Page 7 - Ben Keen

There is nothing as timeless as a pair of black flip flops. Their understated power resides in their versatility. Black flip flops can be styled with any outfit in your closet, no matter the occasion.

Black flip flops have a sleek, effortless allure that never goes out of style. They are the tried and tested summer staple everyone should have in their wardrobe. You can whip them on with jeans, shorts or dresses, wear them to the beach or dress them up for formal occasions - there is nothing they can’t do.

But even under the umbrella term of “black flip flops”, the options seem endless, and they might as well be. There is a black flip flop out there for every style and budget, from minimalist, thin straps that leave behind minimal tan lines to glittery, embellished and printed options that show off your personality every step of the way.

Check out our list of black flip flops made for any occasion.

Ipanema Bossa

Ipanema Diamond

Reef Sandy

We get asked this a lot and we also get asked if one is a copy of the other. In some ways they’re very similar and in others they are really very different. We’ve found that people that have worn one of these brands for a couple years simply cannot wear the other brand and the main reason for this is because they’re made of different material and so they feel very different when you first put them on.

Ipanema are made from EVA which feels softer when you first put them on, the EVA also allows for the anatomical sole shapes which further the feeling of comfort.

Havaianas are made from rubber which makes them feel more stiff than Ipanema when they’re first put on, but given a bit of use your Havaianas will ease in and very quickly become just as comfortable if not more than the Ipanema.

The other difference is that rubber is much more hard wearing than the EVA so you’ll find Havaianas tend to last much longer and in better

Packing for long-term travel can be tough - and by long term travel we mean anything lasting longer than a fortnight. What do you need? How many pairs of underwear should you pack? How many litres should your rucksack be? What even is an ESTA? It’s so easy to get lost in packing your whole life into a bag, that it’s easy to forget the essentials (other than your passport and money, of course). Luckily for you, we’ve been there and learnt the hard way about not taking these top ten essential items!

From Scotland’s army of midges or mozzies the size of pterodactyls in India, there is always a need for some reliable bug spray whilst on the road. If you’re not into pouring Deet all over your body, a splash of water lily oil smells like you’ve just stepped out of The Little Princess and keeps those pesky biting insects away. Win, win.

Buy a travel first aid kit from your nearest outdoor store and then double up on zinc oxide tape, plasters and hand sanitizer. Whether

Moisturising is key to keeping your feet looking and feeling great. The skin on your feet is twelve times thicker than on the rest of your body, so we recommend using a specially formulated foot cream. We love Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream for intensive hydration and to help protect from infections, irritation and inflammation. Image Margaret Dabbs London.

Closed shoes and socks can make your feet sweat and trap moisture, so sandals are the perfect solution for warm days. Finding flip flops that are easy to clean doesn’t have to mean plastic and rubber – all Salt-Water sandals come with rustproof buckles so can be worn in the water and hand washed with a gentle detergent. Image Felicia Lee Finnie for Salt-Water.

Are you planning to wear high-heels for a party or event? If so, always put your heels on at the last minute and avoid wearing them for long periods of time. Keep a pair of Reef Stargazers in your bag to slip into later or for the stumble home.

Christmas is all about the surprises. Unusual and individual gifts, like the lively Havaianas Slim Tie-Dye Flip Flops or the Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor guaranteed to get the conversation started (most likely: “where did you get THOSE?”)

These Crocs Blitzen winter clogs make the perfect alternative to socks for the men around the house. That’s the husband, boyfriend, brother and Dad sorted.

If you know someone who’s got a cheeky winter break planned, wrap up a pair of the ultimate getaway flip flops: Ipanema women's Paraiso Birds flip flops or Havaianas Slim Tropical.

Buying winter footwear for fashion conscious aficionados can be a bit of a minefield. Designer flip flops like the FitFlop Crystall will never disappoint.

Skip the jewellery or perfume this Christmas and go for some sparkly numbers like Havaianas Luna Special. These look amazing

With over 40 years of experience selling flip flops under our belt, we have seen many trends come and go. Sometimes trends stick out right away, and sometimes the most unexpected styles take the world by storm, but no matter what happens, we’re always on the scene and ready to report on the latest fashion. We’ve broken down the main flip flop and sandal trends of 2021 to get you ready for the summer.

The recurring themes this year are definitely colour and stand out pieces. Perhaps a side-effect of last years’ isolation, in 2021 we’re all about the bright and the bold, and we’re here for it!

First made popular in the 60s, the tie-dye print has been a recurring trend for decades now, and this summer is no exception. It’s nostalgic, fun, and definitely something that screams summer!

These Havaianas Top Fashion flip flops are ideal to get you started on this trend!

Sure, they’re not your typical flip flops, but when you think about it, it makes sense!

So, it’s once again that gorgeous time of year when much of the UK population retires its winter boot collections and bust out the flip flops. It’s not as if the UK is blessed with enough sunny days not to take advantage of every last one of them, so it’s hardly surprising flip flop fanatics fly out in force over the summer months.

But while there’s no denying the appeal of flip flops as fab footwear, how about literally having your life saved by a pair of these simple summer shoes? It sounds pretty ludicrous, but if you take a look at some of the more standout headlines from summers gone by…well, let’s just say you might never look at your own flip flops the same again!

So, to save you trawling through the press, we thought we’d share with you four of our favourite and wholly fantastic flip flop headlines you might find hard to believe:

Rob and Paul Forkan were lucky to survive

It's the sense of peace, calm and space from practicing yoga that inspired actor and Garden Classroom teacher Viv Rowdon to train as a yoga teacher last year.

"Taking the time to concentrate on your breath can have such powerful effects on everything from your body image through to dealing with anxiety and self-esteem," explains Viv. She now uses the breathing techniques that she's learnt through yoga in her work with young children.

Viv switches from trainers and boots to her favourite Salt-Water at the first hint of spring.

Having a shoe with a flexible sole is important, and Viv often wears her Salt-Water sandals with tights on colder spring days

We also caught up with cold-water swimmer Sarah Dickinson to find out what attracts her to ice-cold water (brrr!).

"It's a complete mood changer, you always feel more positive after a quick dip. It's good for you physically but also mentally – it's an amazing way to de-stress, get some perspective,