A symbol of life in Rio and across Brazil

🌞 What’s So Special About Brazil Flip Flops?

Hi, guys! Since we’ve gotten to know each other by now, do you mind if I slip into my comfortable shoes? In this video Dica, we’ll talk about the Carioca’s passion for Flip Flops in Rio!

But before we jump into Rio’s unique chinelo culture, let’s talk about something bigger:
flip flops in Brazil aren’t just footwear — they’re a national identity.

Across all regions of Brazil, chinelos symbolize:

• freedom
• comfort
• simplicity
• connection to nature
• the sunny, laid-back way Brazilians enjoy life

In Rio de Janeiro, this spirit is even stronger. Cariocas practically live in flip flops, and they’ve become one of the most recognizable symbols of the city’s lifestyle.

Havaianas: A Global Must-Have

Did you know that in 2025 the Brazilian Havaianas became the most desired product in the world according to Lyst Index? Our everyday footwear surpassed big brands such as Nike and Saint Laurent.

That’s a big deal because Lyst’s ranking isn’t a “vibes list”: it’s built by filtering more than eight million items and weighing signals like searches, page views, interactions, sales, and social media mentions. In other words, Havaianas didn’t just “trend in Brazil” — it showed up as a global obsession, ahead of plenty of luxury names.

This moment is part of a wider trend: Brazilian culture is having a global fashion moment, and Rio is right at the center of it — the city even hit an all-time tourism record in 2025. And if there’s one everyday symbol that instantly screams “Brazil” anywhere in the world, it’s a pair of Brazilian flip-flops.

Where Brazilians Wear Flip Flops in Everyday Life

Did you buy your chinelos and now you are not sure where to use them? Let us help!

🏖️ At the Beach

The most Brazilian place of all to wear chinelos.
From Rio to Bahia to Santa Catarina — nobody wears sneakers on the sand.

🛍️ Shopping & Errands

Supermarkets, pharmacies, street markets… chinelos are accepted everywhere. And if you’re planning to explore the stores here, wearing flip flops while shopping in Rio de Janeiro is not only normal — it’s practically a cultural experience.

🏡 At Home

Chinelos = Brazilian slippers.
People use them indoors, outdoors, and in every transition space between.

🎉 Social Gatherings

Backyard barbecue? Birthday? Casual bar?
Flip flops are part of the dress code.

🚎 Commuting & Traveling

Whether traveling by bus, car, or plane, many Brazilians prefer chinelos for comfort.

❤️ Flip Flops and Brazilian Culture: Why Cariocas Love “Chinelos”

Flip flops in Rio aren’t just a practical choice — they’re an expression of the carioca identity. In Rio, people don’t dress to impress — they dress to live. Chinelos match perfectly with sunshine, ocean breeze, samba rhythms, and life outdoors.

Flip Flops in Rio

You don’t have to go far to find someone wearing Flip-Flops in the middle of the city. Rio de Janeiro is actually famous for having some of the most relaxed Brazilians, or folgado as we say around here.

You’ll see that Flip-Flops in Rio aren’t just for going to the beach or hanging out at home, we wear them pretty much anywhere. In Rio, it’s all about feeling comfortable. For example, Cariocas wear Flip-Flops to go to the shopping mall, work, or sometimes even while we’re sleeping

Famous Flip Flops from Brazil: Havaianas, Ipanema & Farm Rio

⭐ Havaianas

The global superstar of Brazilian footwear.
Recently highlighted as one of the most desired Brazilian products worldwide, proving how deeply chinelos represent Brazil’s image.

🌺 Ipanema

Stylish, modern, and popular across Latin America and Europe.

🌈 Farm Rio

Farm Rio collaborates with Havaianas to produce colorful, tropical models full of Brazilian energy.

🧉 Other Brazilian Favorites

Regional brands vary across the country, showing how widespread chinelo culture really is.

You might even notice how chinelos are part of many casual outfits here. If you want to describe these looks in Portuguese, check out our guides on men’s clothing and women’s clothing in Portuguese — super useful when you’re shopping or talking about what to wear.

The Online Backlash

But popularity also brings scrutiny — especially in a country as politically polarized as Brazil. In late December 2025, Havaianas faced a brief online boycott debate after a New Year TV ad was accused of carrying a political “message,” even though it was built around a wordplay.

Here’s the core of the controversy: the actress says she doesn’t want people to start 2026 “on the right foot” (com o pé direito). In Portuguese, that expression usually means “to start well,” but some viewers interpreted “right” literally as a jab at the political right, while others saw it as just a playful motivational line about starting the year “with both feet” (all in).

This reaction also fits a broader pattern in Brazil’s current climate: almost everything gets read through political lenses, and brands (and celebrities) end up being scrutinized by both sides of the debate. If you want quick context, see our guide to Brazilian politics, our news on Bolsonaro’s sentencing, and our Lula profile.

