortable and fashionable accessory that complemented their overall look.
The Generational Divide
The controversy highlighted a stark generational divide in fashion sensibilities. While older generations viewed the flip-flops as disrespectful and inappropriate for such a formal setting, younger individuals saw them as a perfectly acceptable choice for a celebratory event.
The Evolution of Casual Wear: From Rebellion to Mainstream
To understand the flip-flop controversy, it’s essential to examine the historical context of casual wear and its journey from rebellious statement to everyday attire.
A Century of Fashion Revolution
- 1920s: Flappers scandalized society with above-the-knee dresses and bobbed hair
- 1960s: Miniskirts and go-go boots pushed boundaries
- 1980s: Madonna’s lingerie-inspired looks shocked conservatives
- 1990s-2000s: Casual wear became increasingly acceptable in formal settings
This progression demonstrates how each generation has pushed the envelope of acceptable fashion, often to the chagrin of their elders. The flip-flop incident is merely the latest chapter in this ongoing saga of sartorial rebellion.
The Baby Boomer Factor
Interestingly, some fashion experts point out that baby boomers played a significant role in normalizing casual wear, including flip-flops. Ellen Goldstein, head of the accessories design department at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, noted, “We wore them in the ’60s as a statement. Now, we’re wearing them again as a statement of at-leisure comfort.”
The White House Dress Code: Tradition vs. Modern Comfort
The flip-flop incident brought attention to the White House’s dress code and its relevance in today’s society. The Bush administration was known for its conservative approach to attire, with the president banning jeans and requiring neckties in the Oval Office.
Is Formality Fading?
The incident raised questions about whether respect for formal institutions is waning. Michael Wood, a vice president at marketing firm Teenage Research Unlimited, expressed concern that the casual approach to White House visits might indicate a broader trend of diminishing reverence for national symbols and institutions.
Generation Y: Growing Up in an Informal World
To fully grasp the flip-flop controversy, it’s crucial to understand the context in which Generation Y (born between 1977 and 1994) has grown up.
The Informality Factor
Generation Y has been raised in an increasingly casual environment. Their parents, often baby boomers, grew up wearing blue jeans and have generally been less strict about formal dress codes. This upbringing has shaped their perception of appropriate attire for various occasions.
The Humanization of Authority Figures
Another factor influencing Generation Y’s approach to formality is their exposure to the humanization of authority figures, particularly political leaders. Bruce Tulgan, founder of Rainmaker Thinking, points out that this generation has witnessed the rise and fall of public figures, making them less likely to view such individuals as remote, revered entities.
The Flip-Flop Debate: Comfort vs. Respect
The controversy surrounding the lacrosse team’s footwear choice raises important questions about the balance between personal comfort and showing respect for institutions.
The Comfort Argument
Supporters of the players argue that flip-flops have become a versatile footwear option, appropriate for various settings. Torrey Fazen, a former college lacrosse player, stated, “Flip-flops are comfortable, fashionable and worn everywhere from the beach to the boardroom.”
The Respect Perspective
Critics contend that certain occasions, such as meeting the President of the United States, warrant more formal attire as a sign of respect. They argue that dressing up for such events acknowledges their significance and importance.
The Broader Context: Casual Dressing in American Society
The flip-flop incident at the White House is not an isolated event but part of a larger trend towards casual dressing in American society.
The Casualization of Various Settings
- Air travel: Once a formal affair, now casual attire is the norm
- Sporting events: Formal dress has given way to team jerseys and casual wear
- Religious services: Many churches now offer “come as you are” options
- Workplaces: Casual Fridays have expanded to more relaxed dress codes overall
This shift towards casual attire in various aspects of life has blurred the lines between what is considered appropriate for different occasions.
The Role of Celebrity Culture in Shaping Fashion Norms
Celebrity influence has played a significant role in normalizing casual wear in formal settings. The incident involving President Bush’s daughter, Jenna Bush, wearing black flip-flops to a court appearance in 2001 is a prime example of how high-profile individuals can impact fashion norms.
The Trickle-Down Effect
When public figures, especially those associated with formal institutions, adopt casual styles, it can lead to a broader acceptance of such attire in society. This trickle-down effect often challenges traditional dress codes and pushes the boundaries of what is considered appropriate.
The Future of Formal Wear: Adapting to Changing Times
As society continues to evolve, so too will our understanding of appropriate attire for various occasions. The flip-flop controversy at the White House serves as a catalyst for discussions about the future of formal wear and dress codes in general.
Finding a Middle Ground
Moving forward, it’s likely that we’ll see a continued blending of casual and formal elements in fashion. This may lead to the emergence of new norms that balance comfort and respect for traditional institutions.
The Importance of Context
As dress codes become more fluid, the ability to discern appropriate attire based on context will become increasingly important. This skill will require a nuanced understanding of social cues and the ability to adapt one’s style to different situations.
The Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team’s flip-flop incident at the White House serves as a fascinating case study in the ongoing evolution of fashion norms and societal expectations. It highlights the complex interplay between generational values, changing perceptions of formality, and the role of comfort in modern fashion choices. As we move forward, it’s clear that the debate over appropriate attire for formal occasions will continue to evolve, reflecting broader shifts in American culture and society.
White House footwear fans flip-flop kerfuffle
Back and forth it goes with the tale of the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse players who wore flip-flops to meet the president.
Flip: “Nobody was wearing old beach flip-flops,” said one of the players, who wore a rhinestone-bedecked, $16 pair to a July 12 ceremony at the White House honoring the team for its NCAA championship.
Flop: “Don’t even ask me about the flip-flops,” said her mother. “It mortified me.”
Flip: Everyone was dressed up for their picture with the president. “Their hair wasn’t askew, they were clean-cut kids,” said one fashion expert. “They’re athletes, so the whole concept of casual dressing on the part of athletes dictates that’s the way they should dress.”
Flop: This is the buttoned-down, dignified Bush White House, where the president has forbid jeans and required neckties in the Oval Office and women are instructed to be “appropriately dressed.”
A tradition of breaking with tradition?
