The Art of the Jandal

The jandal is the national footwear of New Zealand. Depending on where you are you may know them as flip-flops, thongs or shower shoes. The word jandal is a contraction of Japanese sandal, inspired by those worn by the Japanese swimming team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. My self nominated task for this summer is to master the art of wearing the jandle.

How hard can that be you say? Well here are mine - nothing flash, purchased from the local discount shoe place, note the parrot design. Usually worn to the corner shop and to avoid bindies (prickles) in the lawn.


And here is how you do it with a bit of class. Look closely - gold jandal colour co-ordinated with toenail polish. These lovely tootsies belong to a girl at work who was happy to demonstrate.

I have also noted the existence of the formal jandal - sequins, faux jewels and always the co-ordinated polish. Might need to work my way up to that. Needless to say this only works on girls.