This week I spent my monthly clothing budget on a second pair of "good" flip flops. I know there's a bit of a hate-on for flip flops going on here, but I love them, and I thought I'd explore it a bit.

I should first of all clarify that these flip flops are not the hot-pink-plastic-with-foam-sole kind that you wear to the beach (although I do own old, trashed beach flops for those times when I'm actually at the beach!). I prefer the quality leather ones with arch support -- the kind that would get ruined if you wore them in the water. (The ones I bought are by Olukai, a make that's new to me, but so far I'm impressed).

So here's why I like them:

1. They look good with shorts, crops, loose jeans, tight jeans, breezy skirts, denim skirts -- pretty much all casual bottoms -- as well as casual dresses. Summer is a casual season, especially in Vancouver, and especially if you're a MOTG with young kids. Do I want to wear cute heeled sandals to the water park? Nope.

2. You can slip them on hands-free while you're schlepping all your park gear out the door. You can also slip them off easily when you go up the playground climbing wall, or into the wading pool.

3. The v-shape formed by the leather thong bit -- along with all that exposed ankle -- is seriously leg-lengthening, yet the shoe is dead flat. This means I have the comfort and convenience of a flat but can still wear them with a knee-length skirt, and not look all stumpy-legged. I can also wear them with a short skirt or short shorts, without looking like I'm trying to be sexy.

4. They breathe. They never get all sweaty like closed-toe shoes. This is also true of sandals, of course.

5. They are super-comfy (provided you like the feeling of a bit of fabric wedged between your toes, which I do).

What's your take on flip flops?