Fashion Challenge: Go a Week Without Wearing Flip Flops
Leave your flip flops behind this week!
Close your eyes and picture this: it’s a hot day, and you’re by the pool in your favorite bathing suit, a chic cover-up, huge sunglasses, a floppy sun hat, and a cold drink in your hand. Now think – what is on your feet?
If you’re like most people, you probably thought “flip flops, duh!” And that means this week’s Fashion Challenge is for you!
While most of us probably have dozens of pairs of flip flops, this week’s challenge is to up the style factor for a week by opting for some more stylish shoes to complete your warm weather outfits. I know, flip flops are just so easy — but we know you can do better than that! Swapping out your trusty flip flops for another pair of sandals, flats, or casual shoes can instantly transform a boring t-shirt-and-shorts combo into an interesting ensemble.
After you take the challenge, we want to find out about your experience with the challenge — so make sure to send in photos of the outfits you turned from frumpy to fabulous with a change of footwear. Read on for ideas on how to rock this challenge, then find out how to share your experience with us and get featured here!
Tips and Tricks for Avoiding Flip Flops
- Thong sandals can be fancied up with an ankle strap. Look for designs with embellishments like jewels, braided leather, or flowers.
- Even if you’re running out of the house in a pair of Nike shorts and a t-shirt, your look will be so much more interesting if you swap out flip flops for a pair of casual sneakers or even high tops!
- When I was in middle school, our principal actually banned flip flops — she justified it by saying that it helped avoid “foot injuries,” but to this day I still think she was just tyrannical. We got around this odd rule by wearing sandals with toe straps instead.
- Ballet flats can make a sloppy t-shirt and shorts look intentional as well. Also, they’re just as easy to slide on as a pair of flops!
- If you’re going to the pool, consider wearing espadrilles or high-heeled sandals instead. Not only will you steal a little bit of Miami style, but the extra height will make your legs look miles long. Obviously, these won’t work on the beach – but you can rock sandals or go barefoot there.
- Casual shoes, like Sperrys, Keds, Vans, Toms, or Converse All-Stars make great alternatives to flip flops, too!
Cute Flip Flop Alternatives
From the Left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Rocked the Challenge? Tell Us About It!
Did you banish flip flops from your wardrobe this week? Send us an email at fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net with your name, school, the URL or your blog if you have one, some frustrations you faced or lessons you learned while tackling this challenge, and some photos of your super chic outfits.
We’d love to hear your story and share it with other CF readers (we’ll also make you famous and give your blog some free publicity)!
Thoughts?
How do you feel about flip flops? Do you see them as staples, or can you go without wearing them pretty easily? What’s your favorite pair of throw-on shoes when you’re in a rush? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Posted on on May 12, 2011 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Fashion Challenge, Flip Flops, Footwear, Sandals, Shoes
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Amanda
Haha, I’ve already accomplished this fashion challenge. Flip flops are the literal worst, I hate them. The look of them, the sound of them slapping against pavement, the fact that I am overly acquainted with the feet of anyone wearing them… No thanks!
Elisabeth
In the immortal words of Blair Waldorf: flip flops aren’t shoes!
Stephanie
Hahaha. I love this! I never ever wear flip flops, unless you want to call my Jack Rogers “flip flops” and I’d beg to differ!
Paula
I wear flip flops everyday!!!!!!! ….. when I shower =p hahaha
trendsteps
DONE!
(Haha, can’t wear flip flops in norway – especially not now!)
SJ
I don’t like flip flops, if it’s not for the pool, and the ones I have are even more “shoe” than the plastic hawaianas…I have a friend that absolutely hate them.
The yellow sandals with a bow are an exact copy from last summer Zara ones, I have them in white (they were also in camel), and they were much cheaper!!!
candee
Flip Flops are to summer as Uggs are to winter lol. You either love em or hate em but they are just so easy to throw on
Breanna
I think I don’t even own any at the moment! Which is bad, I think I could use a pair while away on holidays, so I can shower without worrying about getting fungus (yuk).
Rebecca
I can’t stand wearing flip flops. They hurt my feet ’cause they have no arch support.
Ashleigh
I hate flip flops…. even the word itself, barf.
:[
I love these sandals though!
Shelly
I can’t stand wearing flip flops, especially that stupid sound they make when people walk. Even when I go to the beach I wear a pair of sandals or sneakers there and then put on flip flops just so my feet don’t touch the sand. They are also very painful and make my feet feel dirty. Flip flops are not conducive to city living.
Lila
haha I just wore flip-flops today, would be hard for me I think because I have quite broad feet and sandals are either too narrow or too long for me…
Im search for one with an ankle strap though
crystal
well considering it’s jus starting to warm up, why wud u take away my flip-flops? i jus went all winter w/o em:’(
Cortney
The yellow ones with the bow? My sister got a pair at K-mart for like $15 in the kid’s section. If your shoe size is a 7 or below, then you can fit into the kid’s section shoes. I buy all my sandals there for cheap AND they’re super cute! (I also got a pair of pink sequin tennis shoes).
Kristina
I only wear flip flops in the summer to the beach or when I’m walking around the corner to my friend’s house. Otherwise, they’re sloppy and corny looking. Sandals are just as easy as flip flops and make your whole look much better overall!
