- Published
Flip-flops have always been a popular solution to sweaty, uncomfortable feet in scorching weather - and now they've had a revamp.
asserted
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.
uncertain
she → wear → Baidoo
However, heel or not, the flip-flop has earned itself a bad rap for lack of support and damaging our feet.
asserted
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.
asserted
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.
asserted
flops → say → Podiatry
The problem comes if you go straight from wearing a very structured shoe to wearing flip-flops a lot, she explains.
asserted
she → come → flops
It means your foot is under more strain than normal, which makes you more prone to injury.
asserted
you → mean → injury
"The foot does start to change shape and tends to splay a little bit over time," says Branthwaite.
asserted
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.
asserted
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.
uncertain
that → find → foam
Sliders are out and Crocs are in for Gen Z, she says.
asserted
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.
uncertain
sandals → design → advantages
The wooden clog is also making a comeback.
asserted
clog → make → comeback
It's worn by doctors and chefs on their feet all day.
asserted
It → wear → feet
Scholl slider mules are the original orthopaedic shoe, Baidoo says - and admits she once had a pair in pink suede.
asserted
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.
asserted
wedge → speak → footwear
And it provides a nice kind of silhouette for the ankle.
asserted
it → provide → ankle
You've got the support all the way through the shoe.
asserted
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.
uncertain
teacher → opt → 1970s
"Men can wear it as an alternative to a loafer.
asserted
Men → wear → loafer
It's a really cool kind of style to adopt for women too," Baidoo says.
asserted
Baidoo → adopt → women
It's all about easing into them, says Branthwaite.
asserted
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.
asserted
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.
uncertain
them → notice → life
Just because you start out being a size 6, doesn't mean you'll remain a size 6.
asserted
you → start → ?
The Aporia
