Beware the killer flip-flop
August 14th, 2009
No self respecting fashionista should ever be caught dead in a pair of flip-flops. I don’t even think that a trip to the beach or lazing by a pool on your summer holiday is a good enough excuse to wear such a footwear abomination. So, you can imagine my glee when scientists revealed some harsh and rather frightening news that should put people all over the world off the ghastly things.
According to a bunch of researchers in the US, cheapo flip-flops can actually kill you! I know it sounds crazy and completely made up, but hear me out. Apparently the dirt and grime that they slosh through every day builds up to such crazy proportions that dangerous bacteria quickly accumulate.
Even designer shoes that are worn for three months gather their fair share of grossness. For example, 20 per cent have E coli, while 93 per cent accumulate fecal bacteria! So, if expensive and sensible shoes garner this kind of rubbish, you can only imagine the extent of the hideousness living in stinky flip-flops.
Dennis Kinney, manager of the microbiology lab at EMSL Analytical told my spies at Marie Claire that the bacteria accumulated can pose serious threats to a person’s health, saying: "It can make you pretty sick if it got into a wound and into your blood, where it could attack any of your internal organs."
Eek! I do not like the sound of this. These findings have reaffirmed my certainty that flip-flops are in fact evil and that they should be avoided at all costs. At most, I’ll stick to my chic gladiator sandals, but I must say, I’m quite looking forward to tucking my tootsies away in nice and safe shoe boots and biker boots this autumn!
Would you dare to brave the dangers of flip-flops?
£199 
£72.00
£200 £68.00
Completely agree with all the other comments, not only do I think that flip flops are comfy but can also be fashionable, and probably quite a lot cleaner than lots of other shoes because of the simplicity behind washing them as well as the fact that if you are like myself you buy a new pair every summer and ditch them when they are worn out unlike your sweaty boots. I’m also not that afraid of the germ paranoia. they are everywhere, deal with it.
So what is wrong with a few bacteria. If we weren’t so keen to disinfect our homes and our lives, we would all be more resistant to infection and therefore healthier.
And anyway, boots and biker boots are a prime breeding ground for bacteria - hot and humid!
Not really sure how you think that gladiator sandals are going to be less susceptible to bacteria than flip flops, fairly certain the holes will let in as much dirt and grime while you are sloshing round the streets! Think I will stick to my washable flip flops!
what a load of complete rubbish-shoe snobbery indeed.
i wear my flip-flops with pride,and clean feet.
I love my havaianas and wouldn’t be without them! What’s more they’re probably cleaner than any other footgear since - being rubber - I wash them frequently.
I completely dissagree with the opinion that no self respecting fashionista would wear flip flops. These days you can find expensive ranges which can look great as well as feel fresh on the feet. As far ar germs are concerned, well if you don’t wash regularly than I expect you’ll have more to worry about than just your feet getting germs!
Honestly, do you believe everything you read?!
My flip flops are washed in the machine every few days so they wont kill me lol
What a load of stupidity about flip flops…who is the moron responsible for mailing such assinine opinions?
I wear my flips every day,could not live with out them, more concerned about the muck & germs in the air i breath than a bit of dust on my feet.I can wash my feet when ever i want but i can`t get to my lungs and clean them!!!!!
Flip flops are alright….