The flap is rooted in the same generation gap that almost a century ago — at the very dawn of mass culture — caused elders to be scandalized by the above-the-knee dresses and bobbed hair of 1920s flappers.
From miniskirts and go-go boots in the ’60s to Madonna’s lingerie-wear in the ’80s, it’s a rite of passage for young people to offend grownups — intentionally or unintentionally — with the way they dress. No doubt some of the same baby boomers who rolled their eyes over flip-flops at the White House were once young people who earned parental scorn by making blue jeans into go-anywhere wear.
Said fashion expert Ellen Goldstein, head of accessories design department at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, “It is the baby boomers who really have set the trend when it comes to flip-flops. We wore them in the ’60s as a statement. Now, we’re wearing them again as a statement of at-leisure comfort. Once it becomes a statement of at-leisure comfort, who’s to say I can’t wear them to get married on the beach?”
Or to meet the president?
“It’s a fine line,” Goldstein said. “If it were you or me or any of the rest of the public who were meeting the president — it’s inappropriate.
… But there was nobody there in torn clothes and ratty T-shirts.”
One former college lacrosse player — herself a dedicated flip-flop wearer — shrugs at the whole debate.
“Let’s take the focus off footwear and congratulate these women on winning the national championship and raising the profile of female lacrosse players,” said Torrey Fazen, 27, of Chicago. “Flip-flops are comfortable, fashionable and worn everywhere from the beach to the boardroom.”
Dressing down
The current generation of adolescents and young adults — Generation Y, or those born between 1977 and 1994 — “has grown up in a setting that’s very informal,” said Michael Wood, a vice president at marketing firm Teenage Research Unlimited in Northbrook, Ill. “These are kids whose parents grew up wearing blue jeans. They’re not requiring their kids to dress up.”
Wood and others note that while young people often take any fashion trend to its extreme, they aren’t the only ones dressing down.
“There used to be a day when people dressed up to ride on airplanes, to go to football games,” Wood said. Many churches that were once bastions of formality have added “come as you are” services.
But Wood worries the arrival of flip-flops at the White House is a sign that respect for even the nation’s most sacrosanct institutions is waning.
“Is a trip to the White House special? You would hope that it would be. You would hope that when you were going to meet the commander-in-chief, that it was special enough to get dressed up for,” he said.
Then again, says Bruce Tulgan, founder of New Haven, Conn.-based Rainmaker Thinking, which consults to corporations on attracting and retaining young talent, think about the circumstances in which Generation Y has grown up.
Comfort or rebellion?
“They look at folks in privileged or powerful positions and they’re very familiar that folks get built up and torn down,” he said. Political leaders in particular are no longer remote figures of reverence, but deeply humanized.
College students like the Northwestern players were in elementary school when President Clinton was asked “boxers or briefs?” during a 1994 MTV town hall meeting and responded, “Usually briefs.” They were teenagers when the details of Clinton’s Oval Office sex antics became public knowledge.
And the current president’s daughters are Generation Yers whose youthful indiscretions have made headlines and who teamed up to make a jokey speech at last summer’s Republican National Convention.
In fact, when a 19-year-old Jenna Bush made a court appearance to plead no contest to misdemeanor charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol back in 2001, she wore … black flip-flops.
Rachel Gillman, a friend and colleague of Fazen’s, sees flip-flops as less a statement of rebellion than part of the quest for comfort.
“My generation might be less caught up in the formality of appearance and consciously chooses to dress in a style that suits their personality, style and desired comfort level,” she said.
“(Today’s) youth want to look presentable, but not at the expense of feeling good.”
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It’s summer in Washington. Don’t put your best flip-flop forward.
Abra Belke shudders when she thinks about summer mornings in the Rayburn Building.
“It sounds like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” said the former Capitol Hill staffer and lobbyist. “Interns and junior staffers are just clomping down the hall in their $5 Old Navy flip-flops.”
Flip-flops are a fashion don’t for Belke, who writes the Capitol Hill Style blog. But those Hill aides aren’t the only ones flashing their toes. All across Washington, rising temperatures mean a switch to summer styles. And from shoulders to shoes, it’s a moment that tests what can and can’t be worn at work.
For some HR departments, the change of season — and the arrival of a new batch of interns — is an occasion to send friendly reminders about the dress code, which in this city can come with a level of detail befitting the Federal Register.
Others take the approach of one downtown law and lobby firm, which tells its employees to “use good judgment and taste” when deciding what to wear.
“Oh, yes, we have a dress code,” a neighbor told me with a sigh one morning when we were talking about the move from boots to bare legs.
The two-page memo on appropriate attire at the health association where she works is crystal clear on the flip-flop issue. The “summer casual dress code” that takes effect on Memorial Day expressly forbids “rubber flip-flops or any flip-flop style shoe that is audible (slapping against the bottom of the foot).”
In the seasonal office-appropriate-wardrobe puzzle, it could always be worse, at least according to hushed-office-hall legend. I’m told that one august philanthropic foundation with a big office here goes so far as to pronounce that women may wear shoes with open toes, or with open heels, but not both, but it’s not something the foundation has been willing to discuss.
Of course, written dress codes — and those unwritten customs that can loom just as large — apply to much more than footwear. There are policies on spandex, skirt length, spaghetti straps, even socks (at one accounting firm, the guidelines say men should always wear them ).
In some parts of town, like K Street, there are still plenty of suits and ties.
“In other places, people dress to impress,” one somber-looking influence-industry pro told me last week. But here, “we dress like we’re going to testify.”
Lots of offices have adopted “business casual” as their year-round look, and some of them break that down in remarkable detail. At the accounting firm KPMG, the “appropriate” list includes “gauchos or cropped slacks if worn with jacket or sweater set.”
Interestingly, skorts and culottes don’t make the business-casual cut at one international law firm’s Washington office. According to the written policy, neither does “anything you would wear to the gym, beach, the park or to clean the garage.” Good to know. (At one environmental nonprofit, T-shirts with logos are off-limits, unless the shirt is making an enviro-friendly point.)
In most of these situations, women have more options than men. But that doesn’t mean it’s easier for women — and many of them complain that, from heels to hemlines, that also means they have more rules to follow.