Here is the ad:

And here you can read what Fernanda Torres said:

“Desculpas, mas eu não quero que você comece 2026 com o pé direito. Não é nada contra a sorte, mas vamos combinar que sorte não depende de você. Depende da sorte. O que eu desejo é que você comece o ano novo com os dois pés. Os dois pés na porta, os dois pés na estrada. Os dois pés na jaca. Os dois pés onde você quiser — vai com tudo. De corpo e alma, da cabeça aos pés. Havaianas, todo mundo usa, todo mundo ama!“

“Sorry, but I don’t want you to start 2026 on the right foot. It’s nothing against luck, but let’s be honest: luck doesn’t depend on you. It depends on luck. What I want is for you to start the new year with both feet. Both feet through the door, both feet on the road. Both feet in it. Both feet wherever you want — go all in. With body and soul, from head to toe. Havaianas, everyone wears them, everyone loves them!”

In other words: yes, it’s a global success story — but “being everywhere” also means becoming part of the conversation (and sometimes the controversy).

🤔 Flip Flop Etiquette in Brazil: When Is It Too Casual?

❓ Can I wear flip flops to the mall?

Yes — totally normal.

❓ Restaurants?

Casual: yes.
Fancy places: better to avoid chinelos.

❓ University or language school?

Most allow them, including Rio & Learn. And after one year studying with us and wearing your flip flops you are already a brazilian!

❓ Parties?

Barbecue: yes.
Wedding: absolutely not. 😅

❓ Do Brazilians judge people wearing flip flops?

Never. It’s part of the culture.

And if you want inspiration from Brazilian culture, check out how people dress in Brazilian soap operas, where fashion often becomes national trends.

🔮 Flip Flops and Brazilian Superstitions: Never Leave Them Upside Down

If you spend some time in Brazil, you’ll probably hear someone suddenly say:

“Vira esse chinelo!”
Turn that flip flop over!

That’s because, according to a very common Brazilian superstition, leaving a flip flop upside down brings bad luck — especially to your mother. Yes, seriously.

Many Brazilians believe that an upside-down chinelo can bring:

• bad energy
• arguments
• or even bad things happening to family members

So if you accidentally leave your flip flops flipped over on the floor, someone will quickly rush to fix it — sometimes without even explaining why. It’s just one of those things “everyone knows”.

This belief is so widespread that even people who say they’re not superstitious will still turn the chinelo over… just in case. 😅

If you’re curious about this and other fascinating beliefs that shape daily life here, check out our Dica on Brazilian Superstitions, where we explain the meanings behind these traditions

Chinelos x Sandálias: What’s the Difference?

it’s important to understand something that confuses a lot of foreigners:

In Brazil, “chinelo” and “sandália” are NOT the same thing.

We use both words for open shoes, but each one has its own meaning:

👣 Chinelos

Chinelos are the classic flip flops — the everyday Brazilian shoe.
They have:

• a simple rubber sole,
• a “Y-shaped” strap (like Havaianas),
• a super casual vibe.

Brazilians wear chinelos everywhere: at home, at the beach, at the supermarket, on the street…
They’re the symbol of our lifestyle.

👡 Sandálias

Sandálias are sandals, not flip flops.
They can be:

• dressy,
• stylish,
• made of leather, fabric, or more structured materials,
• with straps around the ankle or heel.

Some are casual, but many are used for going out, parties, or more formal occasions — places where chinelos might be too relaxed.

🧠 Easy Rule to Remember

If it’s soft, simple, rubbery, and super casual → chinelo
If it has straps, designs, or looks a bit dressy → sandália

Talking About Flip Flops in Portuguese

Portuguese	English
o chinelo	flip flop
a sandália	sandal
o dedão	big toe
o calcanhar	heel

🗨️ Example Sentences

Portuguese	English
Eu sempre uso chinelos no calor.	I always wear flip flops in the heat.
Você comprou esses chinelos onde?	Where did you buy those flip flops?
Esses chinelos são muito confortáveis!	These flip flops are very comfortable!
O dedão fica bem preso no chinelo.	The big toe stays nicely in place in the flip flop.
Essa sandália machuca o meu calcanhar.	This sandal hurts my heel.

Typical, right? A beautiful sandal that betrays your poor heel the moment you walk five steps…
If you want to learn more about the body parts you’re blaming when your shoes hurt, take a look at our Dica on Body Parts in Portuguese

Rio Culture: Brazil Lives in Chinelos

From the beaches of Rio to the streets of São Paulo and the villages of the Northeast, flip flops are part of Brazilian identity. They represent comfort, freedom, and the warm, easygoing spirit that defines the country.

And if you’re planning to visit Brazil — or live here as a student — trust us:

your chinelos will become your new best friends.

👉 Want to dive deeper into Brazilian culture and improve your Portuguese?

Join our Private Portuguese Classes and learn in the most natural, fun, carioca way possible! 🇧🇷💛

So, Flip-Flops in Rio are an incredibly important part of our rich culture. If you spend enough time here, you’ll definitely find yourself wearing them a lot.

And that’s it, guys! Hope you enjoyed the video, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Tchau tchau!

Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Brazilian Soap Operas
Body Parts in Portuguese
Shopping in Rio de Janeiro
Men’s Clothing in Portuguese
Women’s Clothing in Portuguese