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Flip flops are perfect for the beach.
No seasonal shoe has garnered so much attention as the humble flip flop, which is actually not so much a shoe as a flimsy barrier between your foot and the ground.
In general, we think the criticism against the shoe is warranted, as the flip flop really does nothing to hide the gross feet you're likely not taking care of properly.
"Men's toes are, in general, unsightly," Donnie Kwak, editor at Complex magazine, told Mashable last year.
We will be the first to admit that the flip flop is not completely useless, however. It's actually perfectly suited for one thing and one thing only: wearing to the beach.
The beach is the place to feel as unencumbered as possible, so you shouldn't have to worry over whether your ugly feet are on display through the thong of the flip flop. The sandals are casual, which is exactly what you're going for when you're going to the most casual place on earth (apart from your bedroom). They're also cheap and comfortable, and you don't want to bring anything you might break or lose when you go for a swim.
They're perfectly suited to slip on and off, without anything fiddly to buckle or tie, and are superior to regular sandals in this aspect. They also make it easier to walk on sand, and since they aren't enclosed, you won't take sand with you when you leave the beach.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know.
The reason they're perfect for the beach is the exact reason you shouldn't wear them any other time: they require absolutely no effort to wear. At other times, you should look like you put a little bit of effort into your appearance, but for the beach, it's OK to not really bother.
So go ahead, live it up in your flip flops on the beach. Just keep them out of the city.