“This button-down shirt was my attempt to make these pants office-appropriate,” a young woman in a pressed pink blouse and straight pants with a pastel geometric print told me as she and a handful of colleagues ate their lunch one sunny afternoon in Farragut Square.
The downtown trade association where they work doesn’t have a written policy, but there are plenty of lines that can’t be crossed. Heels are frequently expected, but no jeans or denim dresses, they said, and, these days, summer dresses need scarves and blazers to make sure they pass muster.
Men can flirt with questionable warm-weather choices, too.
Ivan Adler, a headhunter who places lobbyists for the McCormick Group, an executive search firm, calls his office dress code “situational attire.” For him, that means occasional Hawaiian shirts in summer, worn with chinos. “They’re nothing unbelievably gaudy that would make someone throw up,” he assured me. “They’re nice. They’re silk.”
But the lines can get fuzzy, especially on Capitol Hill, where old traditions die hard and each member can make the rules for his or her staff.
The Washington Post doesn’t have a dress code. But reporters who cover Congress know that things get serious in the Speaker’s Lobby, just off the House floor, where they can ask to speak with lawmakers.
As the congressional “Guide for Reporters” puts it: “Appropriate attire, such as jacket and tie for men, is required at all times in the Speaker’s Lobby.” (For the record, hats are not permitted).
There are no seasonal adjustments and no precise guidelines for women, and, occasionally, a bare shoulder or exposed midriff has caused a bit of a kerfuffle.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, remembers being a staff member on the House Judiciary Committee in 1994, when Rep. Jack Brooks (D-Tex.) was its chairman.
Sloan worked for then-Rep. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and, she said, “I wore pants. I usually do.” But someone who worked for Brooks approached her and said, “The chairman prefers to see women in skirts.
”
She mentioned it to Schumer, and then-Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) overheard the conversation. “In solidarity with you, we should all wear skirts,” Frank quipped. The men didn’t wear skirts, and Sloan didn’t change her style.
At CREW, where she’s in charge, “we’re pretty casual,” Sloan said. “But nobody wears shorts. I think that would be a step too far for me.”
And while she hasn’t opted for a written dress code, she understands why others do.
“My biggest concern has been with interns, who have sometimes come in with remarkably scanty clothes,” she said. (That’s not an uncommon view. Some people really do call them “skinterns.”)
Belke — who has worked for then-Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and the National Rifle Association, but recently moved out of the city to attend law school — said she encourages people who run offices to write down the rules, because it makes it easier to enforce them.
While some of Washington’s written policies can be so precise that they’re silly, it does seem better to be able to say “check the manual” than enter one of those tricky conversations without a bit of paper to point to.
Either way, they’re not easy talks to have. As another working Washington woman put it: “How do you find a delicate way to say, ‘Your skirt is too short?’ ”
Or: “Don’t wear flip-flops, you’re an adult.” The noisy sandals have prompted outrage in the past.
Remember the stir in 2005, when a few members of Northwestern University’s women’s lacrosse team were shod in the rubber sandals during a visit to the White House? But flip-flops are welcome in a few places, including the Washington offices of Quinn Emanuel, a Los Angeles-based law firm where almost anything goes.
These days, Belke says she worries that casual Fridays are emboldening people to wear shorts to work — a no-no in almost any office situation. And she’s had it with people who keep their sunglasses on the top of their head or dangling around their neck, even when they’re not outside. “You’re inside now. You wouldn’t walk around all day wearing your winter coat. You shouldn’t walk around with your sunglasses on.
”
In the great flip-flop debate, some fans say the shoes make sense for summer commuting and can easily be slipped off at work.
But Belke isn’t buying that. There are plenty of alternatives, she said, like simple flats. And she’s had the odd experience of sitting in an office lobby and seeing a Hill staffer return from lunch in a strappy summer dress and flip-flops — and then reemerge for a meeting with a jacket and more proper shoes.
“It’s almost like a superhero changing their clothes.”
Generation goes casual, right down to the toes
Back and forth it goes with the tale of the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse players who wore flip-flops to meet the president.
Flip: “Nobody was wearing old beach flip-flops,” said one of the players, who wore a rhinestone-bedecked, $16 pair to a July 12 ceremony at the White House honoring the team for its NCAA championship.
Flop: “Don’t even ask me about the flip-flops,” said her mother.
“It mortified me.”
Flip: Everyone was dressed up for their picture with the president. “Their hair wasn’t askew, they were clean-cut kids,” said one fashion expert. “They’re athletes, so the whole concept of casual dressing on the part of athletes dictates that’s the way they should dress.”
Flop: This is the button-down, dignified Bush White House, where the president has forbid jeans and required neckties in the Oval Office and women are instructed to be “appropriately dressed.”
The flap is rooted in the same generation gap that almost a century ago – at the very dawn of mass culture – caused elders to be scandalized by the above-the-knee dresses and bobbed hair of 1920s flappers.
From miniskirts and go-go boots in the ‘60s to Madonna’s lingerie-wear in the ‘80s, it’s a rite of passage for young people to offend grownups – intentionally or unintentionally – with the way they dress. No doubt some of the same baby boomers who rolled their eyes over flip-flops at the White House were once young people who earned parental scorn by making blue jeans into go-anywhere wear.
Said fashion expert Ellen Goldstein, head of accessories design department at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, “It is the baby boomers who really have set the trend when it comes to flip-flops. We wore them in the ‘60s as a statement. Now, we’re wearing them again as a statement of at-leisure comfort. Once it becomes a statement of at-leisure comfort, who’s to say I can’t wear them to get married on the beach?”
Or to meet the president?
“It’s a fine line,” Goldstein said. “If it were you or me or any of the rest of the public who were meeting the president – it’s inappropriate. … But there was nobody there in torn clothes and ratty T-shirts.”
The current generation of adolescents and young adults – Generation Y, or those born between 1977 and 1994 – “has grown up in a setting that’s very informal,” said Michael Wood, a vice president at marketing firm Teenage Research Unlimited in Northbrook, Ill. “These are kids whose parents grew up wearing blue jeans.
