Is it just me or have the popularity of sandals skyrocketed in recent years? (guys, product)

[DonkeyKing78]

I don't remember seeing so many people wearing open-toed shoes when I was growing up in the 80s. Now they seem to be everywhere and even guys have dozens (or maybe hundreds) or choices. In the past, it was rare for guys to wear them because they were often seen as feminine. I still have reservations about wearing them sometimes but you can't beat the comfort. Is there anyone that just started wearing them in recent years? Is this just a fad or are sandals here to stay?

[LexusNexus]

Might be due to the relaxation in dress standards across the board and the influx of Indians into this country.

[JanuaryGirl]

A lot of "older" guys have reservations about them still. I think a big part of it is the increasing availability of outdoor "lifestyle" brands and products. In the past decade outdoor brands like Merrell, Keen, The North Face, etc. have become popular for everyday wear instead of being just for people that actually do a lot of stuff outdoors. Now, guys can buy sandals from these brands and they look a little more rugged and less effeminate. When I sold these brands a lot of guys in their 40s-50s (and even 30s) would come in never having worn sandals before. Often it was their wives' idea, but being able to buy brands that they recognized as more "manly" seemed to help.

[LizzySWW]

Originally Posted by Alexus

Might be due to the relaxation in dress standards across the board and the influx of Indians into this country.

The Indians? The ones with the feathers on their heads or the ones from India?

[loose cannon]

I am totally opposed to sandals, flip flops ect. The fad is not as huge as it was a few years prior. But, still troubling nonetheless.

[LuckyGem]

Sandals are supposed to be extremely casual footwear.

The American style of dress has become more and more casual as the years go on.

There is very little etiquette anymore with regard to proper styles of dressing.

I see people wearing sandals, flip flops, and jeans to work in my high rise office building.

I can't say that I like it.

[Pitt Chick]

Sandals were huge in the 70s... they are just cycling around again.

[StarlaJane]

I think they're more popular b/c of climate change--it's getting warmer everywhere so more people are wearing warm-weather footwear *LOL*
I think a lot of it has to do with influential states. Florida and especially Califorinia are big trend setters and are both warm-weather states where people wear warm-weather appropriate shoes, i.e. sandals. So sandals--or any shoe that people in CA or FL are wearing--have become more popular.

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

I think they're more popular b/c of climate change--it's getting warmer everywhere so more people are wearing warm-weather footwear *LOL*
I think a lot of it has to do with influential states. Florida and especially Califorinia are big trend setters and are both warm-weather states where people wear warm-weather appropriate shoes, i.e. sandals. So sandals--or any shoe that people in CA or FL are wearing--have become more popular.

Yep. I've been in California the majority of my life and we wear flip flops and sandals all year round. It's really not unusual to see someone wearing shorts and flip flops when it's raining out

[rickmahorn]

If anything sandals popularity would be declining right now. I'm noticing the low-top casual canvas slip-ons being a popular alternative.