As sophomore Ella Renazco-Sperling rushes through her morning routine, she is relieved to slip on flip-flops before bounding out the door. Often running late, Renazco-Sperling said the convenience, breathability and comfort of her Rainbow Flirty Braidy sandals makes them her go-to choice.
Many students, including Renazco-Sperling, have noticed a recent surge of flip-flops around campus.
“I remember my freshman year, I only noticed the upperclassmen wearing open-toe shoes, and even then, it was only a couple of them,” Renazco-Sperling said. “But this year, I’ve noticed all grades wearing open-toe shoes, and a big majority of people wearing them.”
Sophomore Ela Aba said wearing open-toe shoes was previously considered odd in social settings across all grade levels.
“I think at one point it was kind of unacceptable because it would be weird to see other people’s toes and feet, because people would think it’s unhygienic,” Aba said. “I don’t think it’s less acceptable for underclassmen because anyone should be able to wear whatever they want.”
As popular culture and TikTok trends evolve from previous stigmas surrounding foot fetishes and having one’s “dogs out,” students seem to be embracing open-toed footwear. Renazco-Sperling said she is grateful for this shift.
“I thought (flip flops) were comfortable, but I didn’t actually wear them outside of summertime, just because people would say things about it,” Renazco-Sperling said. “I enjoy wearing flip-flops because they’re really easy to put on in the morning. I’m honestly always late, so it’s helpful for me to easily slip them on. They don’t feel confined at all. I don’t get blisters or anything from them like I do with my other shoes.”
English teacher Shirley Tokhiem said she was unaware of teenagers’ stigmas, and mostly wears shoes, but has occasionally been barefoot while teaching.
“I would imagine that (students) would think it was rare, walking around without shoes on, but I don’t do it very often,” Tokheim said. “It’s not a practice. I have shoes on because I am at work.”
Chemistry teacher Samuel Howles-Banerji said he understands students’ incentives to wear flip-flops, but also acknowledges the dangers of flip-flops during chemistry labs and enforces that rule.
“If things splash, you want it on shoes and not on skin,” Howles-Banerji said. “The other thing is, if glass breaks and you have open-toed shoes, there’s the chance that it gets caught between the shoe and the foot.”
Junior Hannah Hill said she sometimes struggles to remember this rule on lab days.
“I forgot that I had a chem lab and wore flip-flops that day,” Hill said. “So, at lunch I had to switch shoes with (my sister).”
On the other hand, junior Maria Uribe Estrada said she has never forgotten to wear closed-toe shoes, thanks to frequent reminders from her teacher.
“Mr. HB (Howles-Banerji) reminds us when we have a lab throughout the week, so thankfully I usually remember to wear close-toed shoes when I’m getting ready in the morning,” Uribe Estrada said. “But if I didn’t, I know my friends would lend me their shoes at the last minute.”
Despite potential restrictions or social stigmas, Tokheim said flip-flops remain the purest form of footwear.
“About 15 years ago, there was a lot written about the value of being able to use all of the muscles in your feet to feel the ground, and it helps with balance,” Tokheim said. “It helps with just being connected to the Earth. And it’s the way our bodies were meant to be.”