They’re not requiring their kids to dress up.”
Wood and others note that while young people often take any fashion trend to its extreme, they aren’t the only ones dressing down.
“There used to be a day when people dressed up to ride on airplanes, to go to football games,” Wood said. Many churches that were once bastions of formality have added “come as you are” services.
But Wood worries the arrival of flip-flops at the White House is a sign that respect for even the nation’s most sacrosanct institutions is waning.
“Is a trip to the White House special? You would hope that it would be. You would hope that when you were going to meet the commander-in-chief, that it was special enough to get dressed up for,” he said.
Then again, says Bruce Tulgan, founder of New Haven, Conn.-based Rainmaker Thinking, which consults to corporations on attracting and retaining young talent, think about the circumstances in which Generation Y has grown up.
“They look at folks in privileged or powerful positions and they’re very familiar that folks get built up and torn down,” he said.
Political leaders in particular are no longer remote figures of reverence, but deeply humanized.
College students like the Northwestern players were in elementary school when President Clinton was asked “boxers or briefs?” during a 1994 MTV town hall meeting and responded, “Usually briefs.” They were teenagers when the details of Clinton’s Oval Office sex antics became public knowledge.
And the current president’s daughters are Generation Yers whose youthful indiscretions have made headlines and who teamed up to make a jokey speech at last summer’s Republican National Convention.
In fact, when a 19-year-old Jenna Bush made a court appearance to plead no contest to misdemeanor charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol back in 2001, she wore black flip-flops.
Rachel Gillman, a friend and colleague of Fazen’s, sees flip-flops as less a statement of rebellion than part of the quest for comfort.
“My generation might be less caught up in the formality of appearance and consciously chooses to dress in a style that suits their personality, style and desired comfort level,” she said.
“(Today’s) youth want to look presentable, but not at the expense of feeling good.”
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They flat out work!! I took them fly fishing and just got off the boat today. You wont regret it. I feel like I’m walking on clouds but have the stability I need to do anything!! Thank you FlipRocks for creating these!!
Ben Paquette
I received my shoes today. They are incredible!! I cannot believe the strength of the Velcro! I will definitely be giving them a workout! Thanks!!
Paul
Got mine in today. Wore them all day. Very comfortable and very light. Thanks!!
Rob
Product Review
Product Review
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90,000 Portrait Things: Flip Flops | Fashionobsession blogger on SPLETNIK.
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Last week, as you remember, we got acquainted with the history of the bikini.Today, in continuation of the beach theme, we will talk about flip flops.
Flip-flops, slates or flip-flops are distinguished by the “membrane” between the thumb and forefinger. Japan is considered their homeland, where the traditional national footwear called zori is worn on a cotton sock with a special slot between the toes ( tabi ). Although similar shoe models were in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. The zori migrated to the West in the Second World War in the form of a rubber imitation of these traditional Asian shoes (in Japan, zori are mainly made from plant derivatives: wood, rice straw).
It is known that in 1962, rubber slates began to be produced in Brazil. By the way, it is the Brazilian brand Havaianas that has gained the greatest popularity among both stars and us mere mortals over the past 10 years.
Havaianas first began selling in hot Brazil in 1965 as exclusive footwear for the working class (housewives, vendors and dock workers). By 1994, the company was already selling 70 million pairs a year. Each brand’s advertising campaign is a kind of work of art. “Good when the sun and the sea, and when thunder and snow”
“These sandals are such a hit with the famous and wealthy that we are planning to release a bulletproof version.”
Flip flops, as they are called in America, have become so popular off the beach that in
In 2002, Jean-Paul Gaultier put his models on the catwalk in them, and in July 2005, members of the women’s lacrosse team at Northwestern University even came to the White House to meet with then President George W. Bush in flip flops.By the way, all these flips and flops are not very useful for the stop.
Orthopedists recommend refraining from wearing these shoes for a long time. Yes, and many fashion conservatives, including Tim Gunn, are against flip flops off the beach.
But whether we like it or not, flip flops have migrated from the category of beach shoes to the category of urban ones.
Asia has the largest number of consumers of flip-flops because of the climate, as well as the poverty of a large percentage of the population. But even in the USA “spanking” is loved and appreciated.So much so that Texas hosts the annual Flip Flop Festival in September.
Hollywood stars, although they can afford any Jimmy Choo and Louboutin, also do not mind walking in these democratic shoes:
Blake Lively on the set of “Gossips”
Keith Hudson
Nicole Scherzinger
Kirsten Dunst
Ashley Tizdale
Do you walk around the city in flip flops?
Leave your vote:
90,000 history of origin and production features
There is a city in Russia called Slantsy.
The Polymer plant is located there. When this company released the first pair of flip-flops, the shoe manufacturer indicated the name of the town in which they were made on their soles. Consumers decided that the footwear itself should be called this term – and the name stuck among the people.
It would be more correct to call flip flops flip flops, because this type of footwear is widespread primarily in the Asian region. Traditionally, her thin sole was made of rubber, her heel was open, and a Y-shaped strap passed between her thumb and adjacent toe.
The flip flop category does not include slippers that do not have a bridge between the toes. The shoe can be kept on the foot due to the wide webbing that runs along the entire toe of the foot above the top of the foot. Also, flip-flops should not be called shoes with a dense or two-layer soles.
In English, the term “flip-flops” has become widespread – slippers were nicknamed so for the sound they make when walking.
Oil shale history
The prototype of modern footwear existed in several ancient civilizations at once.The Egyptians in 1500 BC sewed slippers from palm leaves and papyrus. In other African territories, rawhide was used for the production of shale, in Japan and China – rice straw, in India – wood.
Egyptian slates from wood
African slates from leather
Japanese slates from wood
Indian slates from wood
In the Middle East, slippers were sewn from soft fabrics and worn not on the street, but at home.At first, the comfort of these slippers was appreciated by the slaves in harems, and then the sultans adopted this style of shoes from them. Shale reached Europe only in the Middle Ages and at first were also perceived as house slippers. Over the years, they have been improved so that slates are also suitable for wearing outdoors.
The Japanese were the first to learn how to create slates from synthetic materials.
