With the injured toe taking over my life… and prohibiting me from wearing heels or covered shoes in general, I went and picked up a pair of pretty Ipanema sandals. No idea what they are called so if you know, do let me know.
They are pretty – you gotta admit that. It goes well with my Red Hot Tamale nails and allows my feet freedom to move without hurting any toe. It also goes well with both skirts/dresses and pants and best of all, takes me to work without looking too frumpy. I was wearing my FitFlops all of last week and comfy as they were, it was looking just a tad frumpy and too casual. I tried the Electra (the one with the sequins) but sequins aren’t my thing.
However, 1 week of pattering around in these flat sandals or flip flops has played havoc with my legs and back. If I walk too long in them, my legs hurt and then my back hurts.
Because its flat like a flip flop, there is no arch and heel support and thats bad for our archilles tendon. Being flat footed myself, this is a double whammy to my feet. By the end of the day, my back and calf muscles are a wreck. So its not just heels that kill your back, flats that have no support do it too!
So, when it comes to wearing flip flops, I’m going to stick to my FitFlops – they may cost me a bomb and do nothing for my tush, but they have been good for my legs and back as they offer some support. I’ve worn them for long distance walking and have suffered nothing more than tired feet as opposed to tired legs and an aching back.
That said, Ipanema sandals or Havaianas or pretty sandals or flip flops in general are very pretty on the feet. However, these Ipanema sandals or pretty flip flops in general will do for looking pretty on the feet and perhaps the beach but I’d keep them for when I won’t be on my feet too much. I know that I certainly cannot walk down a shopping belt in any city in these. These old bones can’t quite handle too much of this abuse anymore 😉
Tip when buying Ipanema sandals: Size up. Buy a size larger than your usual size or if you know your European size, match it to the Brazilian size for better fit.
Have you found flats or flip flops bad for your back too? Will you still wear pretty flip flops or flat even if your legs or back hurt?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Hi, Paris. Ipanema is a city in Brazil and the name of a very beautiful song “the girl from Ipanema” (bossa nova). Your sandals look very pretty, sorry to hear they are not comfortable for you.
Hi Liliana
I’d love to visit Ipanema some day! 😀 Yeah the sandals are pretty and comfy but just not for long distances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmV0TcTNJ3o this is the link to the song…
I run barefoot during my primary schools days. Because of that, my feet developed muscles (I’m still flat footed) so, my feet legs and back don’t hurt even though I wear slippers with little support.
But there is a down side to this. I am not used to running in shoes so when I joined the track and field team in secondary school, I had to force myself to get used to running in shoes. Managed races in them. But I was a little slower. there is a method to running/walking barefoot or in shoes/slippers with little support. I do not know how to explain this, but the way you land would be different.
and about the pretty sandels, my friend has a pair too. But for hers, the sole doesn’t have any designs. It’s just plain black.
Hi Ms. Blacklace
Gosh! A runner! 🙂 I guess you might have perfected the art of walking on flats. Unfortunately I can’t in any flats not just flip flops 🙂
I own one ipanema too~~love it..^^
Hi jean
Glad to know that
I’m not flat-footed but I completely relate to the aching feet followed by an aching back with Havaianas’ flip flops (though I know they’re more or less beach footwear). But because of years of wearing flats and flipflops without consciously maintaining a good posture when my back starts to ache (read: super duper tired!), I’ve developed some complications on the lower back area and now have to attend osteopath sessions to correct it.
My best slippers bought so far are Birkenstocks because of its support arch 🙂 But of course, conscious effort to always stand correctly “chin up, shoulders back, spine up straight, bum tucked in” helps!
Hi Mchelle
I’m so glad someone relates to my condition! I’ve read about it online and its to do with how the tendons in our feet respond to flats i.e. lack of support hence the tired backs. Fitflops are like Birkenstocks – good support for the feet. I guess we’re going to have to stick to those 🙂
I usually wear flat shoes or flip flops to everywhere I go because they are easy to wear(there is no need for socks!). I don’t have much problems with them though, and my bf’s mum is going to buy me an Ipanema soon. Now I am wondering whether the Ipanema would be comfortable for me like my other flip flops. Anyway, thanks for the guide, because I have been wondering whether I should take size 3 or 4!!!
Hi Cyndi
Ipanemas are super comfy. Way better than most flip flops I know or have worn. I’m not talking about Ipanemas being uncomfortable in particular but about flats and flip flops in general. If you are buying them sight unseen, I suggest you find your EUR size and get the same number in BRA size the US/UK sizes are screwy for me
I’m flat footed and I always wear flip flops with lots of padding! I wll try the fit flops!
Hi Jamilla
I think you’re going to love fit flops! You can get them in the UK online or in store.
I am wearing Ipanema flip flops all the while and there seems no problem for me. comfortable and pretty. I am flat-footed too. =D
Hi Jin
I guess you’re lucky… or young! 😉
I have one pair too! I bought them in switzerland. Can’t wear too long in them. Too flat.
Hi Shay
Another one who relates! 🙂
Your pair looks so pretty!! It’s a shame that it hurts you ya!! 🙁
I don’t have a problem with my Tevas though, since there is an arch to support my foot, and the soft base moulds to your feet for a custom fit! 🙂
Hey Jenn
Oh I love Tevas too! Not the prettiest of sandals but I love the support it has.
I don’t get back ache but to get a little rubber burn on my toes were the strap touches the skin. That’s usually if I do heavy duty walking tho, like last sunday when my boyfriend and I were taking my English cousin around to see the sights and suddenly decided to climb Batu Caves *faints* The slippers were still good for the next 5 hours of shopping in Pavillion after that but my heels did need a little TLC from a pumice stone and some good foot cream at the end of the day.
You are absolutely right, wearing flip flops most of the time, like wearing heels, can cause extensive damage on one’s foot. I suppose one might not feel the effects of it until after it’s too late, as damage accumulate over time.
I never wear flip flops since I developed plantar fascitis, I do wear Birkenstock and Crocs particularly it’s Rx line. I do admit that those can be frumpy and makes my legs look really short, but I would rather look frumpy than suffer irreversible damage to my foot.
Sorry to hear that ParisB. I’ve been wearing mine for more than 5 years now and it fits be best. Maybe coz I am webbed footed but then I do buy them a size slightly bigger coz I notice the sides can be a little tight. Maybe that particular sandals isn’t meant for you. Well I can’t wear Crocs anyways. It doesn’t fit me correctly. 🙂 Maybe coz it’s different for everyone.
I am a Brazilian girl who just hates those finger-held flip-flops – but I am an exception to the rule. Havaianas here are quite popular, everyone owns 2 pairs or more. But women here are more into the platform type of Havaianas. Much more support and grace to prance around the streets.
bought my first pair yesterday and used it today, the design already came off 🙁
My shoes of choice were ballet flats because i find heels difficult to walk in and even if i do,ill only use it for weddings etc. Now though i couldnt walk 30 minutes on my flats without fweling pain in my ankles, knees, hip, left and sometime right side pelvic bone and back. When my pelvic gets painful i need to stop and rest for 5 minutes before i could walk again. Over the years i think i developed flatfootedness due to my daily wear of ballet flats. So i decided to get a pair of scholl massage shoes. The design is alright if i were to wear it during the weekend but i get up/down eye checks and stares when i wear it to work but i dont care what people might think because it really did help easing all of the pain i had when was using those flats.