Hawaii chappals

How many of this generation are familiar with the term Hawaii chappals? They were an integral part of our ‘growing-up’ years. Footwear for all occasions barring school where we had to wear shoes to go with the uniform. Here again, in Government schools, Hawaii chappals ruled supreme.

Ha, this one ….. bathroom slippers, we know this the youngster of today might say or perhaps home slippers if you choose to call it so. What? Slippers inside the house and bathroom? As far as baby boomers and Gen X go, that would be sacrilege. Certainly for me, yes – slippers inside the house NO. Only exception, during the cold winters in Delhi, yes it will be a necessity to keep your soles warm even if inside the house. When a youngster goes out today it will be in a flashy Puma or Nike but in the seventies and eighties, it was Hawaii chappals all the way. So easy to slip on and off, no hassles of laces or velcro ( unknown those days) and while playing an impromptu game of cricket with a tennis ball, the chappal would be slipped off as barefoot running was more effective ( Ask some of our national athletes of that time). Above all, Hawaii chappals were extremely cost-effective, the original VFM buys. While Hawaii chappals were branded by Bata, there were many pretenders with similar models which were cheaper still. Long-lasting and the only problem which arose with repeated use was that the straps would break. No issues, get a new pair of straps, fix them on the chappals, and they were as good as new.

I was in Mumbai or Bombay as it was then called in the eighties. Now into employment and affordability was not an issue but comfort and ease of maintenance was. I continued to use a pair of Hawaii chappals for short, casual walks. One day a strap in my chappal came off. Old habits die hard. Went to a shoe store and asked for a pair of straps. The shopkeeper brought out a pair and spelt out the price. Although a tad expensive than in Chennai, I said okay and asked him to put on the new straps on my chappals. This was par for the course in Chennai or Delhi. Here, the shopkeeper looked me up and said that I had to go to a cobbler to have the rubber straps fitted/inserted. My first experience with professional specialisation or was it dignity of labour? Talked about this to a colleague and he said that was always the way in Mumbai.

Cut to the present – I do not use a Hawaii chappal now. Why? More comfortable with a semi-closed, velco-strapped sandals or sneakers. The world however is moving the other way. Now you have youngsters making a casual style statement with colorful models of Hawaii chappals going by the name flip-flops. Material used and the looks have become more glamorous but the basic design is the same. Wondering if I have to find a colorful pair of flip-flops and attempt a style statement.