There is evidence in history that in the middle of the twentieth century, an entrepreneur from New Zealand, whose name was Morria Yok, visited Japan.The slates made such a strong impression on him that upon returning home in 1957, together with his son, he opened the production of similar shoes. It was thanks to the Yock family that the shale reached Europe. And in New Zealand, National Slipper Day is annually celebrated on December 2.
The Americans borrowed shale from the Koreans. After the end of the Korean War, all of California changed into bright, durable and comfortable slippers. Such shoes fit perfectly into pop culture and quickly moved beyond the beaches.
Actress Jennifer Aniston in slates, 1999
In 2005, the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team arrived at the US White House in flip-flops – and then sold them on eBay for $ 1,653 a couple to raise funds for the treatment of a cancer patient. This caused an ambiguous reaction in society – and finally secured the status of an integral part of modern Western culture for shale.
In 2011, Barack Obama became the first US president to be officially photographed wearing shale (this happened during his stay in Hawaii).
Former US President Barack Obama in Shale
Among the famous supporters of shale, the Dalai Lama should also be mentioned. The spiritual leader of Tibet travels in such shoes around the world and wears them to meetings of the highest level, including with heads of state.
Dalai Lama XIV in shale
Manufacturing technology
The sole of the slates can be either flat or grooved. Most often it is made of rubber or polyurethane. For the beach, slippers with a breathable non-slip sole are optimal.For everyday wear, you can choose a model with an orthopedic or massage insole. For the manufacture of the upper part, suede, leather, plastic, rubber, textiles are used. Many manufacturers create new shoes from their own recycled ones and encourage buyers to hand over used slates in exchange for a discount or other bonuses.
Slides with grooved rubber sole
For an urban environment, slates on the sole made of cork or bamboo are optimal, with a wide solid lintel passing along the cape of the foot.
The most pragmatic choice for the top in this case would be fabric, suede, leather, or a combination of these materials.
The most famous brands
The Brazilian brand Havaianas, owned by Alpargatas, is best known internationally. They went on sale in 1962 and became so popular that in Spanish they began to call any slippers “hawayans” in principle. However, the prototype for them was not at all traditional Hawaiian shoes, but Japanese dawn sandals, whose sole is decorated with a pattern of rice grains.
Havaianas Slides
While Havaianas are primarily associated with beach sandals, one of the main brands in the casual slate segment is the German Birkenstock with an orthopedic insole and a distinctive pair of straps. Lovers of sustainable footwear are happy to buy PaperFlops slates, which are made from rubber, palm fibers, coconut shells and even old newspapers. The strength of such slates is given by the impregnation of moisture-proof varnish.
Birkenstock Slides
Very high quality and at the same time affordable slates can be found in the assortment of adidas, Diesel, Lacoste, Roxy, Quicksilver, Vans.
Models of a higher price category and with a more sophisticated design can be found at Kenzo, Missoni, Moschino, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood.
adidas Slides
Diesel Slides
Quicksilver Slides
Vans Slides
Stella McCartney Slides
Vivienne Westwood Slides
However, in addition to well-known brands, such shoes are produced in many small, sometimes unnamed workshops.Therefore, it is almost impossible to calculate the volume of annual oil shale sales worldwide. In 2009, the American company Flip Flop Shops estimated the estimated volume of this market segment at $ 20 billion. In 2006, slates allegedly surpassed sneakers in terms of sales for the first time. This statistic seems quite plausible given that slates are much cheaper than running shoes – and they are sold, among other things, in vending machines installed at airports and other tourist attraction centers.
90,000 10 great athletic shoe brands you’ve never heard of
Athletes find it difficult to resist the temptation to constantly buy new, beautiful sneakers that will allow them to beat all kinds of marathons, be it a popular brand or completely unknown to anyone.
Still, it’s worth noting and considering that there are other lesser-known athletic shoe brands that are dedicated to helping athletes of all levels reach their potential, whether it’s on the soccer field or the tennis court.We decided to give you a little inspiration to give these newbies a little chance by compiling a list of athletic shoe brands that will surprise you somewhat with quality, design and manufacturing details. Meet 10 great shoe brands you’ve (probably) never heard of.
Brand: Topo Athletic
Category: Running, training
The brand was the idea of the former head of Vibram – Tony Post. Topo Athletic is a brand that specializes in split-toe footwear.Launched in 2013 with a unique design, the brand is inspired by natural movement. Post was well versed in this type of shoe thanks to his experience with the Vibram FiveFinger. Topo shoes are not designed for all runners, but if you usually run PureProject Brooks or the aforementioned Vibram FiveFingers, then this is a great option, comparing the models you will hardly notice the difference.
Brand: Munich
Category: Running, football, futsal, handball
Munich may be a newcomer to the US market, but the Spanish footwear company has been known to players in numerous sporting events including soccer, futsal, golf and even running.The brand offers an eclectic collection of high-quality footwear with a trendy, cutting-edge approach – the most popular models fall under the Futsal category. Whether you’re playing street football or working out professionally in the gym, Munich’s X shoes combine technological advancements in both performance and style to create a comfortable, durable shoe.
Brand: Peak Sports
Category: Basketball, running, football, tennis
Peak Sports is one of the leading athletic shoe brands in Asia and is growing rapidly around the world, especially in the basketball world.In the states, Peak has been supported by the robust stability of NBA athletes, including: Tony Parker, Ron “Meta World Peace” Artest, Shane Battier, Kevin Love, Carl Landry and many more.
Initially, the brand did not plan to sell for a long time in the sports footwear industry, however, with the opening of its organization in Los Angeles a few years ago, Peak changed plans and decided to stay for a while.
Brand: Power Footwear
Category: Running, training, walking, basketball, football
The
Power Footwear, also known as Nike of Canada, has all the strengths of a variety of sports, including running, training, soccer, basketball, tennis and hiking, but that doesn’t stop the brand.Power even offers its effective footwear in other sports such as cheerleading and ice skating. The only drawback? Despite its North American roots, Power has very limited inventory in the US market. In other words, getting a pair of these sneakers won’t be that easy.
