Flip-flops, often despised in the fashion world, have a different significance in Orange County, California. They represent a carefree and idyllic lifestyle associated with the beach and leisure. In this region, flip-flops are seen as a symbol of a well-lived life, with wearers proudly displaying their worn-out pairs. However, when the author moved to New York City for graduate school, they realized that flip-flops were not considered appropriate footwear in the city. The contrast between the laid-back Southern California culture and the sophisticated New York fashion scene made the author feel out of place.
