Havaianas

I remarked to my husband last night that the day Havaianas flipflops became the casual dress standard was the day common decency died. Stepping out in your rubber slippers (yes, stripped of the fancy name and the Hollywood-association, that’s what Havaianas is) used to be unthinkable, reserved for that quick trip on rainy mornings to the neighborhood sari-sari store for breakfast pandesal. These days, it’s easy, unavoidable even, to spot the colorful, slip-on “sandals” (with various accoutrements attached to justify its preposterous price tag) in the malls and in church (in church for chrissakes!).

I own 3 pairs, I admit. But these days, I wear them only around the house and to the nearby yoga studio (and perhaps the beach). Not because they’ve ceased to be in vogue, mind you (Havaianas stores are almost always packed with shoppers), but because I’ve come to realize that wearing “houseware” out is, well, simply, rude.

My disapproval of Havaianas is not a statement against fashion. Crocs are uglier, certainly. And those plastic Melissa-brand pumps (whether wedged or flat) make you look just as shoddy and cheap. This is a point about decency, and common courtesy.

Wearing slippers out (whether they are Havaianas, Ipanemas or the more jolog Spartan or Islander, it doesn’t matter), says that you’re not going anywhere, doing anything, or seeing anyone important. It’s like stepping out of the house in your pajamas, without having brushed your teeth. (And don’t get me started about wearing open-toed shoes without a proper pedicure!).

I don’t care how comfortable those darn flipflops are. Havaianas are outdoor footwear for the bad-mannered.