Brand: APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs)
Category: Basketball
“Stop dreaming.
Jump higher. ” is the mantra of the brand APL Athletic Propulsion Labs, which is often preached to ballerinas who need extra jumps through the spring-loaded front.Unfortunately, the NBA banned players from buying these shoes for several years because of the obvious “unfair competitive advantage.” Nonetheless, APL has gotten its fair share of notoriety and still arms the feet of today’s basketball giants with Load ‘N Lock sneakers.
Brand: Topper Sports
Category: Football, rugby, tennis
Topper shoes first came to our attention at the US Open in 2013. On closer inspection, however, the brand reaches the limits of the tennis world.Topper Brazil offers an extensive line of athletic footwear for sports games such as football and rugby and tennis.
Brand: Inov-8
Category: Running, training
Perhaps the Inov-8 brand is one of those athletic shoe brands that have received the most coverage over the years.
Inov-8 is a dedicated running brand dedicated to helping consumers conquer the off-road trail. Recently, Inov-8 has been able to expand its qualifications with a recently released collection of shoes targeted at CrossFit athletes.
Brand: Joma
Category: Running, football, tennis
The Spanish sports brand Joma has a large fan base of athletes and footballers, especially internationally. Joma pimples have been featured on some of the largest sporting marathons, fields in the world, and smaller ones like handball.
Brand: Ektio
Category: Basketball
The
Ektio makes decent basketball shoes, mainly a specialized brand dedicated to the sneaker shape functions.Designed to treat ankle injuries (a common injury in basketball). The Ektio is nonsense in the basketball shoe world that has redefined the core elements of shoe support.
Brand: Warrior
Category: Football, lacrosse, training
The Warrior brand is primarily the creator of lacrosse and hockey shoes, but has expanded significantly in the football market in recent years.
Warrior made a big name for himself in the sportswear industry in 2012 by becoming an Official Kit Sponsor for the Liverpool Football Club, and has continued to expand its footwear business ever since with an impressive collection of spiked and running shoes.
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90,000 Read Happy Girls Don’t Die – Jessica Knoll – Page 13
Nell leaned across the table, placed her bitten fingers in my palm and pushed a plump pea into it, leaving a blue mark on my skin. I humbly accepted my penance, washed down with tomato juice and vodka.May I not be able to whitewash my old name, may no one believe me, but I will not leave stone unturned by the assertion that I am nothing more than a fat, angry pig from the slums.
The pill left an aftertaste similar to the smell of money – dusty, tart, and I was strengthened in the belief that, only having justified myself, I would get a chance for the future.
Chapter 4
I was only at Bradley for a week, and I had to completely update my wardrobe, except for the fancy orange pants from Abercrombie & Fitch, which Hilary approved.I imagined how she looked around my room, spoke approvingly of my “average” wardrobe and suddenly, looking at a stack of slacks, notices a bright orange spot, teasing, like a tongue hanging out. “Do you like them? I would say. – Take it! I give! ”
My mother and I went to the mall and bought two hundred dollars worth of coarse knit sweaters, then went to the lingerie store, where I picked up a bunch of colorful T-shirts with hidden chest support. Mom advised me to wear them under my clothes to disguise my plump tummy.Finally, we ran into the shoe department and bought wedge slippers, exactly the same as those from my fellow practitioners, fans of vegetable rolls. When walking, the slippers smacked deafeningly, lagging behind bare heels. “It would be my will – I would smear them with glue,” complained one teacher to another.
I begged my mother for a chain with a pendant from “Tiffany” for a long time to finish my shopping trip with dignity, but she said that dad would rip her head off.
“Maybe for Christmas,” she reassured. – If you study well.
Having updated my wardrobe, I started thinking about my hair. All my paternal relatives are purebred Italians, but thanks to my mother’s roots, I have a little Irish blood in me. Hilary, evaluating my natural hair color, came to the conclusion that they can be lightened a little. She gave me the phone number of her hairdressing salon, and my mother signed me up for painting to the cheapest master. We had to go almost all the way to Philadelphia, on the way we got lost and were twenty minutes late, which the salon administrator reminded us of the broken three times.I was worried that because of being late I would not be accepted, but after all, we, after all, arrived at the BMW, and that means something, right?
Fortunately, the hairdresser found the strength to forgive us for being late and colored my strands straw, orange and white, leaving the roots dark.
I looked like I hadn’t gone to a hairdresser in months. Mom, without waiting for my hair to be dried and styled, threw a huge scandal, after which these hackers made us a discount. At the corner store, we bought the usual twelve dollar light brown hair dye, which gave my badly but expensively lightened strands a chic golden tint.However, it faded to a worn copper color as quickly as my high school popularity. It even seemed logical to me that I stopped being the perfect blonde just when I stopped being considered a popular girl.
Despite my sympathy for Olivia and Hilary, they were still on their guard. Therefore, I did not stick my head out, speaking to them, only if they did not speak to me first – usually in passing in the corridor. They had not yet invited me to their table, and there was no question of spending the weekend together.I did not tempt fate. I understood that I was going through a probationary period, and I was patient.
In the meantime, I was hanging out with Arthur and his company – not a bad company, I must say.
Arthur stuffed us with selected gossip. Somehow, he was always aware of the latest events that he was not supposed to know about. It was Arthur who rang about how Chauncey Gordon, a thorny nine-grader with a haughty smile, got drunk at one of the parties and wet herself when the school president began to pester her.Teddy was at that party, but even Teddy was completely unaware of the incident. Teddy was a blond athlete with a characteristic blush all over his cheek and an overseas tan straight from Madrid, where he was vacationing in a prestigious sports camp for tennis players. In Bradley, they played European football and idolized football players, and no one cared about tennis players. Still, I suspected that if Teddy had to push, and he would have found himself at the same table with the Uplands, but his current situation was fine. Arthur had been friends with Teddy, Sarah and Shark for several years, and neither sudden obesity (“He was not always so fat,” Shark whispered to me when Arthur went to get the supplement), nor the acne that crowns his forehead, could not deprive him of his place at their table.In my opinion, it was very touching.
