For those folks who are tired of the winter months that require them to keep their feet in stuffy shoes and are looking for an excuse to expose those toes, Flip-Flop Day may just be the answer!
Flip-flops got their name because of the slapping sound they make against the ground when you walk in them – and now some people have taken to shortening it by referring to them as simply “flips”.
Other names around the world may include pluggers (in Australia), slops or plakkies in South Africa and Zimbabwe, or jandals in New Zealand.
No matter what folks want to call them, these little lightweight sandals have a day all their own each summer dedicated to celebrating them. It’s time to get excited about National Flip Flop Day!
National Flip Flop Day Timeline
Earliest Known Toe-Post Sandals in Egypt
Archaeological finds from Egyptian tombs show sandals made of papyrus and palm leaves, with a strap between the toes similar to modern flip flops, used by both commoners and pharaohs.
Greek and Roman Sandal Traditions Develop
Ancient Greeks and Romans wear various open sandals with toe straps and flat soles, influencing later thong-style footwear across the Mediterranean and Europe.
Japanese Zori Emerge
In Japan, flat-soled zori sandals with a thong between the toes become common, worn with traditional clothing and inspiring later rubber thong sandals around the world.
Zori-Inspired Flip Flops Enter U.S. Culture
After World War II, American soldiers bring back Japanese zori; manufacturers adapt the design into inexpensive rubber “flip flops” that quickly spread as casual beachwear.
Launch of Havaianas Standardizes the Rubber Flip Flop
Brazilian company Alpargatas introduces Havaianas, a rubber sandal modeled on Japanese zori, which becomes a mass-market staple and later a global fashion icon.
Flip Flops Penetrate Mainstream and Semi-Formal Fashion
By the early 21st century, flip flops are worn beyond beaches, including on U.S. college campuses and even at the White House, sparking debate about casualization of dress.
Ocean Sole Highlights Environmental Cost of Flip Flops
Kenyan social enterprise Ocean Sole gains international attention for collecting discarded flip flops from beaches and turning them into art, drawing focus to marine pollution from sandal waste.
How to Celebrate National Flip Flop Day
National Flip Flop Day offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved not only with flip flops, but also with smoothies and with camp.
What could be a better combination?! Try out some of these ideas for celebrating the day in style:
Wear Flip Flops
Obviously, the first order of business on National Flip Flop Day is to dig those sandals out from the box under the bed or at the top of the closet and wear them.
Those who aren’t feeling like their feet are quite ready for summer might want to head over to get a pedicure first.
After locating that favorite pair of flip-flops, head outside to take a stroll along the beach or through the park.
If the weather isn’t quite right for sandals, it might be fun to put on some warmer footwear and go shopping for a great new pair of flip-flops to be more prepared for when the sun does arrive!
Not feeling like leaving the house at all? Why not put on flip-flops instead of the usual slippers and wear them at home to get yourself in the mood for summer?
Although flip-flops can be great to wear on a fun casual day out, just be careful not to wear them for too long – the lack of support in flip-flops and their thin soles can lead to sore or injured feet!
Get a Free Smoothie
Another delightful way to observe National Flip Flop Day would be to pop over to a local outpost of Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
With locations in more than 40 states as well as Washington, DC, there is almost always an option for hitting up one of these stores.
Order up a favorite flavor, like the Strawberry Margarita Smoothie, or try something new and unique, such as the Chia Banana Boost.
Those folks who don’t have a Tropical Smoothie Cafe nearby can still certainly find their own way to celebrate the day, by ordering a smoothie at a different cafe, or even whipping out the blender and making one at home!
Support Camp Sunshine or Another Charity
Anyone who wants to celebrate in style can start by wearing a pair of sandals on National Flip Flop Day and then consider making a financial donation to a charity.
Choose to partner with Tropical Smoothie Cafe by supporting Camp Sunshine, which is a nonprofit organization based in Maine that welcomes children who are facing life-threatening illnesses and their families to join in for some rest, respite and recreation.
Or, if preferred, take this opportunity to get involved with another charity of choice.
The main goal is to do something kind for someone else, and bring some smiles and happiness to the world in celebration of National Flip Flop Day!
History of National Flip Flop Day
National Flip Flop Day was founded by Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2007 with the intention of encouraging everyone to get into the spirit of summer by breaking out their favorite pair of flip flops after a long winter.
National Flip Flop Day was originally scheduled to occur on the third Friday in June. In 2023 the date was changed to the Wednesday after Memorial Day, to coincide with the arrival of summer and warmer weather.
Customers who visit a participating Cafe on Flip-Flop Day wearing – you guessed it, flip-flops – have the option to receive a free smoothie.
But there’s more exciting news! Not only does Tropical Smoothie Cafe give its customers a free drink and the chance to air their feet, it also uses National Flip-Flop Day as an opportunity to raise money for Camp Sunshine – a camp that offers respite and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
In fact, in the years since this day began, more than eight million dollars has been raised in support of this charitable organization!
Of course, people have been wearing flip-flops and other styles of simple sandals for thousands of years, with the earliest wearers being the Ancient Egyptians in 4000 BC.
Since then, this type of sandal has been worn throughout the world and has become a favorite for people enjoying a relaxing day at the beach or walking around in the sunshine.
Facts About National Flip Flop Day
Ancient Sandals Resembled Modern Flip Flops
Archaeologists have found thong-style sandals dating back thousands of years, including papyrus and palm-leaf examples from ancient Egypt and wooden or straw “zori” in Japan.
These early designs already used a toe post and flat sole similar to modern flip flops, showing that the basic concept of a simple sandal secured between the toes has changed very little over millennia.
How Japanese Zori Helped Popularize Flip Flops in the West
The widespread popularity of flip flops in the United States is often traced to Japanese “zori” brought back by American soldiers after World War II.
These lightweight, thong-style sandals, originally made from rice straw or fabric, inspired mass-produced rubber versions that became beachwear staples in the 1950s and 1960s.
Why New Zealanders Call Them “Jandals”
In New Zealand, flip flops are commonly known as “jandals,” a name that originated as a trademarked term in the 1950s.
The word is a contraction of “Japanese sandals,” reflecting both the influence of Japanese zori on their design and the country’s effort to develop a local rubber sandal industry after World War II.
Flip Flops Can Subtly Change the Way People Walk
Biomechanical studies have found that wearing flip flops alters gait compared with athletic shoes.
Research from Auburn University showed that flip flop wearers tend to take shorter strides and curl their toes to grip the sole, changes that can increase strain on the ankles and lower legs and may contribute to overuse injuries if worn for long periods.
Link Between Flip Flops and Foot Pain Conditions
Podiatric research suggests that thin, unsupportive flip flops can aggravate conditions such as plantar fasciitis and flat feet.
Because many flip flops lack arch support and cushioning, the plantar fascia absorbs more impact with each step, which can lead to heel pain, arch pain, and fatigue, especially on hard surfaces.
Flip Flops Are a Surprisingly Common Source of Injuries in Children
A study of pediatric foot and ankle injuries found that flip flops contributed to a significant number of emergency visits, often due to tripping, stubbed toes, and falls.
Open toes and loose straps provide little protection or stability, which is why many pediatric specialists recommend sturdier sandals or closed shoes for playgrounds and sports.
Discarded Flip Flops Are a Major Marine Litter Problem
Billions of cheap foam flip flops are produced each year, and many end up as plastic debris on beaches and in the ocean.
Surveys of shorelines in East Africa and Asia regularly rank flip flops among the most common footwear items found, prompting projects in countries like Kenya to collect and upcycle washed-up sandals into art pieces and household products.
