Arlington residents have long been teased for their summer footwear fashion sense, but an anonymous, self-appointed member of the fashion police is hoping to change that.
A sign posted on N. Highland Street in front of Delhi Club implores passersby “This year let’s not do flip flops,” and it is signed, ungrammatically: “Thank you, an arlington county services message.”
So far, there is no indication of who posted the sign.
Fashion, however, might not be the only beneficiary of an anti-flip-flop trend; there could be health benefits as well. The flip-flops that can be seen adorning the feet and exposing the toes of many Arlington men and women as soon as the weather gets warm could actually be safety risks.
National Flip-Flop Day is June 19 this year. A smoothie cafe in Virginia Square annually gives everyone wearing flip-flops a free smoothie to celebrate the holiday.
Friday is apparently the 8th annual “National Flip Flop Day,” and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe store in Virginia Square will be giving out free smoothies to mark the occasion.
From 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., the store at 3811 N. Fairfax Drive will be giving away free 24 ounce strawberry banana smoothies to anyone wearing flip flops, according to owner Marcus Barnett.
“This is a nationwide event that all Tropical Smoothies will be participating in and is absolutely free to anyone that comes in wearing flip flops,” Barnett told ARLnow.com. “Donations will be accepted… all proceeds will go to benefit Camp Sunshine.”
Camp Sunshine is a retreat in Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses. It’s offered free of charge to children and their immediate families and offers on-site medical and psychosocial support.
According to the Capital Weather Gang, yesterday was the coolest day in the D.C. area — and the first day where the temperature failed to reach 70 degrees — since May 14.
Although warmer weather is forecast for the rest of the week, we were wondering if yesterday’s fall-like temperatures are prompting locals to pack away that Arlington summer staple, the flip flop.
At what temperature do you consider it too cold to wear flip flops?
The ubiquitous brown flip flop may be hazardous to your health, according to an article in the Washington Post.
The Post reports that podiatrists are treating a rash of flip flop-related injuries in the D.C. area, including one District-based foot doctor who treats at least one flip flop injury per day during the warm-weather months.
The health dangers of flip flops include stress fractures of the metatarsals, plantar fasciitis, cuts, bruises and sunburn, according to the article. But the scientific evidence is a bit thin.
“Very few studies have looked at the pros and cons of flip-flops,” the Post notes. Perhaps researchers can interview a few of Arlington’s bevy of dudes in brown flip flops.
Said the tipster who sent us the link: “Breaking news! Residents of Clarendon need to be alerted immediately.”
