feel funny about wearing sandals around certain people (guys, light, mens)

[dude2136]

I bought some flip flops for the first time this year after it was suggested by a couple of female friends who were horrified by my gym shoe & crew sock look. While I resisted at first, I found a comfortable pair and grew to enjoy wearing them.

I mainly wear them around the house or in town when running errands...yet I can't bring myself to wear them to let's say a family gathering or a BBQ or a ballgame as the guys in my family/social circle all wear closed toed shoes. At the last gathering, there were a couple of guys wearing sport sandals but very rarely see guys wearing flip flops. Yet if I go to town, most people around my age (20 somethings) seem to be wearing flip flops.

I guess my question is this....is it just my family/social circle that is like this or is it not appropriate for guys to wear flip flops in those situations? Do people actually pay attention to what shoes others are wearing? My family or friends have never seen me in any kind of sandal before and it would feel kinda awkward wearing them all of a sudden. Is there still a stigma regarding guys wearing sandals?

[bmwguydc]

Honestly, I don't think it would be that big a deal to wear your flip flops around your family/close friends. Most people probably would not even notice that you're wearing them, and as long as they are appropriate for the gathering, i.e., not to a formal garden party or dinner, or golfing, etc., then it should be a non-issue.

[fierce_flawless]

No one will care, as long as your toenails aren't nasty, growing fungus, etc. Don't worry about it. If you feel the flip flops are too casual, look for a nicer alternative (flip flops made of suede perhaps, or some other interesting fabric that's not too "shower" looking)...

[Twinkle Toes]

It's not the flip flops they're gonna notice - it's the skirt and frilly top!

[Matt2225]

You may start a new trend in your family, instead of wearing closed toe shoes all of the time. Be different, blaze your own trail here!

[Davachka]

You have nothing to worry about, you will look completely fine and normal.

On a similar note, I have a weird thing about being bare foot around people other than my daughter and husband. If someone comes to the door or comes inside and I'm not wearing anything on my feet I run and put something on first. So we all have our funny issues, but its just us, no one really cares or notices besides us!

[ShayLove]

Rules for wearing sandals:

• If your toes are hanging over the front...... you should not wear sandals
• If the back of your feet looks like concrete..... you should not wear sandals
• If your toenail polish is only on 3 toes..... you should not wear sandals
• If your toes are over lapping..... you should not wear sandals
• If your corns, bunions and/or pinkie toe is hanging out the sides... you should not wear sandals

******IF YOU PUT ON SOCKS WITH YOUR SANDALS........ YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!

[Joe_Ryder]

Originally Posted by ShayLove

Rules for wearing sandals:

******IF YOU PUT ON SOCKS WITH YOUR SANDALS........ YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!

You've clearly never been to northern California or Oregon. Socks and sandals are fairly common. Wait till it's mid-winter and half the guys are wearing socks, sandals, cargo shorts, and a parka. As you move further north into Washington and up to Seattle, men start wearing work boots with their skirts.

Actually they're not womens skirts. Kilts are quite common in Seattle. I guess there's something about living in a cold, wet, and foggy climate like Scotland or Seattle that makes a kilt more practical.

[dude2136]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Honestly, I don't think it would be that big a deal to wear your flip flops around your family/close friends. Most people probably would not even notice that you're wearing them, and as long as they are appropriate for the gathering, i.e., not to a formal garden party or dinner, or golfing, etc., then it should be a non-issue.

I'm sure you're right although there are a few that will notice and make light of it. Whenever someone wears a new article of clothing, there is always someone that point it out and want it a topic of discussion. I'm sure after wearing them a few times, it won't really be a big deal. It's just getting over that initial shock.

[dude2136]

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

No one will care, as long as your toenails aren't nasty, growing fungus, etc. Don't worry about it. If you feel the flip flops are too casual, look for a nicer alternative (flip flops made of suede perhaps, or some other interesting fabric that's not too "shower" looking)...

There's no fungus or any of that lol. The only thing really wrong is there is a little bit of peeling at the bottom of my feet but I"m not sure what to do about that.

The flip flops are leather so hopefully that is good enough for casual gatherings. If an event calls for anything dressier, I'd just wear regular shoes.