Nicky
I only wear the ones with jewels or studs or some sort of embellishment on them; I only have one pair of rubber plain flip flops and I only wear them when I go to a water park for fear of foot fungus and other nasty things on the ground there. I also really like toms for the summer they are so adorable~
haruogagawa
Oh em gee! I just did this this last week! I wore alot of flats! Everyone complimented on how I wore my flats and not wearing flip flops!
shay monet
lol this is great! i quit wearing flip flops the summer before college to make my look a bit more mature. everyone should seriously give this a try!
Kim
I don’t consider flip flops chic, and
Kim
This won’t be much of a challnege for me. I never wear flip flops. The best part of summer for me, is buying cute and chic sandals <3
Mayra
As a girl from southern california, I love flip-flops!!
Kristen
I only wear flip flops um…always! Actually, I’ll be working at a summer camp this summer, so looks like dirty tennis shoes will be the look du jour. *sigh*
Ashley
I’ll wear flip flops to the beach, but that’s it. Although they are looking pretty good right now, but that’s just me wishing summer was here.
Jess
I love flip flops. I used to practically live in them. That being said, I really have cut down on flip flops and only have one pair in my house that I don’t wear all that often.
Lucia
“Flip flops aren’t shoes!!” – Blair Waldorf
Annalise
Managed to do this challenge successfully over the past few years, haha. Despise them!
Kate
I actually bought a pair of cute flip-flops (more like actual sandals than the rubber beach variety) today, so when I got back home and read this post I laughed. I didn’t own a single pair of sandals before this, so wearing my flip flops will be breaking me of my “uniform” of wearing ballet flats EVERY day. I suppose it’s still in the spirit of this challenge, though, right?
Casey
I live on a beach, so flip flops are essential here. What actually constitutes a flip flop though? A thong sandal? The nasty cheap rubber Old Navy/ Havianas/ Walmart, etc? I have a pair of thong sandals from urban outfitters that have a thin sole and a gold woven triangle top, they aren’t rubber flip flips, but I would still call them flip flops because they’re basically the same concept, a thong sandal. But they’re cute and stylish and they’re my go to shoes when I’m in a hurry.
i worked full-time at A&F/ Hollister Co. for 5 years and we had to wear flip-flops as part of our look-policy. They’re not gross if the person wearing them has attractive feet, but most people don’t. In that case though, any sort of sandal/ foot revealing shoe looks bad.
I don’t get the flip flop hate because when you live on a beach, no one’s bothered by them. I agree there are cuter shoe options, but who really cares if thats what the person chooses to wear? Some outfits flip flops are exactly the perfect shoe for the event, mood, etc.
Katie
I think the whole world, not just the fashion community, should take a fashion challenge of going their WHOLE LIVES without wearing flip flops! I cannot stand them or walking with people who are wearing them. So much cuter options are out there. Plus, I think flip flops have such a young high school feel to them.
kelsey
I just like to take my flip flops for a spin when I’m at the beach :) I’m always worried I’ll ruin my sandals in the sand if I wear them to the beach! :o I love that tribal-inspired sandal!
Shannon
I wear flip flops only while bumming around the house or around the water (beach or pool).
K.C.
Yay! I’ve already been trying not to wear flip flops this spring.
Annie
Haha, I could never go a week without flip flops! But I am trying to wear cute sandals more and flip flops a little less. I love the yellow pair with the bow so adorable!!!
Jamie
i dont own flip flops!
Laura
I don’t like flip flops, it would be challenging to get me in a pair of them! I don’t like getting my feet all icky from dirty suburban streets, so I stick to flats. ALL summer. Unless I whip out my Birkenstocks, which EVERYONE hates lol, but they are darn comfy, and a must around a campfire, with socks of course hahaha! But flip flops are a no.
Rachel
I used to wear flip flops all the time, but last summer I started wearing ballet flats instead. It was definitely a great decision (aside from the weird tan line): my feet were protected from whatever was on the sidewalk, AND it looked so much classier!
That said, I definitely prefer flip-flops for the beach. :)
Beautiful Stranger
I have a love/hate relationship with my flip flops. I love that they’re easy to throw on, and that they’re cheap. But, I hate how much they hurt my first two toes!!
Nikki
I hate flip flops they put a wedge between your feet and plus I’m 5’1 don’t want to look any shorter
Paola
Omg, I absolutely abhor flip flops. Someone said they’re the summer equivalent of uggs and she couldn’t be more right. I HATE them. Not just flip flops but any kind of open-toed shoe. I live in the desert and people’s feel always look dusty and ugly in them. During the summer, the direct bus to my community college stinks of college student’s feet. Ewww, gross. Just like heels, I don’t see the point of them. There just so much cuter and much more comfortable shoes out there. I don’t own a single pair of flip flops. I might if I have to share a bathroom when I transfer, but that’s about it.
Liane
I hate flip flops. They’re uncomfortable and unattractive. I own a pair for those rare occasions when I have to use a questionable shower but I would never, ever actually walk around in public wearing them. I’m a lady, for heaven’s sake.
Marci
I took the challenge! It was kinda of difficult for me because I wear flip flops all the time and don’t really have any cute shoes (there aren’t a lot of flats that my feet fit right in). I ended up wearing the same pair of sandals every day but one. However, since taking the challenge, I’ve stopped wearing my flip flops as much.
Kyley
I hate flip-flops. I own one pair for walking around my dorm, but that’s it. I never wear them outside.
Jamie
You said it, Liane! I don’t even own a pair of flip flops; can’t stand them. My neices, who practically live in their flip flops year-round, look at me like I’m insane. Personally, I think they’re the insane ones…