They’re back! Flip-flops. Maybe they never really went away. In any case, flip-flops are one of the hottest trends in summer fashion footwear. If you are wondering when the first shoe of this type appeared, I did a little research and discovered that sandals---which is what we are talking about here---came into existence around 2000 B.C. So for those of you who think this shoe is a brand new creation, think again.
It began as a basic item to protect the soles of the feet. A simple strap between the toes made it easy to wear. In recent years this utilitarian footwear has been recognized as a beach shoe or a shower shoe. That’s right, a shower shoe.
So how did we get from the shower shoe to the hottest footwear of the season? One of the morning television news shows recently did a feature story on flip-flops. Several of the reporters were actually touting this as the shoe to wear to work. Fortunately, one of the news anchors, a well-dressed man in a suit and tie, expressed his dismay at the thought of these thongs showing up at the office.
Flip-flops now come in every imaginable fabric and heel-height. Once an inexpensive plastic shoe with a flat sole, it now comes in a variety of man made and natural materials, in low to high heels, any color and design you can imagine and prices ranging for $5 to $200.
Flip-flops have become versatile, but once again people are confusing the latest fashion with business attire. Flip-flops, and their sandal cousins, are not business professional footwear.
It is not simply a matter of appearance—whether these shoes look professional or not---it is a matter of safety. Any shoe that has an open toe, heel or both can create peril in the workplace.
So before you slip into your cool new flip-flops for which you just paid a small fortune, think about where you work. Are these shoes appropriate? Are they safe? As Corby O’Connor, business etiquette columnist for the New Jersey Star Ledger writes, “ As far as flip-flops are concerned, don't even consider wearing them to your job unless you are a lifeguard. Not only are they casual to the extreme and indicate you don't take your job too seriously; they pose a safety hazard to your feet.”
Author Resource:-
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author featured in the Wall Street Journal and many other off-line and on-line publications. Lydia shares her business etiquette tips in her monthly e-zine, her blog and on Twitter. To register for these free services visitManners That Sell today!
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