havaianas

[monstersX2]

Hi, Have just found this section, think its gonna be my new favourite.

Have been thinking of getting some havaianas but could anyone tell me the difference between these and some of the similar, cheaper ones?

They give me shocking blisters and yet I still wear them, I find after a month or so the sides of my feet give in and toughen up.

Bizarrely I have 3 pairs which range in comfort from lime green - almost slippers, yellow - bearable, brown - instruments of torture. All are real havs.

Also I have almost worn out my yellow ones after just three years, but then I do do an awful lot of walking.

LCCM - Havaianas are great but I find the Ipanemas even softer on the feet. Also (until this thread) you do not see them as much as you see Havs so they have a slightly more unique feel iyswim?

I prefer flip flops with fabric between-toe bits rather than plastic.

Like this

20 quid for a pair of flip flop coffee is my friend I agree birkenstocks are worth the money 20 quid for flip flops no way Id feel like Ive been sucked into the hype.

I like the Accessorize/Monsoon seagrass sole/fabric thong ones. lats ages and so comfy. Havaianas rub and cause blisters for me, and look a little too beachy.

I would buy those ones for 8 pound and feel ok trillanastra.

Totally disagree about the monsoon ones actually. I bought a pair a few years ago and had to take them back less than a week later as a hole had worn right through the sole. I was refused a refund as I was told they were accessories and not actually for walking any distance in. My face was like this

oftenlurking I agree- my Ipanemas are really cushiony and you don't see them about as much. I have 2 pairs of Havaianas (pink and navy) and 2 pairs of the Monsoon seagrassy ones- the beaded bits on the straps come apart quite quickly..

Really? I have hammered my Monsoon flip flops. This is the third summer one pair are going!

anniemac Para rubber! Just brought back memories :)

i must be alone in not loving them- i found them heavy and the sizes are huge!

I am about to trial THESE!

You're all going to hate me for saying this but IMO the hype about Havaianas here is ridiculous!

In Brazil you buy them in the chemist or the supermarket for about £1 (or for a bit more in the tourist shops if they see you coming), they're the basic everyman shoe worn by most of the (incredibly poor) population of Brazil.

I've got a few pairs that I bought when living over there because yes they are comfortable and durable. But it makes me wince a bit to see people paying upwards of £20 here for them. In my opinion there is absolutely nothing different about them than the no-name flip-flops my DP bought in a supermarket for a couple of quid - the same colour as my (bought in Brazil) Havaianas, same material, same pattern on the soles. The only difference is the brand mark. What you're in effect paying for is a set of associations with Brazil.

Got to say, when I saw a pair of second hand Havaianas at a chi-chi vintage market recently I thought that most native Brazilians would be in hysterics. It would for them be like paying £5 for a second-hand comb from Boots. For me there's something ludicrous in the notion that we're paying stupid money for the same flip-flops that people in favelas buy because they can't afford any other shoes.

Love Havaianas, wear little else during the summer. Have even walked up a mountain in them in Italy. They last and are really comfy.

gosh Irene, you only wear Havs?

I bet you are a popular girl !

Thanks for this thread- just ordered 3 pairs of ipanemas- 12 each, bargain!

Love havianas but at 25ish each I cant justify buying new ones- though my white/black basic ones have lasted since australia 2007... and still look fine. They are v comfy- I ordered DP his first pair this summer and he agrees!

Got my first pair this year - they are converting me from my Birkies. I love them. Still really comfy and somehow feel less frumpy than Birkies.

Link please- I've never heard of them (peeps out from under rock)...

Here in Brisbane everyone wears them. I do not as I prefer Birkenstocks. My son who is 15 would wear them all the time. They last for ages. Expensive though at 25 bucks a pair when you can get flip flops or thongs as they are called here for about a dollar in the supermarket.

I know the mark-up in the UK is high, but Havaianas do NOT cost £1 in Brazil. I live in Brazil, I own more pairs than I'll admit to, and the going rate for a plainish pair is about 15 reais, roughly £5. The super-stylish ones run about £10 - more if you add on the little 'gems'. Ipanemas are a bit cheaper.

like any other brand there are bound to be fakes about

these are best

strap at back of foot means they are the most comfortable thing ever

I wear flip flops (to the beach only) and the comfiest ones I've had have been www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=5&Sub=22&PID=3367 . They cost £5.00

I live in mine year round so not only in the summer. DH has bought some fakes and they have certainly not lasted nearly as well as my 'real' ones. I also wear Birkenstocks but feel those are for a different purpose as they don't do well when wet!

I'm 37 weeks pg and it's about 35 degrees outside - havs are about all I can wear at the moment