Fashion expert Angela Baidoo and podiatrist Dr. Helen Branthwaite weigh in on the risks of wearing flip-flops, which are often criticized for lacking support and potentially damaging feet. According to Dr. Branthwaite, the issue is not with flip-flops themselves, but rather with how people switch from structured shoes to them frequently. This can put excessive strain on the foot, leading to injury and changes in foot shape. Baidoo suggests alternatives such as FitFlop flip-flops, Crocs, and Birkenstocks for those looking for more supportive options.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Flip-flop enthusiasts have been given style advice by fashion expert Angela Baidoo, who suggests pairing them with a kitten heel for the summer. However, some experts are concerned that flip-flops can be bad for your feet due to lack of support and arch stability. According to Podiatrist Dr Helen Branthwaite, the problem arises when transitioning from wearing structured shoes to flip-flops frequently, putting excessive strain on the foot and making it more prone to injury over time.
Written for “Footwear Problems in Summer” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article presents both positive and negative views of flip-flops, and quotes experts from the Royal College of Podiatry to support its arguments, suggesting a neutral tone. However, some words like 'stylish' (used to describe a more supportive flip-flop) may slightly lean towards a consumerist or aspirational tone that is often associated with more conservative or mainstream values.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.20 for article 456 · logged 2026-08-05
- Published
Flip-flops have always been a popular solution to sweaty, uncomfortable feet in scorching weather - and now they've had a revamp.
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they → publish → revamp
The most stylish way to wear them this summer is with a kitten heel, according to fashion expert and trend forecaster Angela Baidoo.
"It's not a high heel and it's really kind of easy to just slip in and slip out of," she says.
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she → wear → Baidoo
However, heel or not, the flip-flop has earned itself a bad rap for lack of support and damaging our feet.
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flop → earn → feet
In terms of arch support and joint support, it's not the best style, but people are investing a bit more, getting their flip-flops customised, because it's something that is just so easy to wear," Baidoo says.
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Baidoo → invest → more
Podiatrist Dr Helen Branthwaite, who is also chief clinical adviser at the Royal College of Podiatry, says it's "not accurate" to say flip-flops are bad.
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flops → say → Podiatry
The problem comes if you go straight from wearing a very structured shoe to wearing flip-flops a lot, she explains.
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she → come → flops
It means your foot is under more strain than normal, which makes you more prone to injury.
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you → mean → injury
"The foot does start to change shape and tends to splay a little bit over time," says Branthwaite.
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Branthwaite → start → time
"A good analogy is if you were to wear a corset all the time and then took the corset off, everything would sort of all hang out, so to speak.
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everything → wear → corset
How to find healthy sandals
Baidoo suggests a more supportive flip-flop, such as a FitFlop, which is sturdier and contoured - a world away from the flat and thin flip-flops that have been cut from a big sheet of foam.
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that → find → foam
Sliders are out and Crocs are in for Gen Z, she says.
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she → say → Z
They might be "anti-fashion shoes" but they're "really comfy" and designed "orthopaedically" with footbed sandals like Birkenstocks offering the same advantages.
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sandals → design → advantages
The wooden clog is also making a comeback.
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clog → make → comeback
It's worn by doctors and chefs on their feet all day.
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It → wear → feet
Scholl slider mules are the original orthopaedic shoe, Baidoo says - and admits she once had a pair in pink suede.
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she → say → suede
"When I speak to some of my friends and some of my clients who work in the plus-size category, the wedge actually provides a form of comfortable footwear.
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wedge → speak → footwear
And it provides a nice kind of silhouette for the ankle.
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it → provide → ankle
You've got the support all the way through the shoe.
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You → get → shoe
You could always opt for the fisherman-style sandal, which looks like something a history teacher might have worn in the 1970s.
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teacher → opt → 1970s
"Men can wear it as an alternative to a loafer.
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Men → wear → loafer
It's a really cool kind of style to adopt for women too," Baidoo says.
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Baidoo → adopt → women
It's all about easing into them, says Branthwaite.
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Branthwaite → ease → them
Expert tips for happy feet
Podiatrist Dr Helen Branthwaite's top tips for looking after your feet:
Pay close attention to the sole of the shoe and what it's made from, because that will influence how your foot moves and how you walk
If you can bend your flip-flops in two, then ask yourself if you're strong enough to take on the extra load your normal shoe would support
Don't forget to check the condition of your feet - the skin can dry out quickly in open footwear like flip-flops.
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skin → look → flops
You might not notice until your heel gets firmer and your toenails start to look fragile
Lather your feet in emollient, a moisturising water retention cream containing urea to hydrate the skin, every day
Your feet change constantly throughout your life, so get them measured regularly.
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them → notice → life
Just because you start out being a size 6, doesn't mean you'll remain a size 6.
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you → start → ?
