Summer has been officially over for months, yet it lingers with sporadic hits of warm weather a little longer than what we all would wish or recognize. Nothing gives this away more than footwear — specifically, flip flops (or as my Hawaiian friend calls them, slippers) which have made a recent surge in popularity all over the fashion industry. No brand has had a bigger impact than the Brazilian-born brand, Havaianas. Is this just a small carry-over of a summer fad that will die out once the Indiana wind hits, or are flip flops the new campus “it” shoe to be sporting?
When I first saw that a new craze began and it revolved around the flip flop, I laughed. I mean, this is about a flimsy piece of plastic that is bought at the local Walmart or 99cent store before heading off to the public pool or beach? What is so great about flip flops? I must confess that I did in fact fall for the alluringly bright, happy colors and patterns on a Havaiana flip flop, and I even own a pair. Though after coming back on campus, I did not expect to see the flourishing flip flop game that popped up.
It struck me when I was recently stopped by someone asking me if I was Brazilian due to the small Brazilian flags on my pair of Havaianas — found in the country of question. This poor guy was thoroughly confused to find out that I was not Brazilian, but just a person who fell for the marketing schemes of the brand and the fad of the summer. Did this interaction leave me with a small dose of inner self reflection on future purchases? Perhaps, but will this encounter stop me from flouncing around campus in my flip flops? No!
I also don’t believe this style of footwear will burn out when winter hits campus, since I have always heard the echoes of clicks and plops during a few corridors of residence halls and Hesburgh Library.
In the end, is this flip flop trend a sort of boho-hobo chic that has been sold to us by very well-done marketing schemes by brands like Havaiana to be “the summer shoe”? Yes. But, will I silently be applauding all who decide to confidently flip and flop in their daily class treks? Big time, for I shall happily be part of the fray. So, to this I say keep calm and flip-flop on!
