subject: Sandal Footwear Makes A Fashionable And Historical Imprint [print this page] Of course, we know the sandal shoe was most likely the first form of shoe wear for early humans. Alongside the moccasin-style, shoe sandals were created in their earliest forms from papyrus, reeds, straw, and other types of natural materials which could easily be found in places such as Mesopotamia and Greece. During these time periods, any type of footwear represented wealth and power, so most Egyptians walked barefoot. However, the sandal shoe was worn in environments that could be uncomfortable to naked feet.
King Tut was no stranger to sandal footwear. And in fact, discoveries of gold sandals have been found. While stylish, they could not have been very comfortable (although what woman hasn't sacrificed comfort for beauty on her feet from time to time?). In Tut's tomb were found more than 90 pieces of footwear. Perhaps most interesting was a pair of sandal shoes which depicted enemies on the soles, allowing him to tread on them with each step.
Increasingly, soldiers or those who traveled often began to employ the use of the shoe sandals for comfort and wear. The British Museum displays an ancient pair of sandal shoes, or thongs, made of papyrus and dating to around 1500 B.C. Egyptian hieroglyphics can be seen depicting Egyptian rulers wearing shoe sandals.
While the Mesopotamians and Egyptians did develop some sandal footwear, it was the early inhabitants of Italy who made real strides in this area. Unlike the sandy environs of Iraq and Egypt, the Italian peninsula could prove hazardous to those walking barefoot. The early inhabitants of Italy, the Etruscans and the Romans developed a range of footwear to handle the changing terrain of Italy.
Perhaps it's not so odd after all that the country is shaped like a boot, because heavy boots for traveling in colder climates or for the military, were created by the Romans. Light shoe sandals were also employed for indoor and outdoor wear. Both types of footwear were created primarily using leather. From there, the Roman sandal shoes were born. Would the Romans be shocked to know that such a utilitarian shoe sandal would be considered one of the most popular in women's footwear today?
Today's Roman sandal is a variation of the basic sandal shoes worn by the Romans, called a "calceus." Covering the entire foot, it was held together with thongs or leather laces. A light shoe sandals made of leather or papyrus, the "crepida" was worn indoors and held to the foot by a strap across the top of the foot.
What we most recognize today as sandal footwear is the flip flop, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Historians point out that the flip flop has been used in some form or fashion in Japan since the Heian period (794-1185). Many Japanese children learn to walk wearing traditional flip flops.
One of America's most popular forms of footwear began making its appearance stateside following World War II. Many soldiers brought Japanese zori, of flip flops, back as souvenirs. The look really caught on when soldiers of the Korean War returned home wearing flip flops. However, the sandal footwear didn't last long as it was poorly made.
In the 1950s, shoe designers redesigned the flip flop, making it more durable and producing it in bright, fun colors. The carefree and informal lifestyle of California beach bums quickly adopted this look, especially within the surf community. Suddenly, flip flops could be found in dime stores across the country.
While originally meant for warm climates and seasons, the flip flop has transformed into a kind of iconic sandal footwear meant for any occasion. Our more casual approach to style and fashion in the 21st century makes sandal footwear ideal with shorts and jeans, or even more high fashion. From Kate Moss to the girl next door, the style is accessible to anyone. Whether bedecked in bright colors or Swarovski crystals, flip flops represent a go-to fashion item for nearly any occasion. One could say they are as American as apple pie, blue jeans and t-shirts. No longer considered just an accessory, sandal footwear represents a stylish and innovative choice for today's styles.
Especially exciting has been the customization of the flip flop. Forget the papyrus and cheap rubber of our flip flop predecessors. Today's choices have interchangeable style straps of various colors and styles. These customized flip flops allow the wearer to choose one sole and then change the look of the shoe repeatedly by mixing and matching various straps. Our ancient ancestors could never have predicted the fashion opportunities sandal footwear would someday represent. Fortunately for us, we're reaping the benefits of comfort and style from the imprints of 10,000 B.C.