Then the Shark enlightened me that you can get exemption from physical education lessons by enrolling in the sports section. None of the lovers of vegetable rolls went to physical education, and I hated these forty minutes with all my heart.
– There is one drawback – you will have to go in for sports, – said Shark, mistakenly assuming that I support her opinion that constant training is worse than physical education lessons.
I played field hockey with the nuns, although I didn’t show much interest in the sport.However, I am the only girl who enjoyed running cross-country. I was never the first, but it seemed that I could tirelessly wind circles (my mother claimed that her endurance was passed on to me), so I decided to go jogging on rough terrain and joined the school team. The fact that the team was coached by Mr. Larson had nothing to do with the case. Not the slightest.
I was eager to start training as soon as possible to lose weight. I flirted recklessly with Liam, and my slimmer waist could speed things up.Liam played lacrosse, but it is usually played in the spring, so the guy was temporarily without the team, without her camaraderie. He, like me, revolved around the guys who were popular at the school. It was obvious that he had enjoyed success in his former school. Everything went to the fact that sooner or later he would take his rightful place next to the Uplands: they already sniffed at him, determining whether he was his own or a stranger.
Liam and I attended chemistry classes, even though the guy was a year older. He moved to the Main Line from Pittsburgh.His father was a renowned plastic surgeon, and his artificially enlarged cheekbones made him look like the Cardissian from Star Trek. Previously, Liam studied at the most ordinary Pittsburgh school, which even horrified me, and when transferred to Bradley, he did not receive points in some subjects “not provided for in the program.” In the language of the head teacher, this means: “Secondary school? Ugh!”. In the old school, he slept with two high school girls, and therefore girls like Hillary and Olivia considered him dangerous.And dangerous means attractive. We all watched “Romeo and Juliet” with DiCaprio in the title role and now waited for some heartthrob burning with passion to risk his life to get under our skirt.
As a former student of a Catholic school, you might think that the thought of extramarital sex made me uneasy. It is true, but I was the least afraid of the fiery hyenna. Early on, I was confronted with the heartlessness and hypocrisy of the ministers of the church, who preach love and understanding, but do not manifest them in practice.I’ll never forget how Sister Kelly told us in second grade not to talk to Megan McNally for the rest of the day because she checked herself. Megan spent the whole lesson in a pool of yellowish, acrid-smelling urine, and hot tears of humiliation rolled down her crimson cheeks.
If a nun who behaves like a complete brute is firmly convinced that she will be in paradise, I reasoned, then God is much more lenient than I was told. And if so, what does the absence of some kind of chastity mean?
90,000 ★ Packing for Europe – Tips to Make Your Trip Easier ★
Summer is around the corner and you know what that means? It’s time to travel to Europe.
Summer is the most wonderful time of the year to see all of Europe’s historic sites, and we’ve figured out how we can arrange packaging for Europe to make life and travel easier.
Packing tips for European travel
Paris on a sunny day is like no other place on earth.
Sipping cava on the Spanish coast and watching the sunset is something you’ll never forget, and the chance to visit London in July without the gray fog and rain twists will bring the city to life.
Packaging for Europe – Multiple Destinations
See beautiful views from San Marino
Most people plan many activities on a single trip to Europe to get the most out of the continent.
There are many ways to see a lot of Europe in a short time, and I can understand why people make whirlwind rides.
Dave and I couldn’t help ourselves the first time we traveled in Europe.
We really wanted to see, we kept running to the next stop before we even had a chance to dive into the place where we were.
It’s just too tempting to want to see it all at once!
So we could tell you that it’s better to travel slowly and take your time in Europe to live like a local or pick and see a couple of things, but I know that most people will make their first trip to Europe to see a lot. of things.
Top 8 Packing Tips for Traveling to Europe
We travel frequently to Europe and have come up with a packing list that works for us.This is what we take when we walk across the pond.
Women’s European Packing List:
Summer Travel
Sporty Zippy Skort (1) – Perfect for sightseeing during the day, but can be dressed up at night, with a nice scarf and sandals. This is a pair of shorts and a skirt all in one.
Scarf – (1) I like to dress my outfits with silk wrap. It can turn a simple pair of pants and a simple shirt into a dignified evening outfit.
Convertible Skirt (1) This versatile skirt can be changed into a dress.Light skirts take up very little space, so I take extra things with me all the time.
Trousers (1) – I love my trousers in khaki mesh sandals because I can roll them up or wear them. They can be clothed or lowered and lightweight.
Shorts – (2) I have one pair of board shorts that I can wear if we surf, paddle or whatever in the water, and one good pair of Bermuda shorts for walking around town or resort.
Smart Shirts – (2) I love the Royal Robbins brand for their fashion and functionality.
LIGHTING – We both wear lightweight merino zip-up sweaters. You will hear this from us over and over again, but layering is key when traveling.
ExOfficio Underwear (4-6) – Fast drying, odor resistant and lightweight. We both love the ExOffcio lingerie line because we can pack less.
Men’s Packing List for Europe
BluffWorks Trousers (2) These are versatile trousers that rarely need to be washed, they are odor-resistant and can be worn on the highway or in the city.
Short sleeved shirts with collar (2)
Long sleeved shirt (1) – breathable, lightweight and great for parties or walking in the hot sun.
LIGHTING – We both wear lightweight merino zip-up sweaters. You will hear this from us over and over again, but layering is key when traveling.
LIGHTWEIGHT SOCKS – for when you need a pair of socks to walk around town or run.
ExOfficio Underwear (4-6) – Fast drying, odor resistant and lightweight.We both love the ExOffcio lingerie line because we can pack less.
Clarks Wave Trek Sneakers. These shoes make you look great by giving the impression that you are not trying. Walking at night says I’m comfortable and stylish in leather sneakers and I don’t need full shoes.
Margaritaville Reversible shorts – two shorts in one and they look great, but they are very different from each other. If you really want to zoom out, these shorts will provide you with an extra set of clothing with no extra packaging.
1. Versatility is the key
Pack versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched.
You will be grateful when you climb the stairs of a historic 5-star hotel in which you are confident that you will have a functional lift, or when navigating the Paris Metro, which seems to have one stair after another.
