From King Tut to Kate Moss

Who would have thought that the thonged, flappy footwear we have aptly dubbed "flip flops" would have made such a "footprint" in world history. Most of us, at some point or another, have worn flip flops, whether they're stylish, sexy flip flops or generic Chinese imports. Flip flops, with their simple design and unlimited fashion potential, are as iconic as blue jeans. Slipping on a pair can mean a trip to the laundromat or a trip to the beach. Flip flops can also be seen splitting the first two toes of many, in thousands of situations and variations.


Also referred to as thongs, flaps, beachwalkers and zories, flip flops are the standard footwear for many developing nations, where they are available for under $1. In the developing world, a large effort is made to keep to keep the cost of flip flops low so that everyone has access to shoes. Still, there are those who do not, and so obtaining your first pair can signal a boost on the social ladder, and being a step closer to a pair of closed toed shoes.


Archaeologists tend to agree that the flip flop design in its more modern form hails from countries like China and New Zealand. However, the history of the sandal ancestral to the modern flip flop seems to have origins in Ancient Egypt where a hieroglyph consisting of an inverted V within a long oval decorates a number of temples and tombs--including King Tut's. This simple design has been used to craft all manner of shoe styles for at least six thousand years! As a point of comparison, primitive shoes are shown in rock paintings dating from the late Paleolithic period some 15,000 years ago. This alone is proof that the thonged sandal is, after moccasins, the world's oldest footwear.


Here in the 21st Century, flip flops are still fixtures in the fashion landscape, and their sheer simplicity of design allows much to be done with them. Here in the U.S., flip flops are a lot like blue jeans in that they can be transformed into both everyday wear and high fashion. Designer flip flops, believe it or not, are frequently seen flapping down the world's catwalks and red carpets. Flip flop sales took off after supermodels like Kate Moss began wearing them and they began showing up on the red carpet.


Wherever or however you choose to wear them, flip flops and thong sandals come in a variety of shoe styles, like slides, heels and wedges. They can be made from leather, wood, plastic, patent leather, canvas, fabric, metallic finishes, suede and more. There is much debate about the definition of the true flip flop. Most people concur that flip flops have always been flat sandals that are open at the back so that they flap when you walk.


Depending on the current state of fashion and, of course, the whimsy of the wearer, flip flops and thong sandals are sometimes embellished with beading, jewelry, rhinestones or buckles. Embellished flip flops are often mistaken for something fancier than flip flops and therefore not quite suitable to bear that name. While the term "flip flop" typically refers to the more economical version of its formal cousin--the thong sandal--high fashion designer flip flops are also available to suit a plethora of personalities.

About the Author

Written by Kacy Suther. Stacie Bass makes designer flip flops and sexy flip flops for today's modern woman. Find their embellished flip flops at http://www.staciebass.com .


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