Hoodie and Flip-flop season that is!
In the very rare and weird case that you don't know what a hoodie or flip-flops are, let me explain. A hoodie is a jacket with a hood. Simple enough, right? Generally they have a zipper as opposed to pulling it over your head. Although both are technically hoodies, I personally prefer the zipper as you can then match your shirt to your hoodie and wear it as an accessory to your outfit rather than just a jacket to keep you warm.
Flip-flops are what Australians call "thongs." In America though, a "thong" is underwear worn by young women who want to appear as if they have no pantie line in their tight pants, or who want to seem easy by letting the top strings peek out of their pants to resemble something like a slingshot. Flip-flips however, are shoes, or sandals if you will. They are made of a flat sole with a Y shaped strap that holds between the first and second toes. Very freeing indeed.
So why the hype about hoodies and flip-flops? For starters, they're just plain comfortable! Comfortable and fun! A hoodie can be any color, pattern or length you prefer. It isn't just a jacket, but a fashion statement. Personally, I wear the short hoodies that only cover the upper chest with dresses, baggy hoodies with tighter clothing, or an outrageously vivid hoodie with my dark solid color slacks to add just a little bit of pizazz to my mundane "business casual" attire. Flip-flops can be just as outrageous, or a solid color, but are super easy to match to anything! Two pair could last you an entire "season" - One in black and one in a lighter bright color of your preference - You now have all the shoes you need from May to October!
Another reason is the signification of the "season" itself - "Hoodie and Flip-flop season" runs from the first nice day in May (no need to wait until Memorial Day) until about Halloween or some time after depending on your current earthly location. Which is basically an extended summer. Who doesn't want to believe their summer is longer than the three months designated by the school system? Being a working adult, I don't get a summer vacation or a three month stint away from work, so I will choose to make my "summer" as long as I damn well please. If wearing hoodies and flip-flops instead of coats and shoes means one can pretend it is summer for 7 months instead of 3, then doesn't this season explain it's own reason for being? "Hoodie and Flip-flop season" is an easy fun way for adults to pretend they are enjoying themselves more so than if they were doing the same thing they would be doing anyway, but didn't get to be a little comfortable and expressive while doing it.
At the end of the day, you could chalk the whole thing up to laziness (picking one jacket and slipping on shoes instead of contemplating an entire outfit) but it doesn't detract from the fact that it still makes you feel good. Yes, quite often it is the simple things in life that make us feel the best. So kick off your shoes and slip into your flip- flops. Hang up your coat and grab a hoodie. Relax and let a little color make the smile on your face even wider. It's hoodie and flip-flop season...embrace it for as long as you can!
Cheerfully yours,
Sarah M.