Meeting Friends
Our recommendation: a few wrinkle-free microfiber shirts, a pair of pants (or skirts for women), two pairs of shorts, and you’re ready to go.
Choose additional colors so you can change your look every day.
For more packing tips, check out our How to Pack for Travel page, which is a compilation of all of our best posts.
2. Pack the right shoes for your European travel
Dave is ready for the night in the city
Shoes are always tricky because we want to carry more than we need.
Dave has it easy, he brings a pair of flip-flops, a nice pair of trainers that look great with jeans or shorts, and a nice pair of shoes for the evening.
All he has to take with him are flip flops and fancy shoes, and he wears them on the plane or when traveling.
I would normally tell men to bring one pair of sneakers.
But when you go out at night you want to look good. European men have style and you will want to feel stylish when eating pasta on the Italian Riviera.
Check out our travel deals Clothes for boys
Look good at the airport
I bring a pair of ballet flats, flip flops, nice sandals and a pair of trainers.
My feet are small compared to Dave, ballet flats, flip flops and sandals take up very little space, so I have an extra pair.
Choose lightweight packaged shoes
I love the choice with my skirts or shorts, but Dave and I always do something adventurous.
With our variety of activities, I need my running shoes (mind you, I’m talking shoes, not boots), they are lighter and unless I do multi-day sturdy hikes, I don’t need ankle support for hiking boots) for things like horseback riding horseback riding, coastal walks, or even exploring some of the outlying castles.
Worried about safety when traveling in Europe? Read our 9 anti-theft accessories for safe travel
There are many outdoor activities in Europe
3. Don’t forget to wash
As you pack your light, you will have to wash your clothes more often.
We have visited self-service laundries around the world when we have had enough wash in the sink and often rented apartments and AirBnBs have a washing machine right in your room.
Take advantage of this and wash whenever you are lucky if you have one nearby.
We are always confident that we are prepared for the worst. To wash clothes in your hotel room, get universal sink stopper for any sink and clothesline to hang clothes
We also carry some liquid detergent with us, which we pack in GoToobs.
Taking in the Meteora of Greece
If we do not have a car, we often wash in the sink.
Since we have lightweight, quick-drying clothes, it doesn’t take long and our clothes are ready to go the next morning.
Often you don’t need to wash your pants, shorts and shirts every night, but clean linen is a must. That is why we recommend the Exofficio Lingerie. This was made for easy viewing and quick drying.
Think about all your clothes when you pack. Will it be easy to wash in the hotel sink? If not, then perhaps you should leave it at home.
Check it out! Our definitive list of camping gear to help you pack Smart!
Various restaurants in Europe
Hotel laundry items:
Universal cork sink This plug will fit any sink and will hold water. Don’t count on traffic jams in your hotel, have a backup plan and use your own.
- Clothesline – You don’t want laundry to be washed all over the hotel, we use a clothesline without a peg with rubber stoppers.The suction cup stops stick to the shower wall and you can easily put on your clothes without looking for clothespins.
- Detergents – Detergents are lighter and more effective than a bottle of detergent. Go for travel size whenever possible.
- Gu Tubs : Perfectly metered bottles that never leak or take up space next to each other.
4. Don’t forget the correct adapter
Lots of adapters and plugs for our electronics
When we traveled we carried a bag with different adapters for each country.
UK and Ireland plugs differ from continental Europe. So you can’t just take it with you and magically make it work on all forks.
But now you can collect all your adapters in one place. We use a universal universal adapter and that’s all we need.
Buy on Amazon: Eagle Creek Universal Adapter and Belkin Mini Filter
Don’t miss photographing the incredible views of Europe
While we carry a lot of electronics, we use one adapter, plug in the Belkin mini surge protector and we now have four different outlets and three different USB chargers in one place.
This allows us to charge our mobile phones, computers and cameras at the same time. Isn’t technology great?
See our
Electronics Travel Equipment List for more great ideas!
6. Packaging organizers make life easier
Previously, we did not have a variety of travel packaging, but we found that we were much more organized and with packaging organizers everything worked better.
Dave is a big fan of Smart Envelope for all of his shirts.He now wears more short-sleeved shirts than T-shirts.
Dave Loves His Wrapping Sleeve
They are more versatile and can be worn on a camping trip or for dinner. He keeps them in order by folding them into an envelope.
They remain without creases, and each folds on top of the other, taking up much less space than rolling them side by side.
One “
PackIt” can hold six shirts and, frankly, six shirts are all you need.
Cube Packing is another life saver. They help keep things nice and organized. They can be color-coded, there are compression cubes that can reduce bulky items, and you can tuck more clothes into the cubes to take up less space.
Read: 8 great travel organizers for the best packaging.
7. Think Small
Toiletry bag that hangs
When you are traveling in Europe, this is not the time to go big or go home.Think small instead.
We put everything in Travel Size bottles. Hotels often have shampoo and conditioner you can use, but if not, you can dive into your belongings.
GoToobs. are the best for this. We love these little bottles that are easy to refill and don’t leak.
Small Containers
We also put any medicine like Advil or antihistamines in small containers. You don’t have to bring a full bottle of every medicine under the sun.
Place a few in the pill organizer for emergencies when you feel nauseous or have a rare headache. You don’t need a pharmacy with you.
Then we put everything in one toiletry bag to keep everything compact, organized and easy to find.
When you are organized for your travels, you are a happy traveler.
8. Choose the right travel bags
Rolling Duffel works best for us
Finally, choose the right bag.We used to be backpack fans, but we moved on to lightweight lightweight rolling instead.
Now we like to put our carry-on bags on our backs (as they are the heaviest, as they have all our cameras and electronics) and we carry our clothes with us.
Our duffel bags are lightweight and easy to handle and above all durable.
They are also easy to organize. Thanks to the use of packing cubes, toiletry bags and shirt-folding envelopes, they all fit perfectly into our tracksuit like pieces of a puzzle.
Well, that should do it. With this tip, you should travel across Europe with a lighter bag, but all the essentials nonetheless.
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Packing tips for travel to Europe
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