Dear Readers,
If you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know I blacklisted flip flops from my wardrobe at an early age. Okay, to be fair, I do own a pair of Havaianas - but they’re strictly reserved for the sauna or the beach.
The inspiration for today’s newsletter struck a few days ago in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital. Scandinavian minimalism and “Copenhagen girly aesthetics” have been trending for a while now, but what I witnessed with my own eyes felt like a new trend on the block (and as you’ve probably guessed - I wasn’t impressed).
If you land in Copenhagen on a sunny day with temperatures above 20°C, and the odds of spotting flip flops on the streets are sky-high.
The trend has taken such a leap that even luxury houses like Chanel have released their own version - with, of course, a very Chanelesque price tag attached. Gone are the days when flip flops were simple rubber sandals. Now you’ll find them in leather, velvet, and adorned with every imaginable embellishment.
Naturally, I couldn’t rant without research. So, in the spirit of fair journalism (and walking a mile in someone else’s shoes - or flip flops), I decided to test the theory myself.
One sunny morning, I slipped on my flip flops, grabbed a takeaway coffee, popped in my favorite podcast, and headed out for a two-hour walk. By the halfway mark, I realized that if anyone recognized me, my flip-flop boycott could quickly turn into blackmail material. :-)
So how did the experiment turn out?
Let’s start with the positives: I get the whole “let your feet breathe, it’s summer” thing. They feel casual, they give vacation vibes. But that’s where the joy ended.
After 45 minutes, pain crept into my left ankle and right hip. The flip flops felt way too flat, especially on unforgiving concrete. Two hours later, I limped back to the apartment, tossed them into my beach bag, and left them right where they belong.
Trends come and go, and it’s fascinating how irrational we can be in following them (remember my recent article on Labubus?). But, as my university professor used to say, it’s always important to look at theories from different angles. Maybe it’s just my walking style, and maybe the Copenhagen girls really are onto something.
So, which team are you on?
Wishing you a lovely day - wherever you are, and in whatever shoes you’ve chosen to wear.
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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