Hi, Fodorites! I'm leaving for Rome on Sunday, and I'm trying to decide whether to take and wear my flip-flops for sight-seeing if the weather gets really hot, or if they'll be a big NO there. I can't seem to find nice comfortable walking shoes for summer weather... Most walking shoes are on the sturdy side...
Thanks,
Anne

Is this a serious question? Surely you can find some nice white trainers that are comfortable.

I wear sandals.

I guess you're joking about the white trainers. I wouldn't wear white trainers if they paid me to!

I wore Teva flip-flops a lot in Spain last summer, and plan to take them with me to Italy. I personally found them quite comfortable, but I rotate shoes throughout the trip. The worse part, for me, about my Teva flip-flops were how dirty my feet were at the end of the day. To me the most important thing regarding shoes on vacation is comfort. Do what is most comfortable to you, and if that means flip-flops, then wear flip-flops. No matter what, if you plan on doing a lot of walking your feet will be tired at the end of the day.

Yes, I'm joking about the white trainers (even though I own a pair).

You seem to be new here, Anne. There seems to be some consensus here that white trainers and flip-flops are to be avoided, especially on city visits.

Some of the gang here are very interested in footwear, and will give as much advice as you can handle on what sandals are good to wear and look appropriate in places like Rome. Don't ask me: I'm too scruffy to be taken seriously.

I remembered seeing a recent thread on this, though I haven't read it myself. But if you're interested...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34987651

Thank you, guys. You know, life was much easier before my husband turned me into someone who cares about style... Now, packing is a week-long nightmare!

Thanks djman102! The thread is terrific!

Fashion and comfort are not mutually exclusive

Flip flops are IMO not the best choice for Rome. The ruins are dusty and feet will get filthy.

I bring a pair of woven leather slides with a padded footbed and they are attractive and funtional/.

Anne1975~~ just put the words "flip flops" in the search engine here on Fodor's.

You will find 223(!!!!) different threads containing that text.

Can ya believe it?

Seriously, for me flip flops do not give enough support for all the walking I do when I travel. I do pack flip flops but for around the hotel room, or maybe in the evenings. I also take 1-2 pairs of something that is sturdier for walking during the day, like sandals, sneakers, whatever.

Glad the thread was helpful, anne. As suze points out, you can find all kinds of information from previous discussions here.

Having lived in the Middle East for 2 years now, I wish I could wear sandals everywhere. We'll be in Paris in a few weeks...maybe I'll do a search on "sandals Paris" and see how serious a faux pas it would be!

Buon viaggio!

Chances are you are going to be doing a lot of walking. You need shoes with support, a lot of support.

Flip-flops??? Flip-flops??? Flip-flops are cheap and tacky. Flip-flops are the "crack" of the shoe world. Even Whitney Houston wouldn't be caught dead in flip-flops. Can't you spring for some nice espadrilles?? You can buy some on the Via Condotti.

When I see people walking around the streets of Philly wearing flip-flops I want to shoot them with my Holland & Holland hunting rifle.

Welcome back Marginal. Oh how I have missed your natty fashion advice over the past while.

How I love espadrilles! I just can't find low heeled ones any more or I would wear them with all my skirts and dresses. Love the polka dotted ones but the platforms, not so good for cobblestones.

Just got back from Rome, saw lots of flip flops. I am not talking cheap rubbery ones, the ones I saw were more substantial. Some of them were downright cute.

I personally would not wear them because my feet would be filthy and they do not provide support. My daughter and her friend (who both grew up in Hawaii) wore them as they claim they can only walk in slippers!