Flip-Flops (Hardcover)
Jul/090
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2AThis sweet story features Penny, an African-American youngster who goes, somewhat unwillingly, to the beach with her mother. As they leave, Penny can only find one of her flip-flops and, once they reach their destination, she uses it to fan herself and dig in the sand. After a lonely, boring start, she meets red-headed Meggie and they become friends, tumbling, playing catch, chasing seagulls, and rescuing stranded starfish. At the end (more…)
Tips for Maintaining your Sandals
Jul/090
Shoes are just as important as the rest of the outfit that they accompany. However, the only tasks that many people perform with them is putting them on and taking them off. This is bad news because without proper care shoes will not last very long and can even cause injury to the feet. Care is especially important for sandals because more of the foot is exposed. By taking just a few moments to maintain your sandals you can ensure that they stay in good condition and continue to adequately protect your feet from the elements.
General Tips
All sandals are heat intolerant and must not come in contact with heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator. During the warm months sandals should not be stored in places where there is no ventilation or the temperature is extreme, such as in a car with the windows rolled up. Unless the sandals are made of rubber, they should not connect with water. To remove stains that appear on waterproof beach sandals, all you need to use is lukewarm water and gentle soap. If this does not remove the stain, it is recommended that you seek a professional shoe repair service instead of trying different cleaners.
An extra step in caring for sandals is to allow them to air out. Sandals are made to absorb moisture to keep the feet cool; however, you should give them a chance to release the moisture. Wearing a pair of sport sandals, such as those made by Adidas, for an extended period can cause moisture and an unpleasant odor to accumulate. Some shoes, such as Birkenstock sandals, have removable soles that easily provide an opportunity for the sandals to breathe.
Special Materials
Sandals that are made of leather and suede require care beyond general maintenance. Leather is especially sensitive to water. A good example are leather NAOT sandals, which when they become wet, the chemicals that are used to hold the sandals together can soften and in a short amount of time render the shoes unfit for wearing. Salt water is especially dangerous to leather because it is caustic. If sandals that become in contact with salt water have metals parts, they should be rinsed. Only a polish that is intended for leather should be used to remove incidental scratches. Applying polish on a regular basis will also keep the sandals flexible.
The first step in caring for suede sandals is to apply a spray or dissolving cream that waterproofs the shoes. This product helps prevent shoes from staining in the event they become wet. Designer suede shoes, such as Birkenstock sandals, have their own cleaning and protective products. Gentle brushing is all that is needed to keep a pair of suede special occasion sandals free of dust.
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Walking Like an Egyptian – the Evolution of Sandals
Jul/090
In the world of fashion, styles of the past often make a return to the present. The basic construction of sandals today (a sole joined to the feet by straps) is very similar in composition to the sandals that were worn by ancient Egyptians. The sole of ancient sandals was typically flat with a thin strap in the shape of the letter Y that split the big toe and second toe and fastened to both sides of the foot. While there are many similarities in the past sandals, there have been many changes.
The big difference in ancient Egyptian sandals and those of today is the material that is used to make the sandals. Ancient Egyptians didn’t have the assortment of materials that are available to shoemakers today. In the present day we have beach sandals made of rubber or other waterproof material and dress sandals that may consist of suede components. In ancient times sandals were typically constructed of one material – papyrus leaves.
Sandals and Class
In ancient Egypt there was a clear division between the upper and lower classes. All had to deal with the hot Egyptian ground, but Egyptian art seems to indicate that sandals were only part of the attire of royalty. This is a distinct difference in the impression of sandals today. Sandals are probably the most universal shoes in the world-they are suitable for just about everyone.
As is true today, sandals of ancient Egypt were worn by both men and women. When the lower and upper class wore sandals, however, there were distinctions that kept the classes separate. It is believed that some upper class Egyptian women ornamented their sandals with jewels and other embellishments. Women still want more in their sandals. In addition to jewel ornaments, the sandals of today are available in a variety of colors, fabrics, and heel heights. Anne Klein sandals include a style of platinum dress sandals that have jewels and stones on its center strap. These sandals are definitely a change from the basic style of sandals of ancient Egypt.
The division of the classes in footwear was also practiced by the men of ancient Egypt. The sandals worn by Pharaohs differed from those worn by common workers in the material. Leather was reserved for upper class men, such as Pharaohs and priests. Common working men wore sandals made of papyrus leaves and other materials they could find.
Sandals are still as popular as they were in ancient Egypt, and will probably continue to embody styles of times past.
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The Many Faces of Sandals – Sandal Types Defined
Jul/090
You will see a lot of confusing terms thrown around to describe sandals – here is a short glossary that will have you keeping your friends on their toes with your impressive knowledge of the world of sandals! In addition we will tell you where to wear these styles.
