Slippers

I had a walk around the vicinity of Ayala yesterday together with some friends. It was a light alternative to the strenuous exercise video that we had days ago. After the walk, we bought some fruits and paid a visit to our sick friend. After an hour of watching a foreign talent show, eating, and a repartee during commercial breaks we headed on our way home, this time because of the late hour by means of a jeepney.

As we stepped in, a man in mid 40s seated in front of me looked at our slippers and from then on my attention was caught by the comment that he uttered. Despite the low and almost whisper baritone voice, I heard it with unimpaired clarity. “I do not understand why some people wear slippers with grapes on it”, with disgust in his face.

Some writers say that slippers originated in Egypt while some say it originated from Asia particularly in Vietnam (Hanoi). Originally slippers were used to protect the sole of the feet from the harshness of the field and the ground while laboring for the day. Moreover, it sought to protect the feet from the scorching heat of the ground as well as the cold and wet rain.  As years passed by people improved and communities developed. Concurrently, slippers also evolved both in its utility and purpose. Slippers became the most common footwear for all people from different walks of life. Thus, it became an equalizing factor of the society. Designers and brands outwit each other to innovate, develop and improve the slippers to suit the current trends in the fashion industry. They build and released slippers that protects the feet and at the same time expresses a person’s individuality. Hence, slippers of all sorts flourished in the market—thick and thin, long and bulky, colored and dark, including those with dangles and hanging and swaying as the wearer walk.

I believe the man on the jeepney was referring to the famous slipper brands (with their infamous imitations). I came to ponder on his point. People nowadays buy slippers not for its utility but because of its brand, you know it, slippers have now become a status symbol. As for me, I agree with the man on the jeepney, I wear slippers for convenience and for style, nothing more nothing less. I do not buy a slipper to show off how much it costs but I consider comfort top most. Brand me a style or fashion miser it does not matter because more often than not it is all about carrying yourself well rather than what you wear.

4/2/2011

11:37 am

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