Over the past two years, flip flops have become increasingly more popular at MICDS. What began as a Girls Varsity Lacrosse initiation, has spread in popularity across the Upper School. This trend has sparked debate over its professionalism between haters and supporters.
In the spring of 2025, the first flip flops started making their appearances in the Upper School, worn by the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team. According to Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team captain, Amelia Mackin ‘26, wearing flip flops to school served as a bonding experience for the team.
“We thought it’d be fun to wear flip flops sometimes, because last lacrosse season it wasn’t as normal, and so we thought it would be kind of unique,” Mackin said. In fact, the team began establishing mandatory days where all teammates were required to wear flip flops to school. “Tech-Toe Tuesday,” Mackin said. “We would wear our full Nike Techs and flip flops to school on Tuesday, and it was a mandatory initiation for our team.” The team also celebrates the less formal Flip Flop Friday. “I would just wear flip flops and say it was Flip Flop Friday,” Mackin said.
Technically, wearing open-toed shoes is against the Upper School dress code; however, many students seem to be getting away with them every day. Daniel George, Dean of the Class of 2026 is lenient on open-toed shoes. “If this is the worst thing in the world that [students] are doing, and we’re still focusing on learning, then I’m happy,” George said.
“I’ve gotten a snarky comment from Dean George, maybe, but I’ve never actually been dressed coded [for flip flops],” Mackin said.
George does not penalize students for wearing flip flops, however, he does have opinions on their professionalism.
“I think there are ways to look nice, for example, if you are wearing a very sharp flip-flop that looks more like a sandal and looks really nice,” George said. “I think if you wear something that you would normally wear for beach wear, it makes you look a little scruffy, but that’s the student’s choice.”
Since the spring of 2025, the popularity of flips flops has spread outside of just the Girls Lacrosse community. Abby Ferris ‘27 is not a member of the Girls Lacrosse team, however, she too has caught on to wearing flip flops to school.
“I wear [flip flops] a lot in the springtime,” Ferris said.
Some students however, are less open to the idea of flip flops being normalized at MICDS. Edia O’Basuyi believes flip flops to be too unprofessional for school. “Beach flip flops shouldn’t be worn at school, because I personally don’t like seeing peoples feet,” O’Basuyi said. “But also, I think that it’s also a professional atmosphere you shouldn’t have your dogs out.”
Students across the Upper School have noticed the increasing popularity of this type of footwear.
“I’ve noticed a lot that it’s increasing,” O’Basuyi said. “A lot more people are deciding to wear flip flops or sandals to school more often, especially since it’s getting warmer out.”
Anna Delendorf ‘26 has observed their increasing popularity as well.
“Everyone started wearing them Junior year,” Delendorf said.
This upsets some of those who are against the flip flop trend. “I think that [the dress code] should be a little bit more implemented, especially when it comes to open-toed shoes,” O’Basuyi said. “We should wear shoes that look very professional”.
However, many students find benefits in the ease of wearing flip flops to school. Ferris said, “they’re comfortable and honestly, I’m just too lazy to put on socks in the morning.”
“I’m kind of low on socks,” Delendorf said.