GladiatorThis sandal often has many straps on the sole to hold the foot to the upper sole, and one thick band that goes around the ankle. They are so named as gladiators wore this type of sandal when fighting. Perfect for the nightclub.
Sport SandalsAny sandal specifically designed for hiking or other activities. Most of the more “comfortable” sandals fit in this category. You will frequently see them being worn by men and students in the summer – these more casual sandals are best kept to casual settings and out of the office or the dance floor.
Flip-FlopSo named for the sound that they make when the wearer walks, the flip-flop or zori sandal is loosely secured to the foot by means of a strap in between the toes. The flip-flop originated from the Japanese zori, which was formally worn with white socks – at least they weren’t black! Flip-flops are best reserved for the beach or around the house only.
City SandalThis popular term means a sandal that you would not take hiking – effectively the opposite of a sport sandal. They are made for getting around sidewalks without getting stuck and are usually quite dressy in their design. Work appropriate sandals.
Evening SandalsAn evening sandal is meant to look hot. Choose an evening sandal with a thicker heel if you plan to spend some time dancing – a thinner, more sophisticated heel is perfect for dinner and casual conversation with friends.
Special Occasion SandalsThis term usually applies to bridal sandals, but can refer to a dressier evening sandal as well. A very dressy occasion or a wedding call for these sandals.
EspadrilleA flat sandal with a flexible sole and fabric upper. Good for a more casual office or an outing with friends.
HuaracheA sling-backed sandal with a small heel and an upper consisting of woven leather strips. Again a more casual sandal.
ClogA heavy sandal with a thick sole. The popular clogs on the market today incorporate a cork heel. Depending on the dressiness of the upper, these sandals can be work, dinner, or even dance appropriate.
T-StrapA T-Strap comes up between the toes and hooks onto an ankle strap to hold the foot firmly in place with minimal coverage of the foot. Perfect for days at the beach or those first few days of summer when you want to get some sun on your feet. A casual sandal meant for evenings and weekends out, not an office option.
Toe Loop The toe loop or toe ring sandal will keep the little toe firmly in place; also a very popular style this season! Similar to the T-Strap, the casual nature of this sandal usually mean it is best confined to areas outside of the corporate cubicle.
WedgesA wedge sandal sports a wedge heel, a heel that incorporates a thick sole capped off with a small heel. This is more of a style for a dress sandal, and one that is quite fashionable due to the pleasing shape of the wedge. As per the clog, the wedge’s suitability for a particular spot all depends on the dressiness of its upper. Wedges are frequently made into dressier sandals – there isn’t that much that is casual about them!
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Choosing the Right Sandals for your Outfit
Jun/090
A big mistake that people make when wearing sandals is not making sure that their footwear compliments their outfit. This is a huge mistake because wearing the wrong sandals can completely sabotage your look. In the converse, choosing the right sandals can actually add life to an outfit. So, how do you choose the right sandals? There are essentially three points to consider when selecting a pair of sandals to wear with an outfit.
Match the Occasion
Probably the most significant concern when selecting a pair of sandals is the occasion. Ladies know that they shouldn’t wear a pair of flip flop sandals with an evening gown, and men should be way too familiar with the faux pas of wearing socks with sandals. What may not appear so obvious is that casual beach shoes, such as Adidas sandals, are not appropriate with business casual khakis. A pair of brown Hushpuppies, however, is suitable for a men’s business casual work outfit.
For men, the key to knowing how to select the most suitable pair of sandals for the occasion is to consider the material. Leather sandals are more appropriate for less casual occasions while rubber soles or Velcro closures are the materials of choice for moderately casual affairs.
Match the Style
Women have a more difficult time determining what style of sandals is appropriate for an occasion because material is not typically a distinguishing characteristic of their sandals. When considering the styles of sandals that will work best for an outfit, women may want to consider the style of the outfit. The heel of sandals is generally what differentiates the styles of sandals for women. Dress kitten heel sandals are versatile while high heel dress sandals are more suitable for dresses. Other dressy sandal styles for women include peep toe sandals, platform sandals, and slingback sandals. These styles are soft and feminine in appearance and feature a delicate heel. Baby Phat flip flop sandals and flat sandals by Clarks sandals do not have a heel. These styles are more fitting for jeans, shorts, or other casual outfits.
Match the Color
A final sandal selection method for an outfit is color. Women have so many choices when it comes to sandal color. It is also common to find sandals for women with several colors, such as Ecco sandals and the very unique sandal styles by Etnies.
At one time, sandals for men were mostly earthy in nature, such as brown or tan dress sandals. While these colors are still prevalent in dress sandals for men, there are now more colorful varieties for men. Timberland offers a colorful selection of dress sandals, including cognac and griege dress sandals. A word of caution is necessary for men when matching their outfit to their sandals. Before branching out into the newer more colorful sandals, men should also consider the occasion.
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