Barefoot sandals - do they hide bare feet?

I'm new to barefooting, and want to ease in by wearing barefoot sandals. I've made some with black duct tape - I just split the pieces in half, width wise, and then put the sticky sides together. That way, they are the width of the straps on a pair of flip flops, and look like conventional sandals.

My only question is, if worn with long pants, how convincing are they? I've looked at myself in a full length mirror, and you can still see the underside of my soles when I walk - will that give me away at the grocery? Or is there just enough cover for me to shop bare?

Anyone have experiences with this sort of thing? I've set a target date, and will be testing this out soon...

 

I'd say my success rate is around 85%---always used with long pants. They're viable enough so that people who need to expend the mental energy to look at someone else tend to be adequately fooled. The remaining 15% is due to those people who are SO determined to "pierce the veil" that they approach me and ask---"Are they shoes?" I either ignore them, respond "yes," or make some general inquiry as to their manners. In a world of fools, NOTHING is foolproof.
Even W. learned that lesson.

 

I have a pair and they have worked for me. I remember shopping in a drug store and the manager on duty told me that they were cool looking "shoes". I do think that it is better to wear them with pants that just hang over your feet as shorts might give away your secret. Upon a quick glance, it looks as though you are wearing something on your feet and that's probably just enough for others to leave you alone.

 

Thanks to the both of you.

When your barefoot sandals have been noticed, would you say it's because of how you walk? My barefoot sandals are pretty convincing, except for the lack of a sole. That will give me away, I'm afraid.

 

I think the problem with barefoot sandals is that people who don't give a fuck will be fooled, but people who would care anyways will notice, and then it's more damning than going barefoot, you're walking around with fake sandals on your feet.

Just go in barefoot. It's no big fucking deal. If somebody asks tell them that you're going swimming, I don't fucking know. It's just not a big deal, and anybody who makes it one should fuck themselves.

Barefoot sandals may make less people notice, but when they do, do you think it makes you look better?

 

I don't get the shoe laws anyway. Wearing shoes would be for an individual's protection and those who feel they need to protect their feet will have on shoes. That would protect them from any foot disease they might think a barefooter would bring in. Seems that only other barefooters would be concerned about that.

 

95% of the problem is in the mind. You're self conscious, you act weird, people stare. I've lived in the US and UK and to absolutely honest people have other things to think about and care little what you decide to wear on your feet.
The other 5% well like Roo quite elequently put it, they can fuck off.


Shayla x

 

What they said. Most people don't give a shit; those who do can etc.

MOMMY, CAN I GO BAREFOOT TODAY? PLEASE?

 

Yes of course my darling. But remember, watch out for the mean ol' manager in Wallmart :bobby:

Shayla x

 

Thanks. This post summed up my own fears. I can't bring myself to go completely barefoot - it just seems too embarrassing. But getting caught with bf sandals would look worse, probably.

 

It's only embarassing if you act like it is.

Feeling guilty and like you're hiding something is something others pick up on. There's nothing wrong with not wearing shoes, don't act like there is.

You can really take the wind out of asshole's sails when you're calm, matter-of-fact, and don't even raise an eyebrow at their remarks or accusations or claims or whatever.

I simply don't see anything embarrassing. If you look at it that way, you'd never be "ready" to stop wearing barefoot sandals. And this is another reason I don't like them, they're just a crutch to let people absorb embarrassment, when the problem is that they ARE embarrassed in the first place. It's not something you get used to, it's just not something you should care about.

If it helps you, pretend you have an excuse. Even just to yourself. Again, think that you're going swimming, or to work in a garden, or whatever, and you just stopped off at the store on your way. No biggie. Wear your swim shorts. People won't care, and it's not so much that they can see your reason for going barefoot, it's that you know you have one and are comfortable with it, and they pick up on you being at ease and feeling normal.

 

I'm gonna have to agree. It feels nice to be barefoot. It feels weird in ur mind at first like everyone is looking and judging negatively. Maybe they are. Who cares. The more u go round everywhere barefoot the more normal it becomes. 2 years ago when it got warm I followed someone else's example and threw out my shoes. Had to drive everywhere barefoot. Had to do everything barefoot....dentist, dr, bank, mall, whatever. I survived and liked it enough to do it last year and started this year. It really wont kill you from mortification. If I get tossed out, I go elsewhere. Just try it for like 4 days....no shoes ever. You will probably start off for somewhere and realize....O yeah I'm barefoot with no backup....o well.

 

Didn't your work get in the way of being barefoot 24/7?

 

Not everyone has a job that insists on shoes. I work, I have a job and don't wear shoes. For other people their shoes are just part of the work uniform.
We all have our choices and ultimately it's about being happy. Wear shoes/don't wear shoes..whatever. People really think too hard about it.

Shayla x

 

I just don't worry about putting anything on my feet. Most people don't care. If anyone does look I just ignore them usually. The worst thing for me is when little kids point and say out loud "look that guy has no shoes!" Then I get a little self conscious, but I just pretend not to notice and go about my business.

One of these days if I notice a kid point and about to say something I want to turn to them and say "NOPE! Not wearing shoes!" and then be on my way. Imagine the looks that would get.

 

I try to be obviously open to discussion about not wearing shoes, if kids say things. If you don't seem like you'll eat them, they might ask you why, and you can put some satanic barefoot ideas in their impressionable little heads, before their parents pretend to smile and whisk them away. At least, impress upon them that it's okay to wear (or not wear) what one wants. Hopefully it will stick around in a back corner of their mind.

Why would it do that?

I go to work barefoot every day.

Sometimes people whine about it if there's tools or heavy equipment about, but it never has any real effect.

If you're a valuable employee, (and don't work in retail or something crappy like that) you can generally get away with being you, especially if you've been there a while. Pull your weight, and people won't care too much what you look like.

 

The key thing to remember is that if someone has a problem with you being barefoot, it says more about them than it does you.

For me, I'm long past caring what people think - be self-confident, assertive and most of all enjoy the freedom barefooting will give you.

Sadly on the subject of work, I have to kowtow to The Man, although my slip-on slip-off sandals are off as soon as I'm sat under the desk - my employers have a strict code of conduct on standard of dress, although perversely they don't give a fart about my piercings. Weird thing, convention.... Still as soon as I'm outta there, shoes are off and I'm on my way again

 

If you can go barefoot to work, then great! I guess my point was not everyone has that luxury of being themselves especially when they work for others.

 

Well fake sandals would look funny in my opinion. I never liked sandals I prefer flip flops your feet are more opened out in flip flops than sandals. If need be and you don't want to get noticed or bothered by anybody unfortunately I say just get your self a cheap pair of flip flops rather than making stuff but if you want the barefoot exp, then don't wear anything.

 

Not to mention, we have an instinct to repress. Even if we consciously know it's wrong, and even if it's something that we used to like (a lot, and presumably think should be legal), like the president and weed. When we're in a position to be able to stop others, as soon as we no longer do it ourselves we tend to stomp on everyone else.