The proper sandal etiquette depends entirely, of course, on where you work. If you’re a lawyer subject to one of Bay Street’s essay-length dress codes, sandals constitute a serious breach, even if they’re made of stingray skin and cost more than a family sedan. On the other hand, if your place of work is über-relaxed or über–fashion forward (last year’s gladiators were a must for budding fashion editors), covering your toes would be tantamount to a dress code infraction. For everyone in between, workplace policy can clarify matters quickly, as was the case last year when the City of Vaughan banned flip-flops among its office staff, much to the chagrin of its sandal-sporting mayor, Linda Jackson (better known lately for scandals than sandals). Provincial employees have more foot-flashing leeway: in 2007, Dalton McGuinty OK’d a casual code as part of a green initiative to decrease air conditioner usage during the summer. When deciding whether to toe or not to toe, it helps to follow a few tips: spare yourself and your colleagues the sock-sandal spectacle, leave the Crocs in the garden, and if you must don flip-flops, walk with care to minimize the beachy slappity-slap. And it goes without saying that regular upkeep is a must. If you’re not willing to pedicure, keep those dogs in a cage.
• Jason Klippenstein, the Annex
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