It is completely normal to see surfers holding their boards, walking across PCH to catch some waves at Thalia or Rock Pile with nothing on their feet. Barefoot. We Laguna locals can always identify the tourist surfers because they have something on their feet. But Laguna footwear fashion is actually a “thing,” and you’d better have at least one of the three shoe brands all locals have.
Full disclosure: I am not sponsored by any of these brands. I love them all, and have them all, but receive nothing in return.
Rainbow Sandals
More specifically, flip flops by Rainbow Sandals. I have had pairs of Rainbows in my closet continuously since I was in high school - and that was a long time ago!
The Rainbow story started in the 1970s when Laguna resident Jay Longley "Sparky" made his first few pairs of comfortable rubber sandals in his garage and sold them through consignment and in Laguna Canyon. In the mid-1970s, he officially established the company and opened a store in nearby San Clemente (see the Rainbow Sandals story here). People in Laguna simply call these amazing shoes “Rainbows,” and I do not know a single person here who doesn’t own a pair.
Uggs
To many people, wearing a pair of sheepskin-lined boots around a beach town might seem crazy. In Laguna, this is the norm, strange as it may look. Every day, when I drop my son off at Laguna Beach High School, I see girls in tank tops and shorts sporting Ugg boots.
It’s June now, and Uggs are still everywhere, and on everybody! The original Uggs were the brainchild of Brian Smith, a native Australian who wondered why California surfers didn’t warm up their cold feet with a pair of sheepskin-lined shoes like Aussie surfers did (see the Ugg story here). Through ups and downs, his prototype finally caught on and became the staple piece of footwear for all girls and women in Laguna Beach. No kidding! My old-school mother just couldn’t bring herself to get a pair, but I wear mine with shorts, sweats, jeans and dresses. If I didn’t, people would think I was weird. Most of us have two pairs; boots and slip-ons.
Vans
Also a southern California startup, Vans are extremely popular in Laguna Beach. Actually, they’re popular everywhere, but especially in places where skateboarding is widespread and celebrated.
Laguna has a long history of skateboarding (it is kind of hilly here, a wonderland for skaters), so Vans really took off here in the 1970s and 1980s. Even when the brand took a dive, the shoes maintained a great reputation as the go to shoe for everybody. Their multiple colors, patterns, styles, and materials make for a versatile and personality-showing shoe. My son has at least three pairs in his closet right now, and another pair on his feet.
We Laguna Beach natives are pretty good at identifying the tourists in town. But if you want to try to blend in, at least wear one of these fashionable footwear choices on your next trip to town.
What is your favorite beach footwear?
Rainbow Sandals/Flip Flops
Uggs
Vans
Comments