Flippin' has become trendy for college students

My stepsister loves her flip-flops so much she buys the socks with toes on them just so she can wear them all year. She does live in Northern California though, where you couldn’t really get away with wearing flip-flops in the middle of winter.

Here on the other hand, it’s not uncommon.

So it got me thinking, how did this trend start? And why have these shoes become so popular, especially among college students.

The obvious answers that come to mind are that they are effortless, cheap, efficient and versatile. You don’t (unless you are like my stepsister and want to wear them when it’s 4 degrees outside) have to wear socks with them. You can just slip them on and you are out the door.

For students always on the run to classes, this is an efficient choice.

You can also buy them for a couple dollars. You can get a ton of colors at a cheap price making it easy to wear them with everything, all the time. Many of my friends illustrate the point, “you can never have too many flip-flops.”

Because they are so inexpensive, when a pair runs out, it isn’t a problem—you can just throw them out and buy a new pair.

Students also commonly choose comfort over fashion, making flip-flops an easy choice. But the flip-flops of today aren’t the little cheap, rubberized thong sandals your parents wore only around the house or at the beach. Today they are stylish and come in a number of “high-fashion” varieties with everything from sequins and beads to jewels and flowers.

These fancier types, as well as the old, have made a huge appearance on Fresno State’s campus and others throughout.

Everyone probably remembers the nationwide controversy that the Northwestern University national champion women’s lacrosse team started in late July when some of the teams’ members wore flip-flops to the White House to meet President Bush.

From Madonna’s breast-lifting bras to Shania’s midriff revealing shirts, it almost seems as though it has become a rite of passage to annoy your parents with clothing, or shoes for that matter.

But there probably isn’t much doubt that those who rolled their eyes at flip-flops in the White House were probably the same young crowd to introduce jeans as a wear anywhere, anytime commodity.

And with their prevalence and popularity among students, the trend doesn’t seem to be dying; at least not anytime soon.

Even college and professional sports teams are jumping on the bandwagon making team colored and logo-ed flip-flop fashions so fans can show their team spirit even on their feet.

And so, winter is coming, but I won’t be surprised when I see my step-sister next week when she comes for Thanksgiving in her toe socks and flip-flops. I will just recognize it as the norm, for flip-flops are here to stay

Comment on this story in the Opinion forum >>